3 Players Bruins Should Target in Free Agency

2. Steven Stamkos

One of the best NHL players over the last 15 seasons, Steven Stamkos will hit free agency at age 34.

Tampa Bay has made it clear that they want to re-sign Stamkos, but their roster is a cap crunch, already having $82.7 million tied up towards the $88 million 2024-25 salary cap.

Either Stamkos will have to take a hometown discount or the Lightning will have to move some pieces to fit in their captain's contract. The two-time Stanley Cup champion's projected contract is a four-year deal at a $7.68 million average annual value, per AFPAnalytics.

Stamkos was reportedly "disappointed" that the Lightning didn't explore extending him last offseason. Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois reportedly wanted to see how the 2023-24 season played out before committing to his captain going forward.

BriseBois has expressed that the team wants to bring Stamkos back; but has the relationship been strained? And would Stamkos take the pay cut?

The former first-overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft has the third-most points since 2010 behind only Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, and Alex Ovechkin.

At first glance, it feels easy to argue that Stamkos could be on the downside of his career, but he hasn't shown signs of slowing down yet, coming off of a 40-goal and 41-assist season. He has eclipsed 80 points in each of his last three seasons, including surpassing 40 goals in two of those seasons.

There will be some concerns about how Stamkos' production will hold up as he enters his late thirties, but he has been consistent to date. As the captain of a Tampa Bay squad that went to four Stanley Cup Finals and won two, his veteran presence and leadership could be valuable as the B's chase their elusive seventh Cup.