from Martin Fennelly of the Tampa Tribune,

I’m not seeing a deal happening before the trade deadline. I’m also not seeing Stamkos agreeing to a trade that would make him some Western Conference rental player the rest of the season.

That leaves the other scenarios.

1) Stamkos gets traded after the season, before free agency.

No way.

2) Stamkos and the Lightning come to terms after the season, before free agency.

Slim chance.

3) Stamkos traipses into free agency. The Lightning get nothing.

Looking stronger every week.

Meanwhile, in a big game against division-leading Florida on Sunday night, Stamkos had only 14 minutes, 55 seconds of ice time — eighth among Lightning forwards. J.T. Brown had 2 more minutes of even-strength playing time than Stamkos.

Not exactly star treatment.

Is this how major players get treated by franchises bent on keeping them?

Not on my score sheet.

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