The Stamkos Trade That Wasn't: How A Single Veto Could Have Altered A Decade Of NHL History For The Lightning And Rangers

Steven Stamkos is one of the NHL's best players over the last decade. A multiple-time Stanley Cup champion and likely a future Hockey Hall of Famer. All of this could've been drastically changed by one move that almost happened.

Stamkos To New York?

There is a rumor that has come to the surface that Steven Stamkos was almost moved to the Big Apple. The New York Rangers were looking to bring in Stamkos during his second year in the league. Here were the rumored trade details.



With these trade details, the Rangers would've gotten Stamkos for a steal. While players like Del Zotto, Callahan, Dubinsky, and Girardi are all solid NHLers at the time they do not stack up to the impact that Stamkos has had.

A New Dynasty In The NHL?

With this trade, the New York Rangers could've changed the course of several NHL dynasties throughout history. The most obvious change is of course the Tampa Bay Lightning most likely do not win the two Stanley Cups that they did.


On top of that the New York Rangers likely take down the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 Stanley Cup. This breaks up the Los Angeles dynasty as well. Going forward the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins chances of being multiple-time champions diminish as well.

Of course, this is all just speculation based on a trade proposal lost to history. It would be fun to see an alternate dimension where Steven Stamkos brings down several of the NHL's greatest modern dynasties. Unfortunately, we will all have to settle for the reality of Stamkos staying in Tampa Bay and creating his legacy there.

As Read On - Hockey Patrol - Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers Trade: Steven Stamkos Trade That Almost Happened, How One Veto Could've Changed the NHL's Last Decade