Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning continue to engage in contract talks but Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois isn’t sure that a deal will get done before July 1st (as per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times). The Lightning GM met with Stamkos’ representatives as recently as yesterday but with Tampa Bay’s cap crunch, the 2008 first overall pick may go to market.
Stamkos would have no shortage of suitors (as per Darren Dreger of TSN) if he becomes an unrestricted free agent and it would mark the end of an incredible era in Tampa Bay. Stamkos has won two Stanley Cups with the Lightning as well as two Rocket Richard trophies and has tallied 555 goals and 582 assists in 1082 NHL games. If the 34-year-old does go to market, he is sure to find a lucrative deal as he is coming off a season in which he registered 40 goals and 41 assists in 79 games.
In other Eastern Conference notes:
- Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports is reporting that Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has held extension talks with defenseman Victor Hedman. BriseBois told the media that he hopes that he will agree on an extension in the coming days as Hedman is eligible to sign a new deal on July 1st. The 33-year-old has one year left on his current contract and is coming off another strong season in which he posted 13 goals and 63 assists in 78 games. Hedman’s cap hit for next year will be $7.875MM, but his actual salary will be $7MM.
- Pierre LeBrun of TSN is reporting that the Philadelphia Flyers made a big push to try and acquire the fourth overall pick in this year’s NHL entry draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets. LeBrun’s sources have told him the Philadelphia made the offer on Wednesday and it was reported to include a swap of first-round picks, a player off the Flyers roster, and potentially the Flyers first-round pick next year. According to reports, Blue Jackets’ general manager Don Waddell turned down the offer, but it remains possible that the teams re-engage in the hours leading up to the draft.
Pierre’s reporting is the Flyers are attempting to acquire the 4th overall pick from Columbus, not a 4th round pick.
I don’t know pick number 101 is verrry enticing this year.
Flyers looking at Lindstrom with that pick? Compared to Lindros. Sign me up!
91 and 88 #NYR
I suspected the possibility of Steven Stamkos hitting the open market like he did in 2016. Just because he hits the open market doesn’t mean he won’t comeback Tampa by any means. This scenario sounds highly similar to his 2016 situation.
I will say, I think GM Julien BriseBois made a mistake in not getting a deal done with Stamkos before making a trade acquisition to bring back Ryan McDonugh. He would have been able to get McDonugh after re-signing Stamkos. So I think BriseBois underestimated the circumstances & jumped the gun on the matter.
BriseBois needs to move players like Tanner Jeannot & Conor Sheary which would open up the cap space to bring an additional $4.66 million to the cap which would give Tampa a cap sum of $9.99 million & would provide the necessary funds to make a deal & still have cap space flexibility for one or two lost cost UFAs.
As for Hedman, Tampa will have around $23 million in cap space next season. So, Hedman’s situation shouldn’t be difficult in getting an extension done this summer.