If the Lightning traded Steven Stamkos, 3 potential deals to consider

If you have been following along the past week, we have been providing you with some crazy/entertaining deals to consider and ponder about. All we want to do is keep the conversation going during this trying time. There's a good chance the NHL season is cancelled, so let's find something else to talk about. Today, the trade bait is Steven Stamkos.

So for argument sake, let's envision Tampa gets off to a horrible start next season, they become strapped for cash as Andrei Vasilevsky's $9.5 million dollar extension kicks in, while Anthony Cirelli and Mikhail Sergachev are due massive raises. Leaving a team with the likes of Hedman, Point, and Kucherov already signed long-term to big money deals, having to move out a body. Leaving today's trade bait, Steven Stamkos.

IF the Tampa Bay Lightning had to trade Steven Stamkos, do you think he would accept these destinations and would Tampa consider these deals?

To the San Jose Sharks for RW, Kevin Labanc, D, Mario Ferraro and prospect LW, Dillon Hamaliuk. 

The Sharks would be receiving a superstar to replace Joe Thornton as the face of the franchise. Stamkos can score at will and at 30-years-old, is still within his prime. San Jose was in the running to sign Stamkos a few years ago, and a live on the west-coast could appeal to him.

Meanwhile, Tampa receives Labanc and Ferraro who can step in right away, and one of San Jose's top offensive prospects. Not to mention the $6 million in cap space the Lightning would be saving. Perhaps adding a 1st round pick gets this deal done, who knows? Not me.

To the LA Kings for C-LW Adrian Kempe, D Sean Walker, and top prospect Gabriel Vilardi. 

Kempe would immediately find himself in the top-9 in Tampa. He's still only 23 and currently has 32 points in 69 games. While Sean Walker has come out of no where, and has top-4 potential from the right side, which is so hard to find in this day and age. Vilardi gives Tampa a chance to find their 'next' Stamkos, as the 20-year-old was taken 11th overall in the 2017 draft and has shown signs of being a stud. The Lightning save roughly $4 million in this deal.

LA gets Stamkos who paired up with Anze Kopitar to provide the Kings with arguably the best 1-2 duo down the middle, and all of a sudden, Rob Blake's rebuild gets expedited.

To the Philadelphia Flyers for C Sean Couturier, D Travis Sanheim, and prospect Morgan Frost. 

Any GM trading one of the best players and in this case their captain, will want to find ways to improve as many elements of their team as possible. Couturier has Selke potential and can jump into the Lightning's top line, Sanheim provides top-4 capabilities, while Morgan Frost is one of the Flyers most exciting prospects.

Stammer in the city of Brotherly Love, enough said.

Thank you for stopping by for another episode of Trade Bait. Let us know your thoughts on these potential deals, and if you think Stamkos could head somewhere else, comment and let us know. My guess - Tampa Bay will be his forever home.

Be safe, everyone and stay home.