On the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos …
- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Steven Stamkos on Steve Yzerman’s statement yesterday.
“It’s been a tough year in that regard to deal with that stuff,” Stamkos said. “So hopefully this lightens the load a little bit. I’ve said all along from training camp that I wanted to be here and I want to win a championship here.”
The decision for Yzerman to release a statement was a mutual decision by the Lightning and Stamkos’s camp to focus the playoffs and not the trade deadline.
“Obviously this is a decision by both parties that we thought was the best route on something that I wanted,” Stamkos said. “I’m obviously looking forward to not having to deal with all the questions for the remainder of the season and just focus on hockey and just do my best to help the team win.”
On the Toronto Maple Leafs and Steven Stamkos…
- Brian Lawton: “Any one else consider there is a chance that Stamkos & Tavares could b playing together in next 27 months in #TOR similar to Parise/Suter”
- Kevin Allen and Kristen Shilton of the USA Today: Allen and Shilton discuss if Steven Stamkos will be wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey next year.
Allen: I don’t believe it is likely. Although there has been much speculation about Stamkos’ future, I still believe he would prefer to stay in Tampa Bay. Plus, if he does go to free agency, there will multiple teams pursuing him and most of those teams will be closer to a Stanley Cup than the rebuilding Maple Leafs. The other issue: He will face more pressure and give up all aspects of privacy if he goes home to play for the Leafs.
Shilton: It sounds almost too good to be true. Hometown hero Stamkos goes back to his Toronto roots in the Maple Leafs’ centennial season to lead the beleaguered franchise into a new era of prosperity. But as Hollywood as the story line reads, it’s not a bad role for Stamkos to play. I think he’d like for Tampa to be able to offer him the kind of money he will see on the open market. But in the big picture, that isn’t realistic for a small-market club. Toronto is as big as it comes. With the cap room made by Phaneuf’s departure, the Leafs can outbid just about anyone for Stamkos’ affection. They can pay him for his scoring and for being the best ambassador this franchise has seen in years.