After having a dream season last year, the Tampa Bay Lightning are struggling mightily in 2015-16. The have won 16 of 32 games and sit in fifth place in the Atlantic Division, out of the playoffs. Injuries have obliterated the Bolts offense, especially the contribution from the Triplet Line. Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat haven’t been able to come close to their numbers from last season. Lightning fans are already in panic mode and now this…
Yesterday, Hall of Fame columnist Bob McKenzie penned an article, speculating that “All signs point to Steven Stamkos leaving Tampa.” TSN tweeted out the link at the same time McKenzie did and the hockey world was set ablaze.
From @TSNBobMcKenzie: All signs point to #Stamkos leaving Tampa https://t.co/Dxv5PNqbrr#TSNHockeypic.twitter.com/YxOFi29N8l
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 16, 2015
“If there is one take-away for me from a week or so of Stammerama in the self-proclaimed Centre of the Hockey Universe, it is as follows: Steven Stamkos won’t be playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning next season.” “If Stamkos and the Lightning aren’t even holding hands. Absent a lightning bolt out of the blue, they’re not going to either.” – Bob McKenzie
McKenzie also fueled the fire that there is a rift between Stamkos and coach Jon Cooper, which we speculated on earlier.:
“As for the Lightning, coach Jon Cooper noted after the Toronto game they are 8-4 in their last 12 games without any measurable goal contribution from the captain. He said it a little nicer than that, but point taken. To say nothing of the fact the Lightning has also been decimated with injuries lately.”
Might as well say out loud what we’re all thinking: https://t.co/lYULxKhvin (Pre-emptive strike by me, this is not a “report.” It’s a view.)
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 16, 2015
McKenzie is just speculating here, but this isn’t some cub reporter trying to make a name for himself. This is the Godfather…the King of all hockey media. He knows something and wouldn’t write a story that was purely off the cuff speculation. McKenzie went on to say:
“…it’s pointing more towards him ot being with the Tampa Bay Lightning than being there. But I don’t think the door is closed at this point. It’s pointing more towards the field than Toronto, but that doesn’t preclude the possibility of Toronto.”
McKenzie points out that more than ever, Stamkos wants to win and is looking at only a select few teams. He believes that the familiarity with the players (Growing up with P.K. Subban) and the competitiveness in Montreal makes them the best fit for the superstar. McKenzie also speculated on Stamkos going to the Edmonton Oilers, saying:
“Not sure how the Oilers could shoe-horn Stamkos money into McDavid/Hall/Draisaitl et al money, to say nothing of what they would do with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or others, but dare to dream of the possibilities.”
If, in fact Stamkos is looking at leaving Tampa Bay. what are the reasons?
One thing for certain, it is not a money issue. A superstar of Stamkos’ ilk is getting his money, no matter where he plays.
Stamkos almost certainly disagrees with Lightning head coach Jon Cooper about being played on the wing instead of center. Cooper didn’t learn from his mistake last year during the playoffs and is attempting to make this controversial switch again. This may be the driving force that pushes Stamkos away.
GM Steve Yzerman may have already decided to let Stamkos go. He gave coach Cooper an extension that told Stamkos if he wants to stay, he will have to play with Cooper running the show, despite his possible dislike of the Bolts’ bench boss. It certainly looks as if the coach won out over the player.
Stamkos liked a tweet from TSN that had the headline: “Should the Maple Leafs pursue Stamkos?” pouring gas on the fire that was already blazing in social media circles. Stamkos later stated this was an accident, but no one really believes this. After all, he is a three-time accidental clicker of the like button offender. Stamkos is playing with social media and stirring the pot and helping to make the contract situation a distraction…something Bob McKenzie has brought to DEFCON 1 levels.
It is possible that the Stamkos UFA lottery has already started due to Yzerman testing the trade waters prior to the draft with Buffalo and Calgary. It is believed that Stamkos nullified the deals because the teams included a condition that they had to be able to sign him to an extension. Stamkos couldn’t have been happy with this turn of events. Was he seeing the writing on the wall?
With the golden “no-movement” ticket in his pocket, Stamkos ultimately has the hammer. If the superstar doesn’t want to play for the coach, all he has to do is wait. Wait until the July 1 deadline and choose his team.
At this point, the only hope for Stamkos staying may be if Yzerman can mediate a deal between Cooper and Stamkos, something that may be impossible because of the general manager’s past actions.
Stay or go? The clock is ticking.
(Feature Photo/Christine Gunn)
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