from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

So now what?

Well, it’s time for the suitors to make their intentions known.

"We're going to chase the big fish," Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray said in confirming his team’s long-rumored interest in Stamkos.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed Saturday that teams are allowed to publicly talk about their interest in other teams' pending UFAs now that the speaking window has opened.

And the Sabres, well, yeah, they will be in full pursuit of Stamkos. But they expect big-time competition....

I asked Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland to confirm his long-rumored interest in Stamkos after the draft on Saturday -- which became even more realistic after shedding Pavel Datsyuk's cap hit in a trade with the Arizona Coyotes on Friday -- but he declined to talks about Stamkos, pointing out that he didn't see the merit in revealing his UFA game plan to the world.

Nevertheless, it's absolutely 100 percent guaranteed that the Red Wings will make an offer to Stamkos. The Vancouver Canucks and, of course, his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs are among the other potential suitors, and some other teams might surprise.

All of which must be so deflating to Lightning GM Steve Yzerman, who has maintained impressive decorum throughout this process but especially in the last few days, when he had to watch the UFA window open up for other teams without having Stamkos re-signed.

more plus topics like Kevin Shattenkirk, Cam Fowler and others...

I know the Stamkos talk will be one of the major topics in the next week and I assure you KK will not become SS during that time, I will be selective in the talk...