Insider confirms that the Leafs nearly landed Steven Stamkos

As media day took place at the opening of NHL training camps this week, both Stamkos and Lightning GM Julien BriseBois took different stances on their partnership when they met with the media to field questions. BriseBois says the team is opting for the more patient approach to sorting Stamkos' contract situation, while Stamkos aired his frustration very publicly about the lack of a new deal in place after so many of his teammates had been extended a year in advance of the expiration of their pre-existing contracts.

While discussing the Tampa/Stamkos situation on his most recent edition of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman dropped a bombshell about Stamkos nearly signing with the Leafs back in 2016.

Stamkos took his time back in 2016, as he approached free agency for the first time and was actually given permission from the Lightning to peruse the UFA market ahead of time and speak with different teams in order to determine his true market value. The Leafs were one of the teams who pitched the Markham, ON native, but ultimately, Stamkos re-signed in Tampa Bay on June 29th, 2016, inking an 8-year extension worth $8.5M per season.

This isn't necessarily breaking news, as it was well-known that the Leafs were one of several teams who made pitches for Stamkos in the summer of 2016. The big news that Friedman let slip on the podcast, though, was that the Leafs were actually a finalist for Stamkos' services that year, along with the Buffalo Sabres.

Of course, had Stamkos signed in Toronto in 2016, there's very likely no John Tavares homecoming. Another factor here is that Stamkos' AAV would have risen some, perhaps as high as $9.7M-$10M as Toronto couldn't offer the 8th year that Tampa had the exclusive right to do. Also, does it then mean that the Tampa Bay Lightning don't win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021? Would the Leafs be Stanley Cup champions had Stamkos inked a deal in Toronto instead? So much to think about.

One thing I'll be interested to see here is whether or not the Leafs make another pitch to Stamkos next summer if he tests free agency once again. Obviously, the money may prohibit that from happening, but if Nylander departs as a free agent next summer, it's something worth thinking about.