Rumor: Steven Stamkos to Toronto Maple Leafs

steven stamkos trade toronto maple leafs

The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to trade Steven Stamkos before the 2016 NHL trade deadline in February. It's no secret that talks have broken down between Stamkos' agent and Lightning GM Steve Yzerman.

After his team defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, Stamkos did not comment on the trade speculation. He said his concern is simply improving his game and not where he'll end up next year. Stamkos is without a contract next season, so speculation is not going away.

Stamkos is struggling this year with 11 goals and 22 points in 32 games. He is on pace to score under 30 goals. For a former first overall draft pick who scored 60 goals in the 2011-12 season, this massive decline in goal production is puzzling. If he ends up with under 30 goals, it would be his lowest goal total in a full season since his rookie year.

Is the uncertainty about his future affecting Stamkos' game play? Where and when will he be traded? Stamkos did his best to ignore the chants of "Sign Stamkos" from the crowd in Toronto when he played the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, but you could tell it wasn't easy for him to ignore. The uncertainty of his future is a distraction to Stamkos and his team.

Despite his decline in production, there are many teams inquiring about the sniper. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings are interested in trading for Steven Stamkos. The Maple Leafs are the front runner because Toronto is Stamkos' hometown, and the Leafs will do whatever it takes to sign him.