It’s time for another round of NHL rumours on this draft day. The NHL season ended earlier in the week, but there is no rest for the wicked. We’ve got the NHL Draft tonight and the start of free agency on Monday. Moves are already being made, but things are really going to pick up at the end of the weekend. Unrestricted free agents will be able to sign with other teams starting on July 1 and there could be some new faces in new places. This edition of NHL rumours looks at the Tampa Bay Lightning and the fate of one of their star players.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Latest on Tampa Bay Lightning Captain
Rumour: TSN’s Craig Button appeared on SportsCentre with Jay Onrait to discuss the future of Steven Stamkos with the club. However, news emerged on Friday that two sides have to hammer out a deal.
Analysis: Somehow there hasn’t been a deal for the Lightning captain as of yet. Stamkos remains unsigned and could hit the free agent market when the calendar flips to July. The longtime forward has been with the Lightning for his entire NHL career.
Button said that he would be surprised if Stamkos got into the open market set to open on Monday. The insider said that he thinks all the chatter about Stamkos leaving will be for nothing. There is a temptation to listen to other teams, but Button ultimately feels that Stamkos will sign a new deal.
What Can Tampa Bay Offer?
Lightning General Manager Julien BriseBois has an interesting conundrum when it comes to re-signing the team’s captain. Tampa Bay does have the advantage of being no-tax state. However, the club does have a lot of big contracts on the books.
Button feels that BriseBois could offer a contract along the lines of what the Pittsburgh Penguins gave Evgeni Malkin. The Pens thought they were going to have a hard time inking a deal for the Russian. However, the two sides agreed to a four-year deal worth $25 million for the duration of the deal. Stamkos may get a little bit more in terms of money, but it would be a similar framework.
Some were thinking Stamkos was looking for a deal with longer term. However, the temptation is there to try and keep the band together for another run at the team’s third Stanley Cup in the last few years. Lightning beat writer Diandra Loux said that Stamkos’ agent and BriseBois did meet yesterday.
Who Else is in the Hunt?
With the Friday news that Stamkos has to sign, other teams are in play for the future Hall of Famer. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun said the Nashville Predators are a team that are interested in the Markham, Ontario native. Nashville is looking to add some scoring punch and Stamkos would fit the bill.
Predators General Manager Barry Trotz may be able to offer Stamkos more money and maybe some more term to land a big free-agent prize. The Preds are going to be a player and could pry Stamkos away from the team that drafted him first overall in the 2008 NHL Draft.
Main photo by: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
