will be interesting to see what he wants...assuming he wants a chance to win and wants to be in a good market, there aren't that many choices; here's the possible franchises that I would say both can make the cap space and might be considered as either a condender or as having the chance to be one soon: Nashville, NYI, St Louis, Montreal, Detroit, Calgary, Boston, Winnipeg
So, if I have to rank them...
Tampa, St Louis, Montreal, Calgary Nashville would be my bet of his 5 most likely destinations (in that order). They can all pay between 8-9m for 8 years. I don't think he gets much more than that. There's something to like in all of them if your stamkos
Tampa:
Pro: low taxes, have gone to finals before, well built team, contender right now
Con: Probably at apex from an age and development perspective (especially on the backend), not clear you want to be there for more than 4 years
St Louis
Pro - good team, well balanced, missing an elite forward
Con - seemingly never good enough
Montreal
Pro: hockey mad, Carey Price/PK Subban/Stamkos - thats a great core all in their prime at 26, good depth up front, would be special to put on the original six jersey, could have 6 good years there
Con: lack depth of defense. Need carey price to play lights out to win the cup, not enough young talent to expect them to compete for 8 years
Calgary
Pro: hockey mad, pre-aprex so could sign there for 8 years with chances to win every year, very strong young pieces balanced at front and back end - monahan, jonny, bennett, gio, brodie, hamilton
Con: unclear if the talent will ever come together, goaltending hole, stamkos probably plays the wing
Nashville
Pro: strong defense, good depth up front, could make an argument they are a number 1 center away from being a favorite, apex or pre-apex team
Con: not a strong hockey market
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