Ranking the Potential Destinations for Steven Stamkos
The contract negotiations between the Tampa Bay Lightning and pending free-agent center Steven Stamkos is attracting considerable interest among NHL fans and pundits. Some, including The Tampa Tribune's Erik Erlendsson, are speculating over potential destinations for the superstar sniper if he isn't re-signed before the Feb. 29 trade deadline.
As the Lightning hope to return to the Stanley Cup Final this season, it seems doubtful they'll trade Stamkos. It's also unlikely he'll waive his no-movement clause. However, if negotiations break down between now and the Feb. 29 trade deadline, it's possible he could be on the move.
A two-time winner of the Maurice Richard Trophy, Stamkos is among the NHL's top goal scorers. If he becomes available, there will be considerable interest from rival clubs. However, only a handful potential teams have the resources (salary-cap space, depth in promising players and draft picks) to land him.
The following slideshow ranks the potential destinations for Steven Stamkos. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
8. Carolina Hurricanes
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Why the Carolina Hurricanes? After years mired in mediocrity, big changes could be coming to the Hurricanes. Should they part ways with pending free-agents center Eric Staal and goaltender Cam Ward, the Hurricanes will have plenty of salary-cap room to retool their roster.
Potential cost: The Lightning could seek defenseman Justin Faulk to provide a right-handed shot to their blue line. They could also inquire about promising rearguard Noah Hanifin or young forwards Elias Lindholm or Victor Rask. A first-round pick and a top prospect could also be part of the deal.
Rental or long term: If the Hurricanes pursue Stamkos, he will be considered a long-term pickup. Even as a budget club, they'll have to spend to reach the salary-cap minimum. If landing an expensive, long-term deal is important to Stamkos, the Hurricanes could afford it.
7. San Jose Sharks
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Why the San Jose Sharks? Long-time superstars Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are nearing the end of their careers. The Sharks must soon replace one or both, and Marleau could be willing to accept a trade, according to CSN Bay Area's Kevin Kurz. Stamkos might be a good fit there. If the Lightning trade him, a Western Conference team would be a preferable destination.
Potential cost: The Lightning won't be interested in a Stamkos-for-Marleau swap. A young forward such as Tomas Hertl would have to be part of the package. The Sharks would also have to include a couple of prospects. They lack a first-round pick in 2016, having dealt that to the Boston Bruins.
Rental or long term? The Sharks would be looking long term, especially if they can move out Marleau in a separate deal. Acquiring Stamkos via trade will take some creative horsetrading by general manager Doug Wilson. He does have a history of making bold moves—the most notable being his acquisition of Thornton over a decade ago.
6. Arizona Coyotes
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Why the Arizona Coyotes? They're a rebuilding team stocked with young talent such as Oliver Ekman-Larssen, Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. New ownership has brought an end to years of uncertainty over the club's future in Arizona. The Coyotes could benefit from a talented, experienced leader like Stamkos.
Potential cost: Getting Stamkos will cost the Coyotes one of their good young players. They could offer up right wing Mikkel Boedker, who's eligible this summer for unrestricted free-agent status. They could also dangle the first-round pick they received from the New York Rangers in the Keith Yandle deal. A right-handed defenseman such as Michael Stone or Connor Murphy might also interest the Lightning.
Rental or long term: The Coyotes have the cap room to make it a long-term acquisition. However, that depends on how high ownership is willing to go over next season's salary-cap minimum. If the team is willing to make the investment, it could come up with a lucrative long-term contract for Stamkos.
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5. New York Rangers
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Why the Rangers? They lack depth in superstar scoring punch necessary to win a championship. Adding Stamkos could boost left wing Rick Nash's sluggish production. The Rangers have a history of pursuing big-name talent. They also have a recent trade history with the Lightning, swapping Martin St. Louis for Ryan Callahan at the 2014 trade deadline.
Potential cost: The Lightning could seek right-shooting defenseman Dylan McIlrath as part of the return. The Rangers could counter with defenseman Keith Yandle, though he's a lefty and also a free agent this summer. Center J.T. Miller and prospect left wing Pavel Buchnevich could also interest the Bolts.
Rental or long term? Unless the Rangers can free up over $10 million per season in salary-cap space, Stamkos would be a rental. Even acquiring him as a playoff rental could take some creative wheeling and dealing. It would also mortgage part of the Rangers' future. However, if they want to push for a championship this year, that's what it could take.
4. Nashville Predators
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Why the Nashville Predators? Despite the recent acquisition of center Ryan Johansen, the Predators still need more scoring punch. The production of forwards Mike Fisher, Colin Wilson and Craig Smith is down this season. The Predators need a superstar scorer to finally lead them on a Stanley Cup run.
Potential cost: The return could include a promising left wing such as Kevin Fiala or Jimmy Vesey plus the Predators' first-round pick in 2016. Right-shooting defenseman Ryan Ellis could also interest the Lightning. They could also ask for another player, prospect or draft pick to be included in the package.
Rental or long term? The Predators tend to be a budget team, so Stamkos could be a playoff rental. Re-signing him will take up a big chunk of payroll, perhaps more than they're willing to pay.
3. Buffalo Sabres
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Why the Buffalo Sabres? The Sabres are a rebuilding club stocked with promising young talent. General manager Tim Murray isn't afraid to make bold moves. The Sabres also have lots of salary-cap space to spend next season and a wealthy owner keen on building a winner. If the Toronto Maple Leafs pass on bringing Stamkos home, the Sabres could be a good alternative.
Potential cost: The Lightning could inquire about rookie center Jack Eichel, but the Sabres won't part with him. Right-shooting blueliners like Rasmus Ristolainen or Zach Bogosian could be of interest to the Bolts in a package deal, along with center Sam Reinhart. They'll also want the Sabres' 2016 first-round selection.
Rental or long term: Definitely long term. If Murray is able to acquire Stamkos, he'll re-sign the center to an expensive and lengthy new deal.
2. St. Louis Blues
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Why the St. Louis Blues? Despite being a dominant regular-season club in recent years, the Blues have come up well short in the playoffs. Timely offense appears to be part of the problem. Putting Stamkos between young wingers Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz could be a dynamite combination that puts the Blues over the top.
Potential cost: With Stamkos off the Lightning's books, that would free up room to take on right-shooting defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and his $4.25 million cap hit next season. If the Blues won't part with Shattenkirk, the Lightning could also have interest in rookie center Robby Fabbri or young blueliner Colton Parayko as part of a package deal with picks and prospects.
Rental or long term? It depends upon moving Shattenkirk and parting ways this summer with pending free-agent center David Backes. That might free up salary-cap room to re-sign Stamkos to a long-term extension. Schwartz's status as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights could complicate things.
1. Toronto Maple Leafs
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Why the Toronto Maple Leafs? They're a rebuilding club with deep-pocketed ownership and plenty of salary-cap room after this season. According to a 2008 bio in The Hockey News, the Leafs were Stamkos' favorite team when he was growing up in Markham, Ontario. The Toronto media's been buzzing all season over the prospect of Stamkos "coming home" by joining the Leafs.
Potential cost: While the Lightning could prefer not dealing Stamkos to a division rival, they might be tempted for the right price. It would be steep. The Bolts could demand defenseman Morgan Rielly (though he's a left-handed shot) as part of the package, along with a top prospect such as William Nylander or Mitch Marner and the Leafs' first-round pick in 2016.
Rental or long term? Long term. Big time. If Stamkos is willing to accept a trade to the Leafs, they'll happily pony up whatever he wants on a new contract. While the Leafs are in the midst of a rebuild, Stamkos could consider them since they appear to be heading in the right direction under head coach Mike Babcock.
Player info via NHL.com. Salary info via General Fanager.
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