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NHL Rumors: Sabres could be favorites to sign Steven Stamkos

By Dave Stevenson

Feb 5, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) shoots on goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) shoots on goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Bob McKenzie, the Buffalo Sabres could be the apple of Steven Stamkos’ eye.

Steven Stamkos is set to become a free agent after the 2015-2016 season if he decides not to sign an extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked heavily to Stamkos for quite some time. While Stamkos would make sense for the NHL’s largest market, Stamkos is reportedly considering another Atlantic Division team: the Buffalo Sabres.

Stamkos would be wise to at least take a look at the Sabres as a potential free agent destination. The Sabres have a ton of cap space and desperately need a star like Stamkos so they will most likely be interested in signing him. Buffalo would speed up their rebuild significantly should they add the sniper.

But why would Steven Stamkos be interested in Buffalo over Toronto? Because Buffalo is closer to contending than Toronto.  Stamkos has to be looking around the league and thinking to himself that he has to go somewhere where he has a playmaker.

Virtually every elite goal scorer in the NHL also has a great center. Steven is one of the few who doesn’t. Jack Eichel certainly qualifies as a great center. As amazing as William Nylander has looked for the Toronto Marlies, he’s still a prospect. Eichel and Stamkos wouldn’t be quite at the level of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars or Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom of the Washington Capitals. However, Eichel and Stamkos still sounds like a very strong dynamic duo.

Would the Sabres have to make other moves on top of signing Steven Stamkos in order to contend in the near future? Absolutely. Signing Stamkos would be an immeasurably huge step in the right direction for a franchise that desperately needs a star. But will the Sabres be able to persuade Stamkos that signing in Buffalo would be a good decision?

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