Could the Tampa Bay Lightning possibly let restricted free agent Steven Stamkos walk? Without him and his million goals per year, the Bolts are a different team, likely not capable of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals as they did this past season.
Steven Stamkos Could Be Given Offer Sheet From Philadelphia Flyers
But as July 1 approaches, Steve Yzerman has still failed to sign Stamkos to a new deal. And with that comes the possibility that he the 21-year-old 50-goal scorer could be signed to an offer sheet by a club with money to throw at him, like perhaps the Philadelphia Flyers.
Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News has led the crusade on the story, stating repeatedly that the Flyers have a ton of interest. Both he and Anthony SanFilippo of the Delaware County Times have reported that if the Flyers do send Stamkos an offer sheet, which the Lightning would have the right to match, it would be for 12 years and $115 million.
That’s a $9.58 million cap hit, and there are serious questions on whether or not the Lightning can afford to match such a hefty offer. Of course, the question is whether or not the Bolts would be able to do that, although Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune had reported that they will match any offer sheet.
Owner Jeff Vinik bought the team in 2010 for about $110 million, which would be more than the reportedly possible offer sheet from Philadelphia. Vinik is also a billionaire and has the money on hand to match any sheet.
The Flyers are still reportedly debating on whether or not it’s worth the risk in trying to acquire Stamkos. The price would be astronomical, of course. Not only are they paying $9 million-plus per season, but they’d also be giving up their first round pick in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 to the Lightning as compensation.
And if they fail, they'd possibly lose out on the chance at signing a lesser free agent come July 1 because they'd be tied up with the hopes of getting Stamkos. Also, they need to clear some cap space before the start of the season, while fitting in the contracts of Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek, restricted free agents acquired last week in other blockbuster deals. Not to mention other issues down the road.
There’s a lot to be settled, and this doesn’t even include other teams that could potentially send in an offer sheet on Stamkos. But the possibility of No. 91 being pulled away from the Lightning is a real one, and it’s definitely a story to follow over the next few days.
For more on the Lightning, check in with SB Nation’s Raw Charge. For more on the Flyers, visit Broad Street Hockey.
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