There is a growing feeling (as I reported over the weekend) that Stamkos and the Lightning may actually be getting close to a deal.
* First I was hearing Drouin would not be traded until the Stamkos situation was more clear. "Losing both talented offensive threats at the same time is not the way Yzerman wants to play this."
* Then, rather suddenly on Monday, it started to look like a Drouin deal was close and we started to hear teams who were "NOT" in on it...That is always a clue of a deal getting done. This means teams are finding out "the price to beat" and not willing to pony up.
* Then all went VERY quiet surrounding Stamkos right before the word came out regarding the Kopitar extension. This deal, along with Kane and Toews, is a price setter in many ways.
*Last night many who were texting me from various press boxes around the league were saying the buzz was a deal was close....
*Then Dave Andreychuk, who is very close to the situation, was reported as saying "Stamkos will be a Lightning for a very long time."
All this is pointing solidly towards a resolution and Stamkos returning to Tampa...or at least many want us to believe that a resolution is close.
Obstacles still exist...
Stamkos wants to play Center and he is still seeing time on the Wing....and Stamkos' agent is Don Meahan.....Don Meahan is the top agent in the NHL currently and will feel the need to make this deal HUGE to push salaries further.
This is a tough deal to get done...and that might be where we are now. Look at the Kopitar deal...It has been close for several weeks, and still there appear to be some small issues...Stamkos is a much harder deal to finish.
Time will tell...
We will of course discuss this and more on today's Buzzcast at 1pm ET