Steven Stamkos sweepstakes are real, and the Leafs aren't the only team in the mix
Photo credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
NHL Insider Jeff Marek revealed on a recent episode of 'The Sekeres and Price Show' that Toronto isn't the only team vying for Steven Stamkos as he named both Montreal and Vancouver as potential destinations.
Recent reports have emerged that Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos may be looking for another home this season due to both desiring to be part of a contender and give him some proper playmakers to get him scoring once again and Toronto could be a possibility.
But he certainly isn't going to come cheap.
Marek names Canadiens, Canucks as Stamkos trade spots
Toronto aren't the only ones who are vying for Stamkos though, as Insider Jeff Marek named two teams who could be big players for the veteran forward.
In a recent episode of The Sekeres and Price Show, Marek revealed that both the Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks are interested in trading for Stamkos:
Make no mistake about it, Vancouver is part of that conversation, as is Montreal, as are a number of teams.
Nothing is confirmed regarding Stamkos and his trade availability and this is purely speculation and knowledge that Marek has access to.
That certainly throws a wrench into Toronto's plans, as both the Canucks and Canadiens hold not only more assets to trade away, but more premium ones at that.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are well aware of this, and while they have kicked the tires on a potential deal, nothing concrete has surfaced.
Why Toronto has an uphill battle to acquire Steven Stamkos
First and foremost, Toronto's cap situation makes things immediately harder for them. Although they have some flexibility, that's only due to Chris Tanev being placed on the IR, and when he comes back so does his cap hit.
Stamkos, 35, makes $8-million per season, which means that Toronto would need to clear a fair bit of space, but that involves losing out on several roster spots.
The two-time Cup winner has 1,195 points in 1,184 games over his 18-year career but has struggled this year with Nashville, only registering five points in 20 games.
The team would need to find a way to navigate losing three or even four total players in order to open up the space. That means there could be feelers sent out for names like Max Domi, Brandon Carlo, Matias Maccelli, and Bobby McMann.
This is purely speculation and no reports show that any of those players are being traded, but in order to open up the space -- it feels inevitable.
The team also is not going to trade Easton Cowan, Ben Danford, their last first-round pick or Matthew Knies to get it done; which makes things substantially harder.
So then the issue becomes who replaces the lost players? Do they continue plucking players off waivers to fill temporary holes, or do they go internally and use their rookies more?
It's a tough situation so if the Maple Leafs but if they want to add Steven Stamkos, they'll need to face facts. He's expensive, and the team doesn't have much to pry him away.
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