NHL Free Agency: Best Landing Spots for UFA Steven Stamkos

This is the offseason of Stamkos.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos is the most coveted pending unrestricted free agent in recent memory, and by the time Friday's free-agent frenzy signing period begins, the 26-year-old sniper who has 312 goals and 562 points in 569 regular-season NHL games will likely have had 30 teams kicking his tires.

According to TSN's James Duthie, a good dozen or more are already chatting with Stamkos' agent during the current window of discussion allowed leading up to the July 1 signing period. Of those, half can be considered legitimate landing spots for the center, who will be 33 or 34 and in line for another potential payoff when his next contract ends.

Let's take a look at the best landing spots for Stamkos based on things like money, the potential to win championships and the quality of hockey environment.

THE LONGSHOTS

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Pros: Playing with the Sedin twins is an attractive proposition, and the luxury of playing against the second tier of defenders could open up some promising matchups for Stamkos. Vancouver is a major Canadian market with a lot of opportunity for Stamkos' personal "brand," and the coast offers a great lifestyle. Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Sun says the team is determined to spend in free agency.

Cons: The window to win for the Canucks may already have closed. The addition of Stamkos would help the cause but could handcuff them in terms of other improvements. When it comes to money, the Canucks can be competitive but certainly don't have the room to be the top bidder. 

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Bottom line: Canucks general manager Jim Benning took one on the chin for talking about going after Stamkos before the "recruitment" period, getting fined $50,0000, according to the Canadian Press (via TSN) for his comments ahead of the NHL draft. Getting Stamkos would be even more costly. They'll take their shot, but ultimately, it's unlikely Stamkos will feel too confident about the Canucks' chances.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Pros: The Isles have John Tavares, another NHL superstar who actually played on a line with Stamkos in a summer league when the two were growing up. The team is on the rise, making it to the second round of the playoffs this year. The money is there under the cap if ownership wants to spend it. 

Cons: Tavares has two years left on his current deal and will be due significantly more in his next one, so signing Stamkos might handcuff the Isles a couple of years down the road—especially since they would be dependent on young players on early contracts to round out the lineup in the meantime. 

Bottom line: Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman mentioned the Isles as a potential and somewhat quiet suitor on Calgary radio Sportsnet 960. While the idea hasn't taken off in big circles, he wasn't alone in hypothesizing. The NHL.com's Brian Compton suggested on SNY.tv's Point Blank Podcast the Isles could be in play if Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen were no longer looking like they could be re-signed.  

BUFFALO SABRES

Pros: Billionaire owner Terry Pegula wants general manager Tim Murray to land a big fish and isn't shy on the spending front, according to Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo Sports. The rebuilding Sabres have plenty of money to part with and may be able to offer Stamkos the contract of his dreams. Buffalo is close to his Southern Ontario home, and the team is on the upswing.

Cons: The Sabres aren't going to be serious playoff contenders quickly just because of the addition of Stamkos. And the presence of top middle men in Jack Eichel and Ryan O'Reilly means someone would have to play out of position for Stamkos to be in the top-six group of forwards. The proximity to his home is nice, but the hockey market in Buffalo doesn't compare to the mecca of Toronto. 

Bottom line: Murray told reporters he has been in touch with Stamkos, via WGR 550 Sports Radio, and there's no doubt the idea of double-digit salary (maybe as much as $12 million) for seven seasons is extremely attractive. But the Sabres are one of those teams that drive up a price on a free agent, not the type that is in a position to land one of such high value. 

THE CONTENDERS

NEW YORK RANGERS

Pros: It's hard to beat the Big Apple when it comes to endorsement possibilities and headlines, at least south of the Canadian border. The city is an attractive spot for life away from hockey. They had a disappointing spring but still have a solid group of players, led by goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. 

LM Otero/Associated Press/Associated Press

Cons: With a number of important Rangers in need of new contracts with raises attached—Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes—there may not be enough left in the coffers to make Stamkos a legitimate offer in line with the others he will receive. The team may not be as competitive in the coming years as Lundqvist declines in play, and that may already have started. 

Bottom line: The Rangers likely have too much shuffling to do in terms of salary structure to make this work. Plus, they would be better off spending some money on the defense to give Lundqvist more help and prolong his career. 

BOSTON BRUINS

Pros: The Bruins have a star-studded offense already with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Krejci creating the nucleus of the top two lines. Stamkos would greatly complement that group. Another Original Six franchise, the market is a great one to play in. In their current situation, they have enough money to make a competitive offer. 

Cons: Missing the playoffs in two consecutive years and dealing with a defense that is in serious need of an upgrade, the Bruins might be looking in the wrong places for help. Marchand is in need of a new contract in the next year, and a couple of good young players are going to be coming off entry-level deals. A big Stamkos deal would make it tough to keep them all in the fold. 

Bottom line: Ottawa Sun columnist Bruce Garrioch wrote that GM Don Sweeney told reporters he would inquire about Stamkos' services, and the notion of drawing in the biggest free agent on the market isn't out of the question. There is a lot to like about the city and the market, but knowing the deficiencies on the back end could scare Stamkos away given the lack of prospects to take on bigger roles in coming years. 

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Pros: The Canadiens have a lot of good pieces in place already, and Stamkos would give them the top presence at center they've been lacking. Montreal is one of the greatest and most historic franchises in the league and would offer Stamkos a chance to become lore. He's the kind of player who could push them right back into the Stanley Cup hunt. 

Cons: Money is an issue for the Habs. They can go over the salary cap by 10 per cent in the offseason, but if they were to land Stamkos, another move would have to come. Likely candidates would be centers David Desharnais or Tomas Plekanec. 

Bottom line: According to Sportsnet's Eric Engels, the Canadiens are definitely a team in contention. In terms of fit, this one might be Stamkos' best chance at being the unquestioned top center on a championship-contending club in a massive hockey market. How committed to making the necessary moves to accommodate the addition the Habs are could determine the outcome. 

THE FRONT-RUNNERS

DETROIT RED WINGS

Pros: The deal that took Pavel Datsyuk off the books during the draft was massive. It opened up millions of dollars in cap space to put the Red Wings in position to make a splash in free agency. There are plenty of promising young players on the team that has made the playoffs for 25 straight seasons. The team will also be moving to a new arena in another year, and Stamkos can contribute to the start of a new era. 

Cons: Although they've made the playoffs consistently, they haven't exactly been playoff powerhouses in the last seven years. The roster took a big hit with the loss of Datsyuk to the KHL, and even with the addition of Stamkos, there will be growing pains ahead. 

Bottom line: If the team can find a way to improve on defense as well as add Stamkos, it would give the Wings a real push forward in their quest for the Cup. Stamkos could play with some impressive linemates, including Henrik Zetterberg. Given the reputation of the owners, Detroit can be a great place to play. NBC's Pierre McGuire was on TSN Toronto 1050 radio discussing the Wings as a serious consideration for Stamkos this week. 

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Pros: Given their back-to-back appearances in the Eastern Conference Final and young core of players, it looks like the Lightning are going to be in contention for a league title for years to come. Even though the money Tampa offered isn't as big as what will come on the open market, the Florida tax laws make up for that. If they can get something hammered out before July 1, they can add an extra year, too. 

Cons: Keeping Stamkos could mean parting with another key piece of the puzzle with the likes of Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat in the next couple of offseasons. They'll need to find a good deal for goalie Ben Bishop and find ways to get out of a couple of burdensome veteran contracts on defense. 

Bottom line: Stamkos has said all along he wanted to stay in Tampa. Even after exit meetings following this year's playoff loss, he said he "hoped to be back" to take care of "some unfinished business." Tampa is his best shot to win sooner rather than later, and it will be tough to leave. His ability to listen to the outside interest may just sell him on staying put. It doesn't have to happen before July 1. 

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Pros: The Ontario product grew up dreaming of pulling on the Maple Leaf crest. Head coach Mike Babcock is there, and Stamkos would be the brightest star in the biggest hockey market on the planet (with all due respect to the likes of Montreal and New York). The team will open up the wallet for him, and other endorsements will quickly follow. 

Jeffrey T. Barnes/Getty Images

Cons: The team is in a rebuilding phase that could last a few years before they get competitive enough to make the playoffs, never mind challenge for a Stanley Cup. Is Stamkos willing to wait that long and be a part of the buildup?

Bottom line: The Leafs picked up a future No. 1 center at the draft, taking Auston Matthews first overall. If they can land Stamkos as a mentor, the team has the capability of improving quickly. They've added other important pieces like goalie Frederik Andersen and, through long-term injured reserve, have the funds to make a competitive offer. It likely won't be the biggest, but if any team can come up a little short in the amount and still win, it's the Leafs. 

Stats via NHL.com. Salary cap numbers via generalfanager.com.