Kent Hughes will have a unique opportunity to bring a star player to the Habs, and it's forward Steven Stamkos

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MarcO
September 23, 2023 (9:19)

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We know that Kent Hughes will have plenty of room under the salary cap from next summer. The GM mentioned that the plan was to leave room for the youngsters to develop, but you have to be realistic. There's no future star among the prospects up front.

Acquiring one will therefore have to be done via the autonomous player market or through a transaction. Chances are, the Lightning's current captain, Steven Stamkos, will be available as early as July 1.

Stamkos is very disappointed not to have begun negotiations for his next contract. He made it quite clear:

"To be honest, I'm disappointed with the lack of talks on this (new contract with the Lightning).

At the end of the last campaign, I expressed the hope that it would be settled by the start of camp [it's not even close to being done]. I'm ready to negotiate [during the season]. I didn't see this coming, but here's the current situation."

"I've mentioned that I'd like to continue and finish my career here. However, it's out of my control. I still can't write the contract on my own."

- Steven Stamkos

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On top of that, according to Elliotte Friedman and several other sources close to the Lightning, Julien Brisebois isn't too keen on the idea of signing his captain. Letting him go might be in the plans.

"I know people around Stamkos, I've talked to players, and several tell me there's a thought that Tampa wouldn't necessarily be so disappointed if he left the Lightning."

- Elliotte Friedman, who notes that Stamkos is one of the only major Lightning players not signed a year before the end of his contract

That's quite a turnaround for the forward. And according to him, a lack of respect from the organization. When you have a player like Stamkos in your ranks, you make sure you're clear with him and you don't let him become disgruntled like that. Is Julien Brisebois slipping away? Could Steven Stamkos be of interest to Kent Hughes?

Previously on HockeyLatest

Two Montreal Canadiens rookies are currently impressing and could cause a surprise: Joshua Roy and Logan Mailloux

Matthew Tkachuk Criticizes Canadian NHL Markets in Latest Interview

Huge statement from Cole Caufield attacking other NHL players

POLL
23 SEPTEMBRE \| 74 ANSWERS Kent Hughes will have a unique opportunity to bring a star player to the Habs, and it's forward Steven Stamkos Would you like Steven Stamkos to sign for Montreal?
Yes	41	55.4 %
No	33	44.6 %
List of polls