NHL Free Agents 2011: How the Flyers Could Make a Serious Run at Steven Stamkos

As the Lightning continue to sign players and add new faces to the roster, one notable name is missing, Steven Stamkos. But there's no doubt there's multiple teams trying to get the young player's attention, including the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers.

While it is widely believed Stamkos' contract is just being finalized, how can the Flyers snatch Stamkos out from under the Lightning's nose? Let's take a look.

No. 5: Point out the Blend of Youth and Experience

The Flyers have some experienced hands on the team with Chris Pronger and Jaromir Jagr but they also have a group of younger guys that also have NHL experience.

So while this isn't a super young team, it does have the magic mix of those that know what they are doing and will be playing for quite a while and those that have been there, done that and can provide leadership to the younger guys when they need help.

The group is also full of talented players that should quickly rise to the top next season.

No. 4: This Isn't a Normal Rebuilding Year

There is no doubt the Flyers are in rebuilding mode. They have picked up some big names (Jagr and Ilya Bryzgalov), traded other big names away (Jeff Carter) and overall are changing their looks.

But unlike other rebuilding efforts that may take a few years to kick in, the success from this rebuild should see results almost instantly.

While a rebuild may throw Stamkos away in most instances, this sort of rebuild with the names on the roster may encourage him just a little bit more.

No. 3: A Solid Defense and Offense

While many teams can offer this, the Flyers are strong on both ends of the ice and also have a pretty good set of people in the net.

Yes, the Flyers sent away some of their cornerstone players this year but they still have Danny Briere, Claude Giroux, etc. on their offensive end and Chris Pronger among others on their defensive end.

It's a solid set of players that only enhance the team.

No. 2: Their Division

While the Lightning are a competitive team, they are in a pretty weak division. The Flyers not only have a good team, they are in a division that constantly tests them.

While Stamkos gets attention with the Lightning, going up to a more competitive division not only gets him more fans, it also brings him more into the public eye with sponsors and main stream media.

While divisions don't really matter overall in the NHL with teams playing outside of their division a lot throughout the season, going to a division with a higher interest rate helps his image and can be built on even more by the Flyers organization which is a win-win for both sides.

No. 1: Their Record

While the Flyers didn't do so well in the playoffs this year, they did finish first in their division and third in the league with 106 points.

The team did make it to the second round of the playoffs before being beat by the eventual Stanley Cup winners and ending on a disappointing note.

In 2009-2010, the team went to the Stanley Cup Finals after a surprising comeback during the playoffs.

While the Flyers may not be the favorite for the Cup next year, they could easily convince Stamkos that he has a good shot to make it all the way with the group of players he'll have surrounding him and the previous success of the Flyers training staff getting the team to the postseason.