The courting of Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steve Stamkos officially began Saturday, and no one was sure how many suitors will be vying for his affection. Since he would be the highest profile player in the free agent marketplace, he could have 10 or more teams pursuing him.
No one can offer him a contract until July 1 when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, but teams are allowed to speak to him. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens are among the teams believed to be interested.
"I haven't talked to Stammer in a while," Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said, adding "(but) I haven't ruled anything out just yet."
The Lightning still want Stamkos, but aren't in the salary cap position to give him what he could receive on the open market. The Lightning's issue is that they have other young players they also have to re-sign.
Yzerman said he wouldn't elaborate on negotiations. "We're both very clear on our positions," Yzerman said.
It's expected that the Stamkos, 26, will receive offers of more than $10 million per season, and the Lightning are not offering that kind of money.
He said he isn't frustrated by the situation. "It's all part of the business," Yzerman said. "We all have decisions to make. Players have a right to decide whether it's unrestricted free agency or what. They have a right to make their own decisions, and I don't judge anybody on it."
