Brooks: Rangers Had Deal for Stamkos
I have no idea how I missed this one yesterday. According to Larry Brooks, the Rangers had a “hand-shake” deal in place for Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos last season. The 2008 first overall pick, Stamkos struggled last season, and many around the league were questioning if the rookie center was really ready for the NHL. Clearly, he has shown that he is ready with his breakout performance this year.
The Rangers were set to send two or three of Michael Del Zotto, Evgeny Grachev, Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, and Dan Girardi. Considering it is Stamkos, I would assume it was three from that list, and that it would have included the two defensemen and a forward, considering Tampa’s lack of defensive strength. Would you have traded Del Zotto, Girardi, and one of Grachev/Callahan/Dubinsky for Stamkos? In short: hell yes. It’s too bad that both Oren Joules and Brian Lawton shot the deal down.
By brian, April 5, 2010 @ 1:01 pm
Hell Yes is right.
How awesome would that have been
By Matt, April 5, 2010 @ 1:31 pm
No freaking brainer….dam, this news kills me though.
By Dave, April 5, 2010 @ 2:35 pm
It really points out that no one had any control over anything in TB last year. I wish Len Barrie ran that team.
The only person in that deal that would hurt would be Callahan.