When Steven Stamkos and Leo Komarov were standing beside each other for the introductions of the competitors at the 2016 NHL Skills Competition here on Saturday evening, Maple Leafs fans wondered if these two might be linemates next season.
Despite Stamkos’s insistence on Friday that he wants to remain in Tampa if possible rather than test the free-agent market, Leafs Nation envisioned this scene as a possible snapshot of the future in Toronto next season.
That’s certainly the conclusion that came across from Toronto supporters on Twitter, who certainly didn’t hide their hopes that the two will be teammates when the puck is dropped on the 2016-17 campaign next October.