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Steven Stamkos should be with a new team after the free agent market opens at noon ET on Monday.
Will Guenzel be the one to replace him in Tampa Bay?
Stamkos, who spent his entire 16-year career with the Lightning, is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The Lightning and the captain have been trying to come to terms on a new contract, but that seems unlikely unless a last-minute deal is reached.
If he hits the market, the 34-year-old forward is coming off a season in which he had 81 points (40 goals, 41 assists), and there should be plenty of interest.
But there are doubts about whether Guenzel will sign with the Lightning after he was traded from Carolina to Tampa Bay on Sunday in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Guenzel could become a UFA on Monday, but the Lightning are obviously hoping that doesn't happen, having sent a pick to Carolina to acquire exclusive negotiating rights to him before the market opens.
The Lightning also plan to sign defenseman Victor Hedman to a long-term contract that will begin next season. Hedman is signed through the 2024-25 season, so he can sign when the market opens on Monday.
Either way, Stamkos appears to have brought his legendary journey to Tampa Bay to a close: He won two Stanley Cups and is the Lightning's all-time leader in games played (1,082) and offensive statistical categories such as goals (555) and points (1,137).
Where he ultimately ends up remains to be seen. Like all players who hit the free agent market on Monday, we'll find out soon.
The list is long and full of familiar names, including Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights last year, and Brandon Montour, who was fresh off a victory parade with the Florida Panthers on Sunday.
Sam Reinhart, who scored 57 goals in the regular season for the Panthers and scored the deciding goal in their Cup win, is also a UFA soon, but Florida is expected to re-sign him unless the relationship falls apart.
If the Panthers can't do that, Reinhart's name will likely be high on many teams' wish lists.
The Panthers alone have 11 players who could become UFAs on Monday, meaning changes could come for the Stanley Cup winning team.
In addition to the Panthers, Lightning and Golden Knights, other teams to watch as the market opens include:
Toronto Maple Leafs: The team is hoping they can fill that gap with defenseman Chris Tanev, who they acquired in a trade with the Dallas Stars on Friday but have yet to sign — Tanev is set to become a UFA and is a sure thing to sign with the Maple Leafs — but he needs to improve on the defensive and goaltending sides of the ball.
New York Rangers: Would they trade defenseman/captain Jacob Trouba and sign a high-priced UFA?
Utah Hockey Club: Utah made some headlines Saturday by acquiring defensemen Mikhail Sergachev and John Marino in separate trades, but is also looking to acquire a couple of veteran forwards and possibly another defenseman.
Montreal Canadiens: Is it time to accelerate the rebuild by spending money to acquire one or two key players in free agency?
Boston Bruins: Will they get the center they need, and will that center be Elias Lindholm?
Carolina Hurricanes: Brett Pesce and Brady Skei are UFA candidates. Will one or both return? If both depart, it will be a tough day for the Hurricanes.
This is just the beginning – there's lots going on throughout the day, so follow us here for all the latest updates, news and analysis.
