Steven Stamkos Could Thrive in Toronto as the Maple Leafs Have What He's Looking For
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos is on the lookout for a playmaking center to help get him back on track, and the Maple Leafs have just the guys for him.
There were reports earlier this season that Steven Stamkos wasn't too happy with his situation in Nashville and there was a potential for him to request a trade if things don't turn around.
It would spell a quick end to a player who came in with high expectations but couldn't end up delivering for one reason or another.
There seems to be no real direct reason for Stamkos' failures in Nashville however he may have shown his cards a bit as to his wanting to leave.
According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, Stamkos wants to find a team who has the right pieces that can help him offensively, mainly a playmaking center that can feed him the puck and unlock the former 2x Richard Trophy winner's potential once again:
I think in Stamkos' case, if it ever comes down to it where there's a team out there that has a center that can get him the puck, I think everybody here would sit down and look at it.
While Stamkos is a center by trade, he has shifted more towards a winger role and with age and injury concerns, it's a little bit safer for him overall.
Toronto Has the Centers to Unlock Stamkos' Game
So if he is on the lookout for a pivot who can pass him the puck, he'd find two perfect candidates on the Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews and John Tavares.
The two are elite playmakers and can easily find Stamkos in his usual areas in the slot or on the left hand side, and he would add that star power the team needs to put them over the top.
But beyond Tavares and Matthews, the team has guys like William Nylander, Matias Maccelli, and Matthew Knies who can all also feed him the puck, especially on the power play and his 229 career markers on the PP will definitely help.
It's been a struggle for the last two seasons though, as he only has three points in 15 games (2 goals, 1 assist) and had his worst output in nearly a decade (minus his injury riddled 2020-21 season) with only 27 goals and 53 points.
But if Brad Treliving were somehow able to convince Stamkos to waive his no-movement clause and GM Barry Trotz to part ways with his prized signing, it could be exactly what both teams need to get themselves back on track.
And it would be the icing on the cake if he were able to come in and help bring a Stanley Cup to his hometown team.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 6|1340 ANSWERS Steven Stamkos Could Thrive in Toronto as the Maple Leafs Have What He's Looking For Should Toronto try and trade for Steven Stamkos? | ||
| Yes | 505 | 37.7 % |
| No | 835 | 62.3 % |
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