One of the Blues' top free agent targets should be Tampa Bay's elite goal-scoring captain
Can the Blues address their need to improve the powerplay and add another goal-scorer in free agency when it opens up on July 1?
With the expectations that two-time Stanley Cup Champion Steven Stamkos will be available when the free agency begins, Doug Armstrong should waste no time dialing the phone and offering a deal for the seven-time 40-goal scorer.
Armstrong and Stamkos have a history together. Armstrong was the GM for Canada during the 2009 IIHF Men’s World Championships and the 2016 World Cup. He selected Stamkos to represent Canada in both tournaments.
Stamkos was fantastic in the 2009 event (seven goals, 11 points in nine games), winning a silver medal, and was named to the tournament’s all-star team.
It has been well documented that part of the reason why the Blues missed the playoffs for the second straight year was because they didn’t score enough goals, and their powerplay was lackluster.
The loss of Vladimir Tarasenko clearly has impacted the team, particularly on the man advantage.
Adding Stamkos’ booming one-timer from the left-side faceoff circle would immediately make the team’s powerplay more deadly.
And he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. He’s scored 116 goals in the last three seasons as he’s entered his 30s.
At 34, he may not be able to drive the play offensively anymore.
However, St. Louis already has Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas who can. It’s not hard to imagine Stamkos having success finding the soft pockets in the offensive zone to be available for a pass from one of Kyrou or Thomas.
The organization has also voiced that a rebuild does not work in this market and that they want to remain competitive and get back into the playoffs as quickly as they can. Landing one of the top goal-scorers in the league would expedite the franchise's push.
While the Tampa Bay Lightning captain has shifted positions and has been primarily playing on the wing, he has plenty of experience as a centerman, and St. Louis is most likely in the market for a center after trading away Kevin Hayes.
The Blues had to give up a second round pick to shed Hayes’ $3.57 million off the books and maybe that was indicating a bigger move to come.
Stamkos has become extremely adept at playing his off-wing on the left side of the ice, and we’re just picturing a St. Louis first line of Stamkos, Thomas, and Brayden Schenn. Oh boy, would that be fun to watch.
The biggest question is, how much is Stamkos asking for? If he's asking for anything south of $6 million, then the team should be all in.
But if his asking price to come to, say, St. Louis raises the dollar and asks for north of $6 million, that will complicate things with their signing future for Pavel Buchnevich.
St. Louis’s name hasn’t been around the rumor mills regarding the top-end free agents, who are expected to be available within the next 24 hours.
But maybe Armstrong can use his brief history with the Canadian goal-scorer to lure him in. As long as it is on a friendly deal that doesn't break the bank.