Detroit? The Red Wings have made the playoffs for 25 straight seasons, have talented youngsters, including Dylan Larkin, and are moving into a new arena in 2017-18. They need a No. 1 center, especially now that Pavel Datsyuk has decided to leave the NHL. But they have lost in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row, the last two years to the Lightning. Stamkos had to ask himself if they could contend for the Cup again with him.
Buffalo? The Sabres have restocked with young players like Jack Eichel, the second pick in the draft last year. General manager Tim Murray said Saturday the Sabres were going after the "big fish" in free agency and weren't afraid to spend to reel Stamkos in, because they had enough players on less-expensive contracts to surround him. Murray also said Stamkos would play center. But they have missed the playoffs for five straight seasons. Stamkos had to wonder when the Sabres would make the playoffs with him, let alone contend for the Cup.
Toronto? The Maple Leafs are Stamkos' hometown team. They made Auston Matthews the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft on Friday. But coach Mike Babcock might not have committed to playing Stamkos at center, and they have missed the playoffs three years in a row and 10 times in the last 11 seasons. Stamkos had to wonder about the Maple Leafs the same as he did about the Sabres: When will they make the playoffs, let alone contend for the Cup?
Vancouver? Montreal? Boston? New York, whether the Islanders or Rangers? None were sure things. The only sure thing was the paradox of choice: more options, more stress. It's a nice problem to have to take less money when less money means an average of $8.5 million per year, but it was a dilemma nonetheless. At this point, the big surprise is Stamkos never really peeked at the other side to see how green the grass would have been.