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After winning the draft lottery the hotstove examines whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs should still pursue Steven Stamkos, if available, in free agency.
Todd Cordell
As long as the asking price doesn't get ridiculously out of hand I think the Maple Leafs should pursue Stamkos.
Sure, his point production has dipped in recent years. Sure, the Leafs don't necessarily need a center after winning the rights to draft Auston Matthews. Sure, his blood clot issue is scary and something to be wary of moving forward.
In saying all that he is still a fantastic goal scorer and is one any team would benefit from. Over his last five full seasons he finished 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd and 7th in goals. This past year was the 7th place finish, but even then he was still top-5 in goals per game.
Very rarely do elite players hit the open market. Stamkos is elite. Very rarely do 26-year-olds hit the open market. Stamkos is 26.
The Leafs may not need a center but any time you have a chance to add an elite player without giving up any assets it's worth pursuing. If he tests the market, I think the Leafs should be and will be involved.
James Tanner
I don't really care that Stamkos is a centre. Sure, Kadri, Nylander and Matthews all play centre, but I think an NHL roster is much more fluid than fans tend to think, as far as guys being locked into positions.
If the Leafs think that his leg and blood clot issues are behind him, I say go for it. If you can add an elite level player to your lineup for free, then you have to do it.
I think getting Matthews probably means they won't push so hard for Stamkos, but I think they should. If you ice three lines that are Stamkos/JVR, Kadri/Marner Mathews/Nylander and, you already have Komorov, you're basically two strong defensive wingers away from having the best forwards in hockey...eventually, not like the kids are going to step in and be all-stars as rookies.
You also have to consider that the addition of Stamkos means adding four players over a single summer to your roster who project as elite (Matthews, Stamkos, Marner, Nylander).
How could you pass that up? Does anyone care that much about playing centre?
Peter Tessier
This is an interesting question should Stamkos be available. The concerns could be valid or unfounded as Stamkos is at the top of elite talents. However, consider this:
Should the Leafs grow as youth together and build that team as they grow?
How soon do they want the pressure of playoffs on young players?
Does adding Stamkos put the pressure on the Leafs to win sooner?
Is Stamkos the best option as a star player to add based on the Leafs roster and prospects?
Those are just a few of the questions that have to be bantered about by the likes of Shanahan, Lamorillo and Dubas as they proceed down this path, should Stamkos be available. Perhaps it would be better to add a player currently under contract, but that would cost assets, Stamkos is simply cash and the Leafs have the most of any team in the NHL.
Regardless of the nuances of this situation is there ever a time when a team with the prospects, cap space and timing of the Leafs should ignore a talent like Stamkos- no. That's why they'll make the pitch.
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