Joined: Aug. 2017
Posts: 2,400
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What about option #4???
It seems that Stamkos has had more injury problems of late, and is becoming more unreliable from that standpoint.
He is 30 and signed for 4 more years...the chances of him missing significant time for injuries down the road increases considerably.
Trading Stamkos while he still has a high perceived value.
I realize he has a NMC, but it may be easier to find somebody who would take a chance on him (at his term and salary, given his injury status).
(Stamkos has meant a lot to TB, but could still reasonably be moved as he has not yet reached "Franchise" status like Crosby in Pittsburgh or Ovi in Washington)
This would free up almost enough space (will probably still need to waive or unload one of TJ, Gourde, Killorn, or Palat).
Cirelli could then be signed and play 2C behind Point at 1C.
Just a thought.