Cancel the Stamkos Sweepstakes, he has decided to return to the Tampa Bay Lightning. #TSN
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 29, 2016
The New York Rangers dodged a bullet today, as Bob McKenzie has reported that Steven Stamkos has decided to stay in Tampa Bay.
New York Rangers’ fans can rest easy tonight, as Steven Stamkos has decided to stay with the Tampa Bay Lightning, as reported by TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
I have previously discussed that signing Stammer would have been a mistake for a Rangers club that has found themselves in their own cap space hell.
McKenzie also reported that the deal was set at eight years with the price tag of 8.5M.
Could the Rangers have acquired Stamkos if Jeff Gorton played his cards correctly? Sure.
Would it have been the right move? No.
Listen, Stamkos is a great player who is just entering his prime, but tying up a player who is just coming off of a blood clot surgery would have been foolhardy.
Rangers’ General Manager Jeff Gorton has been quiet through the past week and there have been no reports that should give fans the expectations of a blockbuster move.
The fun should begin Friday when free agency opens, but until then, know that Gorton made the right decision to not sign Steven Stamkos to a huge contract that he would have never lived up to in the long-term.
In order to outbid all of Stamkos’ possible suitors, the Rangers would most likely have had to offer the power forward a contract of 10M+.
Good non-move Mr. Gorton.
