The Tampa Bay Lightning might lose longtime captain Steven Stamkos when the NHL free company interval begins on July 1.
With solely $16.5 million in cap area, Lightning normal supervisor Julien BriseBois admitted the 2 sides should not remotely near a deal, and Stamkos will take a look at the market.
“… I perceive that whenever you get this near free company, it may be tempting to see what the market has to supply to you,” BriseBois stated, per NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger. “That was a danger I used to be taking once I didn’t go to Steven a 12 months early to attempt to lock him up and get a contract performed.”
BriseBois stated the Lightning are attempting to “get youthful” as a bunch and feels the favorable tax scenario in Florida might be an “interesting vacation spot” for a number of free brokers.
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Might the Lightning’s misfortune work within the Bruins’ favor?
Boston has a projected $24 million in accessible cap area to spend. After all, some cash will probably go towards Jeremy Swayman’s contract extension. Even when Swayman earns a contract of round $8 million per 12 months, the Bruins may have loads of cash to take a run at Stamkos.
It’s no secret the Bruins want a middle. Charlie Coyle (25 objectives, 35 assists) and Pavel Zacha (21 objectives, 38 assists) had a stable 2023-24 season, however Boston nonetheless wants that elite objective scorer to place them excessive — particularly within the energy play.
In 79 video games for the Lightning final season, Stamkos lit the lamp 40 occasions and added 41 helpers for 81 factors, which was third on the workforce. Twenty of Stamkos’ tallies got here on the person benefit.
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Stamkos might be a powerful possibility at middle for both of Boston’s prime two traces and has the flexibility to maneuver to the wing when wanted. With contract discussions stalled with Jake DeBrusk, Stamkos could be an ideal alternative.
The 2-time Stanley Cup champion has 1,137 factors (555 objectives, 582 assists) in 1,082 video games with the Lightning. Stamkos is aware of the best way to win and is a frontrunner on and off the ice.
