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Steven Stamkos and Martin St-Louis reunited with the Canadiens?
On July 1st, Steven Stamkos will become an unrestricted free agent. He'll be able to test the free agent market, and several rumors link him to the Canadiens and Martin St-Louis.
After all, Vincent Lecavalier is also in Montreal, so the connection seems quite easy to make. The Canadiens need some offensive firepower, and Stamkos needs a contract, which the Canadiens can offer him more easily than the Lightning.
At 34 years old, Stammer still has plenty of good hockey left in him, as evidenced by his 81-point season, including 40 goals, in 79 games. That's solid.
According to his coach Jon Cooper, he won't come to Montreal. His place is in Tampa Bay, and he'll stay there.
"He belongs here. We know it. He knows it."
Jon Cooper on Steven Stamkos's future with Tampa Bay.
Jon Cooper on Steven Stamkos's future with Tampa Bay.
Cooper seems very convinced. It's unfortunate to see that negotiations between his camp and Julien Brisebois aren't going super well, and he's not signed yet.
"We've grown up together, he's an amazing player, and he's also... I guess he controls his own destiny. I don't know what's going to happen, but I feel like he'll be a Tampa Bay Lightning player for the rest of his life.
It will be up to him and Julien Brisebois to decide." - Jon Cooper
It will be up to him and Julien Brisebois to decide." - Jon Cooper
Furthermore, I would add that this isn't the right year to acquire a star player, especially one who's on the decline. Stamkos may still be productive, but he's not getting any younger, and he could hit a wall at any time.
The salary cap flexibility for the Canadiens isn't comfortable enough this year to give out a big contract. Kent Hughes will probably prefer to wait until the summer of 2025.
| POLL | ||
MAI 1 | 461 ANSWERS Steven Stamkos and Martin St-Louis reunited with the Canadiens? Would you like the Canadiens to sign Steven Stamkos for 4 years at $10 million per year? | ||
| Yes | 79 | 17.1 % |
| No | 382 | 82.9 % |
| List of polls | ||