Pending UFA Karlsson wooed by Stamkos over All Star Game dinner

No doubt about it, the 2019 NHL free agent class is shaping up to be the strongest crop in history. With Erik Karlsson, Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky all slated to hit the open market, NHL general managers will have three top three players at their position available for the offering. Throw in Ottawa Senators forwards Matt Duchess and Mark Stone and it’s unquestionably the best free agent crop we’ve seen in over a decade… but of course, there’s one giant caveat: the players have to make it to free agency first.

In the case of Karlsson, there are no guarantees that he’ll hit the open market as he has expressed interest in negotiating with his current team, the San Jose Sharks. But, another superstar player who was in his exact same position just three seasons ago, Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, may be attempting to lure the Norris Trophy winning blue liner. How? With tacos.

Following Saturday afternoon’s disappointing losses in the All Star Game Stamkos and Karlsson decided to break free and get some consolatory tacos at a San Jose restaurant. 

Check it out:

"It does not mean anything, but at the same time, I found it interesting because his #1 destination last summer for a transaction was Tampa Bay," said TVA reporter Louis Jean earlier today. "I know he appreciates his experience in San Jose, but there's room on the Lightning blue line for next year." 

With pricey veterans Anton Stralman, Braydon Coburn and Dan Girardi coming off the Lightning’s books this offseason, there’s certainly room for Karlsson to join Stamkos and fellow Swede Victor Hedman in Tampa, but again that’s assuming he decides not to re-up in San Jose.