Four teams emerge as frontrunners for Steven Stamkos this off-season

Four teams emerged as frontrunners to sign the Tampa Bay Lightning's captain Steven Stamkos this off-season.

Stamkos is set to become a free agent on July 1st, and while he'd certainly ike to remain in Tampa, where he played his whole career, the team could struggle to keep him for financial reasons.

At 34 years old, Stamkos showed that he can still bring a lot to a team with his leadership and his enduring skills. This season, he scored 81 points, including 40 goals, in 79 games.

In the playoffs, he played a big role for his team, even if the Panthers eliminated them in five games: he tallied six points, including five goals.

According to a new report, Stamkos has a lot of options if things don't work out between him and the Lightning. Four teams could have what it takes to sign him: the Detroit Red Wings, the Nashville Predators, the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

From Sportsnet:

This is quite interesting considering that most of these teams aren't at the same level at the moment.

The Maple Leafs, the Red Wings and the Predators could all be going for a Stanley Cup as soon as next season. However, the Montreal Canadiens are still rebuilding, but have an asset that could help the Habs land him: Martin St-Louis.

St-Louis and Stamkos played together for a few years in Tampa, and Stamkos could be tempted in joining him in Montreal.

In the short term, joining the Leafs or the Red Wings would make more sense, as they're closer to a Stanley Cup than the Habs are right now.

This topic will be interesting to follow over the summer.

Stay tuned.

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