As the Tampa Bay Lightning attempt to clear out the necessary cap space to retain their captain Steven Stamkos, another team may have entered the fray. In a list of news items around the league as the hockey world heads into the offseason, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (Subscription Required) indicates the Nashville Predators will attempt to sign the star forward if he hits the free agent market on July 1st.
In addition to Stamkos, LeBrun notes that the Predators will also look into the market for Chandler Stephenson this summer as the team looks to add some punch to their lineup. As one of the most active teams of last year’s free-agent period; Nashville does not appear content to be a fringe contender next season. Even without Stamkos or Stephenson on the roster last season, Nashville was one of the best offensive teams in the league as they finished 10th in the NHL with a GF/G average of 3.24.
The Predators may be better served in putting most of their efforts toward Stephenson, as Stamkos will likely look for a team closer to Stanley Cup contention if he decides to leave Tampa Bay in the first place. In any case, money will not be a factor in the negotiations for either player as Nashville owns just north of $26MM of cap space heading into the summer. According to EvolvingHockey, Stephenson will command a four-year deal with a salary of $6.1MM while Stamkos is projected to get a three-year contract with an AAV of $8.4MM.
Other free agency notes:
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- There is no question that the Toronto Maple Leafs will be looking to add to their defensive core this offseason. However, as Pierre LeBrun reports, the team has not ruled out extending some of their current defensemen who are set to hit unrestricted free agency next Monday. That list would include Joel Edmundson, Ilya Lyubushkin, Mark Giordano, and T.J. Brodie although all signs indicate that the latter’s time in Toronto has ended. Edmundson and Lyubushkin are both physical defensemen who like to play with an edge while Giordano is a stabilizing presence on the back end. Depending on the cost, the Maple Leafs may decide to keep some of their current pieces around for next season.
- Chris Tanev is looking to cash in on a solid 2023-24 NHL season as Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle of The Athletic (Subscription Required) report the veteran defenseman is looking for a four-year contract this offseason. The veteran defenseman is already engaged in contract discussions with the Dallas Stars on a new deal, but it is unknown how long the organization is willing to go on his next contract. If Tanev makes it to the open market, plenty of defensive-needy teams will be interested in his services, but the pack may thin out if teams are unwilling to make that long of an arrangement.
- With the team’s sole focus on retaining Jake Guentzel before July 1st, it appears the Carolina Hurricanes will not make an offer to Teuvo Teravainen and he will hit the open market as suggested by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. Teravainen has quietly been one of the most effective players on the Hurricanes for eight years and should receive plenty of interest once free agency opens up. If his time in Carolina has ended, Teravainen will have amassed a total of 555 games in Carolina while scoring 137 goals and 415 points overall.
Teuvo back to CHI? Nice, steady veteran presence.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a Teuvo encore.
If 91 hits the market, NYR will go all out for him .91 & 88 #NYR
With what cap space? Stammer is taking at least 7.75M from a tax friendly state, maybe a haircut for a no income tax state team that he really wants to play for. At least for his next 2 years.
Maybe takes another haircut for longer term in Tampa. 7.25×4 in Tampa? 7.75-8Mx3 in Nashville or Dallas? 8.5×3 elsewhere?
Just a guess on my end. Some people don’t like him because of injury history and age, but he hasn’t missed a lot of time the last few years and continues to be a PPG player plus for the past couple seasons without missing much time. And he’s only actually 34. Not like he’s 36 looking for 5+ years.
Some team will overpay for Stephenson, you just hope it’s not your team. Decent player, but only one 20 goal season in his career.
Tampa will find a way to keep Stamkos. At least that’s my gut feeling.
Stamkos isn’t going anywhere. All smoke and mirrors.
@Gbear it sounds like you are pessimistic with any BIG Preds rumor out there & I get it- you’ve come to expect the same team every yr. But they are in great shape cap-wise & with roster talent- just give Trotz a few wks to maybe change your mind.
I’m giving BT a chance. Who he picks at the draft will be a sign as to whether it’s all talk or not.
I just don’t see the Bolts allowing Stamkos to get away. Would be a PR disaster for them.
I agree Stamkos is very likely staying.
Curious what you mean by “who he picks in the draft”. Do you mean you hope he trades picks for veterans?
No, I mean does Trotz actually pick the type of skilled forward he says the he wants or does he do what Poile always did. Actions speak louder than words.