NHL Trade Rumors: Insider names best suitor for Steven Stamkos should extension talks fall through

As the NHL season progresses, the future of Steven Stamkos with the Tampa Bay Lightning remains uncertain. The longtime Lightning captain is in the final year of his contract, which carries an $8.5 million cap hit. If extension talks continue to stall and the Tampa Bay Lightning's performance takes a downturn, the rumors of a potential move for Stamkos may gain traction. One intriguing destination that has been brought to the forefront is the Boston Bruins.

Could the Boston Bruins push for a massive addition in Steven Stamkos at the NHL Trade Deadline?

The connection between Steven Stamkos and the Boston Bruins has been revived by Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, who recently pondered the possibility of Stamkos donning the black and gold. Notably, Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney made a compelling push to acquire Steven Stamkos during his free agency in 2016. Though Stamkos ultimately re-signed with the Lightning at that time, the interest from the Bruins was significant.

Sweeney's history of pursuing top-tier centers is evident, as he also made a strong effort to acquire John Tavares during the 2018 offseason. With the Bruins losing their top two centers, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, during the past offseason, the team continues to be linked to centers reportedly available on the NHL trade market. Stamkos, with his elite scoring ability and leadership qualities, would be an enticing addition for the Bruins.

The uncertainty surrounding Stamkos's future in Tampa Bay was highlighted by the player himself last month. In a statement to the media on September 20, Stamkos expressed his disappointment regarding the lack of contract extension talks:

"To be honest, I've been disappointed in the lack of talk in that regard. It was something that I expressed at the end of last year — that I wanted to get something done before training camp started. There haven't been any conversations. I'm ready whenever. I guess that was something that I didn't see coming. But it is what it is."

These words from Steven Stamkos could open the door to potential trade discussions, and his availability on the market would certainly pique the interest of many NHL teams, including the Boston Bruins. Stamkos, a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, has consistently been one of the league's premier goal-scorers and a respected leader on and off the ice. His addition would bring a significant offensive boost to the Bruins, who are eager to remain competitive in a highly competitive Eastern Conference.