Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Bay Tribune: If the Lightning consider trading Steven Stamkos, and if he’d consider waiving his no-movement clause, who might be interested? Acquiring team would have to have the cap space to take on Stamkos’s $7.5 million cap hit.
Erlendsson thinks there are four teams that have the resources to trade for him in hopes of signing Stamkos to an extension, and there are four teams that that the resources to acquire him as a rental.
St. Louis Blues – $3.4 million in estimated available cap space – They are not afraid to make a big move. The Blues would want assurances that they could re-sign him as it would cost them roster players to make the trade.
Vancouver Canucks – $3.3 million in estimated available cap space – The Canucks are in a rebuilding phase but also in the playoff race. Would accelerate the rebuilding phase if they could trade for and re-sign him.
Detroit Red Wings – $1.8 million in estimated available cap space – Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are on the back end of their careers, and Stamkos would be an nice transition to go along with Dylan Larkin and Gustav Nyquist.
Toronto Maple Leafs – $8.5 million in estimated available cap space – The only way the Maple Leafs would trade for Stamkos would be if he signed long-term. Unlikely that Stamkos would waive his no-movement clause to go to a team that is going to miss the playoffs.
Montreal Canadiens – $9.7 million in estimated available cap space – Would be a bold move that could ignite them. Would Lightning GM Steve Yzerman trade within the division?
New York Rangers – $4.9 million in estimated available cap space – They need to get more scoring. Rick Nash appears to be on the decline. Adding Stamkos would make them much deeper.
Minnesota Wild – $6.2 million in estimated available cap space – The Wild don’t have many offensive treats and their power play is in the bottom third.
Tampa Bay Lightning – $1.7 million in estimated available cap space – Could keep him beyond the deadline even if they don’t re-sign him before the deadline. They are a playoff team and are better off with him than without.
