Elliotte Friedman's Latest Report on Steven Stamkos Could Be Good News for the Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos is struggling right now, and this could potentially be an opportunity for the Toronto Maple Leafs to make a bold move.
Steven Stamkos leaving the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Nashville Predators has proven to be an all-time terrible career choice.
The forward has not been particularly good in Nashville, and this season has been off to one of the most miserable starts we have ever seen.
He has just two goals in the first 15 games, and it just feels like Stamkos is not a good fit in Nashville, with very little hope that the situation can improve.
Elliotte Friedman tells the truth about Steven Stamkos
In the latest written version of '32 Thoughts' from Elliotte Friedman, the insider went in depth on why Stamkos and the Predators aren't working out.
The lack of shot creation has been tough to watch, and it is a huge reason why Stamkos can't get anything done right now.
The biggest indicator of concern about the Nashville/Stamkos match is his shot rates. The last three years in Tampa, he had 241, 240 and 262. Last year in Tennessee was 174 (he shot 15.5 per cent, a 40-goal pace with 262 shots.) This season, he's on-pace for 175. He's just not getting attempts as often as he used to. That said, it's never a one-way street. Barring a trade for a distributor, he's got to do everything he can to make an impact, whether that means changing his game or impacting it in other ways. He even played net-front on one of the power plays last night. But Stamkos is in the NHL to score, first and foremost. I do not believe any kind of bold trade request is the plan, but I think if there's a situation that made sense everyone involved would have to look at it.
As for a potential trade, Friedman does not believe Stamkos will ask for one. However, if a good trade comes along, then they may have no choice.
Previously, we reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs could be interested in Stamkos, as they could pair the forward with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
Making this trade would be tough to pull off, especially since the Maple Leafs are currently working with limited assets.
Only time will tell whether or not Stamkos improves in Nashville, or this situation continues to devolve.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 6 | 541 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman's Latest Report on Steven Stamkos Could Be Good News for the Maple Leafs Do you believe Steven Stamkos is a viable option for the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| YES | 221 | 40.9 % |
| NO | 320 | 59.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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