Vancouver Canucks: Steven Stamkos Rumours Are Totally Unrealistic

If Steven Stamkos is still unsigned at the end of June, the Vancouver Canucks should try everything they can to get him.

The Vancouver Canucks and Steven Stamkos have been linked several times over the past weeks. Most of the time, it was nothing more than fans dreaming. But when guys like Elliotte Friedman and Pierre LeBrun mention Stamkos and Vancouver in the same sentence, it makes you wonder: how realistic is that scenario?

Well, all LeBrun said in the quote above is that Vancouver will have a lot of cap space at the end of this season, so we might all want to calm down again.

Realistically, every team that has enough cap space will target Stamkos. In the most terrible season of his career, he is still on pace for 32 goals. Plus, at 26 years old, Stamkos is just starting to hit his prime. Stamkos will demand a massive raise from his current $7.5 million cap hit, but for teams with sufficient cap space, it would be dumb to let the opportunity slip.

Now, Toronto Maple Leafs fans have always been 100 percent sure their hometown boy Stamkos would sign with their team sooner or later. Stamkos grew up a Leafs fan, so as a kid, he has probably dreamed of playing for the Leafs one day — strange to think some people have dreams like that, I know. Still, nothing would be cooler than playing for the team you grew up cheering for, just ask Colorado Avalanche centre Matt Duchene.

However, rumours emerged out of nowhere, claiming that Stamkos might favour the Canucks over the Maple Leafs.

Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star seems to have heard it somewhere. But how does that make sense?

From Stamkos’ perspective, there will be a few things he needs to consider if he does not sign a contract extension by July 1st:

1. Money
2. Home
3. Winning

First, Stamkos needs to think about how much money he wants. What can he get on the open market? What can he get in Tampa?

Then, he needs to think about how much he really wants to play at home. Does he want to play for the Leafs? Are they willing to pay what he wants? If yes, they are his team. If he does not care about playing for his favourite team, all 30 teams have an equal chance.

Every hockey player wants to win the Stanley Cup one day. Stamkos made it to the finals last season and probably wants to make it there again as soon as possible. The Leafs probably won’t make it anytime soon — and neither will the Canucks.

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So, the Leafs and Canucks can both throw a ton of money at Stamkos — tie.

Toronto is his hometown, Vancouver is not — 1-0 Toronto.

Both teams seem equally far away from winning — another tie.

Stamkos might want to avoid the hype and media attention he would get if he signed with Toronto and rather sign somewhere else. But there is literally no reason why Stamkos would favour Vancouver over any other team unless he is a secret Vancouver fan. Maybe he likes Swedish twins, too, but I’m not sure if the Canucks got the right kind.

As of today, Stamkos only needs to think about one thing: does he really want to stay in Tampa (as he keeps saying)? If so, will he do that for a discount that would have him make “only” $10 million?

Because if the answer to either question is no, there will be many other teams who are interested in him. And from a completely objective point of view, the Vancouver Canucks are no better destination for Stamkos than any other NHL club.

However, they are also no worse than any other NHL club and should try everything they can to get him. They have a good amount of talent in their system and a player like Stamkos could be what it takes to take the team far in the playoffs within the next couple of years. Seriously, it can be that easy.

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What do you think? Does Stamkos really favour Vancouver over Toronto? If so, why? Let us know in the comments!