Now comes reports that Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos could void the last year for his contract and become a free agent and rumors have the Leafs as one of the teams that could have some interest.
The 26-year-old has become one of the biggest stars in hockey, with 562 points over his 569-game career. The former first round pick has reportedly wanted to return to his home country of Canada and that has led to speculation from several hockey experts that he will become a free agent and Toronto, along with a couple of other clubs, will make a big push to sign the high-scoring center.
Toronto might be well equipped at center already and with the likely addition of Auston Matthews next month with the first overall pick, things would be crowded, but this team hasn’t had a dominate scoring threat in years and its shown with the repeated absence in the playoffs.
Stamkos will be expensive, but the good news for the team and its fans, they are finally in position to make a deal like this happen. Rumors of a possible trade of the first overall pick would also fuel the speculation and allow the front office to add some young talent at other positions of need.
Another plus for the organization is the veterans leadership skills on and off the ice. He has already proven what he can accomplish in the NHL and adding a talent like this would be great for the team and its fans heading into next season and give the Leafs a great foundation to work with over the next five years, making them a legitimate threat at become the best team in the Eastern Conference.
