But the choice isn't between Guentzel or Stamkos now. We have the money for both. The question still remains: who else is better than Stamkos for his price?
Exactly, if money being reporter is true. Signing Stamkos at that price seems to be an easy choice, right? One has to ask, what else is driving this GM then? BriseBois is risking Lightning reputation, team chemistry, and much more with his moves last 3 years., And for what? So a GM can maybe say at GM's parties...."This is my team, built my way, my decisions, etc.". While BriseBois looks around room to see where Yzerman is standing? Who knows, but BriseBois choice to not sign Stamkos at that price is suspect. Thanks to all posters who post team cap situation tables/info to what team might look like. Those are very helpful and appreciated.... :
For those who say in 3 or 4 years, what will Stamkos be?
- Shoot, what will alot of pieces on Lightning be in 3-5 yrs? This matters....
- Hedman, McD, Cernak, and other forwards will be close to where Stamkos is at right now age wise? After Serg's exit, winning right now is even more so....
- Will it even matter in 3-4 years, what Stamkos game is or isn't? Especially if cap continues to grow like this season, that 4-5 million will be even less of burden and not what keeps Lightning from contending.
- Though GM's plan was to win right now while Kuch, Vasy, Point, and others are in prime.
- This was motor and reasoning to why Lightning kept giving up farm for this or that player lately. Wasn't it?
- How does letting Stamkos, who scored 100 points 2 yrs ago and 40 goals last season, help with that plan of winning right now? Especially if rumored contract cost is true.
- But instead of signing decent valued deal, GM is going to let another Lightning legend walk away for free. Then sign huge contract that puts Lightning right back in depth hell afterwards?
- Plus, GM did no favors for traded players either, where trade cost an arm, leg, and bonus body-parts. (Stamkos replacement will face same fate: hope I'm way wrong but afraid fans will want pound of flesh here too). Bringing in another high priced contract, on a team loaded with high priced contracts, is not what's needed.
- Crapping on Stamkos, who took team deal after team deal his whole career but this is his reward? Our house is quite ashamed who Lightning are now after years of being proud of Lightning's treatment of players/fans.
- GM is killing Lightning organization reputation that took years to build. There's more to a winning cultural than what some stat sheet says. Lightning will end up with mercenary type players, who will quit at first sign of troubled waters. Hired help usually does this more than not. Many players will give type of effort we witnessed in first round within this new culture. Anyone supporting how this GM operates last 3 years, can't complain when future players stick it to this organization with a.... "Me first attitude"
Some things aren't as simple as X's and O's, stats, and such. GM behavior is #1 BS, and our house understood tough choices had to be made with flat-cap timing. But choice to treat players with so much disrespect, did not have to be part of that equation. Did it? Everyone of those Lightning players deserved, earned, and should've gotten much better treatment! How dare this GM talk about what this or that player earn or deserves. Screw him..... Especially after causing an environment where Stamkos and others risked futures. While at same time, giving new players respect not earned(
GM divided this lockeroom, it shows) Doesn't matter what BriseBois does, signs, or what success could happen now. Hard to enjoy all that with so much poison within drink: Suppose it's like going to an amusement park on a raining day!