In what is expected to be a heated battle for Steven Stamkos, the Tampa Bay Lightning's franchise leader, three teams have emerged as serious contenders for the free-agent center. According to reports, the Boston Bruins, Nashville Predators, and Detroit Red Wings have expressed strong interest in acquiring Stamkos and are prepared to offer him multi-year contracts.

Stamkos, who declined a five-year, $3 million AAV deal from the Lightning, is set to become a highly sought-after player in the open market. The decision to let him explore other options has left fans and analysts shocked, as the notion of Stamkos leaving Tampa Bay seemed unimaginable.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet believes that the Nashville Predators have a strong chance of landing Stamkos. With ample cap space and a desire to bolster their secondary scoring, the Preds seem like an ideal fit for the star center. Additionally, Stamkos would benefit from the absence of income tax in the state of Tennessee and the attractive weather.

Nashville, a team that surpassed expectations last season, is viewed as an up-and-coming force in the NHL. They have the resources to offer Stamkos a lucrative contract and are poised to contend for the Stanley Cup in the near future.

While Friedman's prediction favors the Predators, there are undoubtedly other suitors vying for Stamkos' services. It remains to be seen how the talented center will handle the negotiations, especially after his dissatisfaction with the 2016 dog-and-pony show that ultimately ended prematurely.

Stamkos, coming off an impressive 81-point season, has long been a cornerstone of the Lightning organization. However, it appears that he is craving the respect that he believes he deserves from Tampa Bay's management.

As the clock ticks down to the opening of the free-agent market on Monday, the race to secure Stamkos intensifies. For now, all eyes are on Nashville, a team with the financial means, young talent, and ambitions to strike a deal that could shape the landscape of the NHL.