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3 teams that could make a Steven Stamkos trade work

By Vincent Parise

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 10: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning warms up during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Amalie Arena on January 10, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 10: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning warms up during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Amalie Arena on January 10, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Steven Stamkos #91, Tampa Bay Lightning
Steven Stamkos #91, Tampa Bay Lightning (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2. Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres would be great with a player like Steven Stamkos right now.

Would the Tampa Bay Lightning trade Steven Stamkos to a team in their division? Honestly, why not? If they aren’t going to be a postseason team this year, which they still very much might be, they should move them to whoever gives them the best return.

If the Sabres miss out on someone like Patrick Kane, they might look in a different direction. They are a young team looking for some veteran leadership that has gone very deep into the payoffs.

Of course, kids like Tage Thompson, Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, Dylan Cozens, and Zach Benson could use a leader like Stamkos in the mix.

The Sabres have some cap space too so they would have to do a little less maneuvering in order to add a salary like Stamkos to the group for the rest of this year. They might also be willing to give him an extension so he can be their leader as an elder statesman over the next handful of years.

For a team looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011 (the longest drought in the NHL), a player like Stamkos would be great for them. After starting 0-2-0 as a team with high expectations, a big move sooner than later could really help.

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