Stamkos enjoys rare in-season visit home

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos returned to his family home in Markham this week, getting a rare chance to feel what it would be like to live at home.

“I was almost a little bored actually,” said Stamkos. “You’re back at the parent’s house, sitting around talking. It was good, it was a peaceful day, nice to see the family again. Have a nice home-cooked meal . . . that’s always fun.”

Stamkos could have that all the time starting July 1 if he so chooses.

One of the league’s premier offensive players since his arrival in 2008, Stamkos will be an unrestricted free agent. And there’s been strong speculation — or maybe naive hope? — that Stamkos will sign with the Maple Leafs and speed up their rebuild.

The trick for the media Tuesday was how to ask that question without actually asking it; Stamkos has been reluctant to face the Toronto media.

As cat-and-mouse games go, especially ones with a huge elephant in the room, the media scrum Tuesday that surrounded Stamkos was tame.

While the group waited for Stamkos to shower and dress following Tampa’s morning skate, the best question anyone could think of was: What are the chances you’ll be in blue and white next season? Both the Leafs and Lightning wear blue and white, so he could answer any way he liked. The question never got asked. In its place, Stamkos was asked his thoughts on the Maple Leafs’ rebuilding process.

“When I first got to Tampa, it wasn’t winning all the time either. They (the Leafs) have great young skilled players we saw on the team we saw last game. They gave us a great game.”

The belief is Stamkos will try to win the Stanley Cup in Tampa, then test free agency with no shortage of suitors, including Detroit, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Montreal and, of course, Toronto. Kevin McGran