Lightning Rumors: Teams Will Call With Trade Offers For Steven Stamkos

Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois turned a lot of heads to start this season after admitting the team wasn't going to rush to offer captain Steven Stamkos a contract extension. Stamkos went public and noted his frustration in management and so far it's been nothing but egg shells on the beaches of Tampa Bay.

Turns out things could get even stickier in Tampa as if the Lightning are not a shoe-in to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, BriseBois may have some pondering to do over trade offers from other teams.

EF (32TP): "What happens if Tampa is a bubble team and Stamkos isn't signed at the end of the season?"

Marek: "Well, that's what Julien BriseBois talked about at the beginning of the season, we need to see what the season is going to be like here"

EF: "Teams are going to call"

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) December 4, 2023

Elliotte Friedman mentioned on a recent 32 Thoughts podcast episode that he feels the league will be watching what transpires in Tampa Bay and could be calling with trade offers should the Lightning be on the bubble.

Stamkos would be of interest to a number of teams of course, however the Boston Bruins are rumored to be heavily interested and could make a strong pitch for the veteran centre. 

Stamkos has appeared in 23 games this season, recording 24 points and holds a full no-movement clause. If it's Boston, it will be Stamkos' choice. The Lightning's captain is set to earn $8.5 million against the cap this season and any trade will be a very complicated and complex one thanks to the hard salary cap in the NHL and a lack of cap space for contending teams. 

Tampa Bay currently sits outside of playoff position in the Eastern Conference. 

Photo credit:   Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports