For a good while, the prevailing sentiment regarding Steven Stamkos was that he would re-sign with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Why not stay with a team that's been to the Eastern Conference Final the last two years? Why not stay with the team that's been his home since entering the NHL? Why not still play in a state with no state income tax?
But as of Tuesday, Stamkos remained without a new contract with the Lightning. If he really wanted to go back to Tampa, wouldn't he have signed a deal by now?
Exactly.
Assuming Stamkos is available still by Friday's official opening of the market, he instantly makes this the most exciting free-agent period in several years. A 26-year-old, No. 1 center, arguably still the best pure shooter in the league, available to the highest bidder? This just isn't supposed to happen in the NHL anymore. All the best young players stay locked up into their late 20s or early 30s and beyond in the salary-cap era.
Anyway, Stamkos will hog most of the media coverage if he's still available by Friday, but there are some other solid players who will be looking for new deals. The following sl ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Adrian Dater
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