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Flyers pass on offer sheet to Stamkos

After more than two days of internal debate and number crunching, the Flyers have decided to pass on submitting an offer sheet for restricted free agent Steven Stamkos.

Stamkos, 21, has been negotiating with Tampa Bay for more than a month on a new contract extension but the two sides have yet to reach an agreement.

Stamkos could agree to any offer sheet submitted starting at noon tomorrow if he does not come to an agreement with the Lightning before then.

The conventional thinking inside the Flyers' camp is that by submitting an offer sheet to Stamkos, while it could ultimately net one of the three top forwards in the NHL, could also reduce their other options on the free agent if it is match by Tampa Bay.

Reports all along have said Lightning GM Steve Yzerman would match any offer presented.

With that, the Flyers will shift their attention to rounding out their roster.

Among the names that the Flyers have interest in are Michael Ryder, Jamie Langenbrunner, John Madden and Erik Cole.

Before noon tomorrow, the Flyers could also put on the full court press to re-sign Ville Leino, who will have the opportunity to talk to all 29 other teams starting then.

Attempts to reach both Leino - who is vacationing back in his native Finland - and his agent, Bill Zito of ACME Sports, have been unsuccessful.

More to come...

For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers