Player Discussion: The Official Steven Stamkos Appreciation Thread

[T REX]

It happens in sports a lot more than you realize. A lot of people say it's a business because it is a business. Wayne Gretzky and Tom Brady both played for other teams and both are considered goats in the sport they play in not just best in their respective cities they play in. It's not "rationalizations" it's called a business. Theyre not going to just sign you just because you been with the team for 16 years. It doesn't work that way.

Obviously, you don't know the story behind Gretzky...I've seen many Lightning fans use the Gretzky card.

EDM's owner overextended himself. He was about to file bankruptcy. LA sent $15 million in cash to keep the team solvent. Gretzky did not want to leave. Their coach even tried to stop the trade. LOL.

Great analogy. Not. SMDH

@Sky04 either talk directly to me or we can put each other on ignore. You have a problem with me then DM me or ignore me. But don't talk ISH in front of me. I don't attack any of your personally but some of you just can't handle someone "complaining" about the team. Pretty freaking sad and immature.

The guy complaining about how weak the team is every year is mad we didn't bring back a one dimensional complimentary player on his terms lmao this stuff writes itself.

FAKE NEWS!!!! Since when is an 81 points guy complimentary?

BUWAHAHAHAHA...I mean you believe that BS that you posted? 81 points...complimentary!

 

[Bartleby]

Obviously, you don't know the story behind Gretzky...I've seen many Lightning fans use the Gretzky card.

EDM's owner overextended himself. He was about to file bankruptcy. LA sent $15 million in cash to keep the team solvent. Gretzky did not want to leave. Their coach even tried to stop the trade. LOL.

Great analogy. Not. SMDH

@Sky04 either talk directly to me or we can put each other on ignore. You have a problem with me then DM me or ignore me. But don't talk ISH in front of me. I don't attack any of your personally but some of you just can't handle someone "complaining" about the team. Pretty freaking sad and immature.


FAKE NEWS!!!!

The circumstances don't have to be exactly the same for it to be an apt analogy and you have your facts wrong anyway, not to mention that you undercut your own argument by stating that Gretzky did not want to leave (which may or may not be true btw depending on whose story you believe about the influence of his wife and her desire to leave EDM for her acting career). In any event, neither did Stamkos as we all know.

Beyond that, EDM wasn't about to file bankruptcy in 1988, though it was losing money and the decision was, at least in large part, a financial one because Gretzky's contract was expiring and Pocklington felt certain he couldn't afford to keep him and still be able to fill his roster (and he was right to make the move, because with that cash and the other assets he got in return he did fill out his roster and EDM went on to win another Cup without Gretzky two years later - oh and team was not bankrupt and Pocklington was still owner). The bottom line is that he made a business decision to let a franchise player leave because that's what the circumstances called for in his mind. JBB made a business decision to let a franchise player leave because that's what the circumstances called for in his mind.

Let's hope that JBB, and we, are as fortunate as EDM was to have an upsetting decision turn into another Cup win. I don't think it is as likely (unless Vasy turns into 2020 Vasy again) but stranger things have happened.

 

[CupsOverCash]

Obviously, you don't know the story behind Gretzky...I've seen many Lightning fans use the Gretzky card.

EDM's owner overextended himself. He was about to file bankruptcy. LA sent $15 million in cash to keep the team solvent. Gretzky did not want to leave. Their coach even tried to stop the trade. LOL.

Great analogy. Not. SMDH

@Sky04 either talk directly to me or we can put each other on ignore. You have a problem with me then DM me or ignore me. But don't talk ISH in front of me. I don't attack any of your personally but some of you just can't handle someone "complaining" about the team. Pretty freaking sad and immature.


FAKE NEWS!!!! Since when is an 81 points guy complimentary?

BUWAHAHAHAHA...I mean you believe that BS that you posted? 81 points...complimentary!

Yea they had to move on because it was a business move. It's a business move here too. Sure its not the same thing but they can't afford to pay him "market" money because he's not worth "market" money to this team. At least according to the team. Stamkos even says it. I wanted to play here but not everyone wanted me here. Exact quote:

"At the end of the day, there was no question that I was willing to put all that stuff aside to remain a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning," Stamkos said. "It just seemed like maybe not everyone thought that way."

What would you have paid him?

 

[T REX]

The circumstances don't have to be exactly the same for it to be an apt analogy and you have your facts wrong anyway, not to mention that you undercut your own argument by stating that Gretzky did not want to leave (which may or may not be true btw depending on whose story you believe about the influence of his wife and her desire to leave EDM for her acting career). In any event, neither did Stamkos as we all know.

Beyond that, EDM wasn't about to file bankruptcy in 1988, though it was losing money and the decision was, at least in large part, a financial one because Gretzky's contract was expiring and Pocklington felt certain he couldn't afford to keep him and still be able to fill his roster (and he was right to make the move, because with that cash and the other assets he got in return he did fill out his roster and EDM went on to win another Cup without Gretzky two years later - oh and team was not bankrupt and Pocklington was still owner). The bottom line is that he made a business decision to let a franchise player leave because that's what the circumstances called for in his mind. JBB made a business decision to let a franchise player leave because that's what the circumstances called for in his mind.

Let's hope that JBB, and we, are as fortunate as EDM was to have an upsetting decision turn into another Cup win. I don't think it is as likely (unless Vasy turns into 2020 Vasy again) but stranger things have happened.

"When the Oilers joined the NHL, Gretzky continued to play under his personal services contract with Oilers owner Peter Pocklington. This arrangement came under increased scrutiny by the mid-1980s, especially following reports that Pocklington had used the contract as collateral to help secure a $31 million loan with the Alberta Treasury Branches. Amid growing concern around the NHL that a financial institution might be able to lay claim to Gretzky's rights in the event the heavily leveraged Pocklington were to declare bankruptcy, as well as growing dissatisfaction on the part of Gretzky and his advisers, in 1987, Gretzky and Pocklington agreed to replace the personal services contract with a standard NHL contract."

You have your facts wrong. I never said Pocklington filed bankruptcy. I even said he was close(to filing) because he overextended himself. SMDH.

Wow...just wow. You all win. It was the best move ever! JBB is a GOD!

 

[Stammertime91]

Yea they had to move on because it was a business move. It's a business move here too. Sure its not the same thing but they can't afford to pay him "market" money because he's not worth "market" money to this team. At least according to the team. Stamkos even says it. I wanted to play here but not everyone wanted me here. Exact quote:

"At the end of the day, there was no question that I was willing to put all that stuff aside to remain a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning," Stamkos said. "It just seemed like maybe not everyone thought that way."

What would you have paid him?

I'd have gone to 5M and who knows if that was the magic number, but let's say it was...

Sheary out, Atkinson in. You'd have your top 6 locked in with a bottom six of Paul, Atkinson, Glendening, Eyssimont, Chaffee and Girgensons. That's pretty damn good.

The unknown is what Moser is going to cost us, maybe it's more than anticipated (or cheaper). Anything north of 5M and you realize it costs any upgrade on defense like Moser. North of 6M and it's sentimental and likely a contract that doesn't get held up by years three and beyond (hypothetically).

 

[T REX]

Yea they had to move on because it was a business move. It's a business move here too. Sure its not the same thing but they can't afford to pay him "market" money because he's not worth "market" money to this team. At least according to the team. Stamkos even says it. I wanted to play here but not everyone wanted me here. Exact quote:

"At the end of the day, there was no question that I was willing to put all that stuff aside to remain a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning," Stamkos said. "It just seemed like maybe not everyone thought that way."

What would you have paid him?

If JBB was willing to go $3 X 8 then why not $4 X 8?

JBB didn't even try. But he's a GOD! The Jeannot debacle proves how amazing he is as a GM. 2 cups baby.

We'll just leave it here. Cool. Happy 4th

 

[CupsOverCash]

Wow...just wow. You all win. It was the best move ever! JBB is a GOD!

I don't think it was the best move ever. Just think they were thinking the long term contract wasn't worth it (business move) and that's why they didn't offer one to begin with. On open market he was definitely getting paid. We just were never going to do that. Should they have handled it better. Definitely. I just think there is more to it than that gets talked about publicly as much. His two way game limits the team and how they wanted to think about this long term big picture. It's easy for us fans. It's not really in either interest (stamkos and the team) to really get into it. Better to get paid and let the other team move on. There is still time later on to do the same things we've done with vl4, msl, and some other players who have left and played for other teams when they retired. He will get his love again from Tampa. I do think there was a better way of going about it. Not really sure what that was though.

 

[Stammertime91]

I don't think it was the best move ever. Just think they were thinking the long term contract wasn't worth it (business move) and that's why they didn't offer one to begin with. On open market he was definitely getting paid. We just were never going to do that. Should they have handled it better. Definitely. I just think there is more to it than that gets talked about publicly as much. His two way game limits the team and how they wanted to think about this long term big picture. It's easy for us fans. It's not really in either interest (stamkos and the team) to really get into it. Better to get paid and let the other team move on. There is still time later on to do the same things we've done with vl4, msl, and some other players who have left and played for other teams when they retired. He will get his love again from Tampa. I do think there was a better way of going about it. Not really sure what that was though.

Starting negotiations sooner and trading him at the TDL when both sides came to the inevitable conclusion. It's not like we were sure fire contenders. We could've saved the assets we spent for Dumba and Duclair, explored a Jeannot trade and dangled Stamkos for buyers. Losing him for nothing other than +3M cap space was a miss. Not having talks earlier was a miss. Obviously people disagree and what's happened is history, but not increasing to 4-5M was a miss. The people claiming he's one dimensional, a PP specialist, etc are the ones trying not to fathom a top 6 with Sheary or Atkinson in it. The same ones debating whether our handsomely paid 2.5C can up his point totals.

At this point, I'm just waiting to see what Moser signs for.

 

[T REX]

I don't think it was the best move ever. Just think they were thinking the long term contract wasn't worth it (business move) and that's why they didn't offer one to begin with. On open market he was definitely getting paid. We just were never going to do that. Should they have handled it better. Definitely. I just think there is more to it than that gets talked about publicly as much. His two way game limits the team and how they wanted to think about this long term big picture. It's easy for us fans. It's not really in either interest (stamkos and the team) to really get into it. Better to get paid and let the other team move on. There is still time later on to do the same things we've done with vl4, msl, and some other players who have left and played for other teams when they retired. He will get his love again from Tampa. I do think there was a better way of going about it. Not really sure what that was though.

If they thought a long term contract wasn't worth it then why offer $3 mill x 8? Makes no sense. I'm tired of arguing about this. Why not $4 mill x 8? That's not gonna make a difference. They treated him like dirt. The optics are bad. The team isn't significantly better. Sorry. Jbb is a POS. Jmho. I understand that he could crap in a bowl and tell some on here that it is chocolate ice cream and they'd eat up and say it's the best ice cream ever. I do not operate that way. Thanks. Have a great night.

 

[DFC]

Those deals were already in place. Like Hedman was gonna back out? LOL

He has 15 years here too. Yes, part is business. But if you don't think that how they treated Stammer isn't in the back of players heads...keep your head in the sand. Because you'll make any excuse for the team. That's ok. I get it.

But don't try to tell me that how we treated Stamkos is normal business. It's not. We could have told him up front that he wasn't in future plans. I've had to do that with employees. It sucks. But it is better than blindsiding employees. Believe it or not, no matter what business you are in...that ish gets out.

I'll go a step further...if JBB was HONEST with Stammer before the season? Stamkos would have asked for a trade like Marty. We could have at least done that. JBB is Bush league. Everyone else knows it outside of Tampa.

That stench isn't going away until JBB does. Deal with it.

I guess that's why nobody signs in Vegas.

 

[Stammertime91]

I guess that's why nobody signs in Vegas.

I guess you could say it's a gamble signing there.

 

[Sky04]

Starting negotiations sooner and trading him at the TDL when both sides came to the inevitable conclusion. It's not like we were sure fire contenders. We could've saved the assets we spent for Dumba and Duclair, explored a Jeannot trade and dangled Stamkos for buyers. Losing him for nothing other than +3M cap space was a miss. Not having talks earlier was a miss. Obviously people disagree and what's happened is history, but not increasing to 4-5M was a miss. The people claiming he's one dimensional, a PP specialist, etc are the ones trying not to fathom a top 6 with Sheary or Atkinson in it. The same ones debating whether our handsomely paid 2.5C can up his point totals.

At this point, I'm just waiting to see what Moser signs for.

Wait so you're trying to argue he's not? He was objectively one of the worst defensive forwards on the team this year. His ES production was on par with the 2.5 centerman and that guy doesn't even get to play with Kucherov half as much as Stamkos did.

I don't even think he's a PP specialist really, he's more the beneficiary of probably the best PP player in the league to be honest. He doesn't generate much on it himself on it.

 

[Stammertime91]

Wait so you're trying to argue he's not? He was objectively one of the worst defensive forwards on the team this year. His ES production was on par with the 2.5 centerman and that guy doesn't even get to play with Kucherov half as much as Stamkos did.

I don't even think he's a PP specialist really, he's more the beneficiary of probably the best PP player in the league to be honest. He doesn't generate much on it himself on it.

One season of being exceptionally bad doesn't make him a PP specialist. His numbers are trending downward 5v5 over the last few years, but they're still better than the exceptionally good defensive center everybody raves about at ES. Point was a -16 himself and was shit the second half of the year around the net. One minute it's that Stamkos is a PP specialist - ES numbers say otherwise. Now it's that he's bad defensively. He's not known for his two way game and never has been. Aside from +/-, the eye test shows he misses assignments, there's no arguing that. Yet, he's still good on the draw, better than Cirelli, and contributed at 5v5 on par and way above Cirelli can and ever has the last few years.

If he replicates another year where his numbers are 50% on the PP and he's utter dog shit defensively then you can say yeah, Nashville signed a powerplay specialist for 8M.

Stamkos hasn't driven a line since MSL was with him and back then it was really 1A/1B most nights with MSL knowing what to do for him. Since then, he's been by and large proven to be someone that needs a playmaker in order to click. That's how guys like him work. Saying he's shit defensively or on the wall fighting for pucks is a given. Just like it's a given Cirelli isn't sniping shots off the rush, Kucherov isn't playing defense like Hossa, etc. Why suddenly his game is critiqued in a way we never expected him to play in his career is just weird.

It's like suddenly critiquing Kucherov for his defensive play. 96 giveaways (52 for Stamkos) and most among forwards in the defensive zone, yet nobody would say a word about it because he produces. Nobody's expecting to iron out those deficiencies in his game.

Lastly, Cirelli has played with Kucherov and Point - it was not good. Go read the Cirelli thread for reminders of that. Him on the wing, out of his natural center position, was a dumpster fire. Just because you're on a line with Kucherov doesn't mean you'll produce. We've gone through several looks alongside Point/Kuch and none of them benefited like Stamkos did with them. Pointing out he's a beneficiary of an elite playmaker is something we've known for 15 years. It's not a groundbreaking revelation.

 

[Rschmitz]

Vl4 was bought out because he wasn't worth the contract he was at. There was no controversy but it's not all that different tbh. If a guy is let go when he can still be a great asset for the team then yea it's not smart asset management. If he's costing more than it's going to help the team you will not receive a ton of slack if you let him go. I don't care if he's a legend in the city or not. I remember vl4 was tough to watch and it was sad to let him go but was necessary. Stamkos isn't at that level yet but it could be soon and no fan here really wants to see that either. You start to blame the guy for costing the team wins at that point. We just weren't going to do that with the window the team still has.

When Lecavalier left, he didn't say "You're trying to hang onto something that doesn't want to hang onto you".

I think it's very different, at least the perception is. When it got out that we tried to trade VL to Toronto to buy out and then to re-sign him, and the league had to intervene, that put the team in much better standing with the fans. VL personally said he knew his contract was obscene, there was a genuine attempt to do everything in our power to keep him on the team. Vinny also got an nice fat check on the way out the door.

In this case, we wanted Stamkos a lot less than others, if at all. After the Sergachev trade happened, we had the ability to keep him. Now, obviously we don't know what the numbers were, JBB said that we couldn't meet Stamkos's financial expectations, but it does sound like Stamkos was willing to take less.

The cherry on top for me is signing Guentzel for more, and everything it implies. When VL left, we signed Filppula who was viewed as a big downgrade. It's a very clear message that we weren't forced into this, we wanted to upgrade Stamkos.

 

[Stammertime91]

When Lecavalier left, he didn't say "You're trying to hang onto something that doesn't want to hang onto you".

I think it's very different, at least the perception is. When it got out that we tried to trade VL to Toronto to buy out and then to re-sign him, and the league had to intervene, that put the team in much better standing with the fans. VL personally said he knew his contract was obscene, there was a genuine attempt to do everything in our power to keep him on the team. Vinny also got an nice fat check on the way out the door.

In this case, we wanted Stamkos a lot less than others, if at all. After the Sergachev trade happened, we had the ability to keep him. Now, obviously we don't know what the numbers were, JBB said that we couldn't meet Stamkos's financial expectations, but it does sound like Stamkos was willing to take less.

The cherry on top for me is signing Guentzel for more, and everything it implies. When VL left, we signed Filppula who was viewed as a big downgrade. It's a very clear message that we weren't forced into this, we wanted to upgrade Stamkos.

The only issue with upgrading him is that we moved on and at the moment still lack a top six winger. We "get better" hypothetically and on paper, but when Hagel goes on another +10 game goalless streak, Cirelli tops out at 45pts, and Paul/Atkinson/Sheary are playing top six, we revert back to a one scoring line team.

 

[ThunderRoad]

When Lecavalier left, he didn't say "You're trying to hang onto something that doesn't want to hang onto you".

I think it's very different, at least the perception is. When it got out that we tried to trade VL to Toronto to buy out and then to re-sign him, and the league had to intervene, that put the team in much better standing with the fans. VL personally said he knew his contract was obscene, there was a genuine attempt to do everything in our power to keep him on the team. Vinny also got an nice fat check on the way out the door.

In this case, we wanted Stamkos a lot less than others, if at all. After the Sergachev trade happened, we had the ability to keep him. Now, obviously we don't know what the numbers were, JBB said that we couldn't meet Stamkos's financial expectations, but it does sound like Stamkos was willing to take less.

The cherry on top for me is signing Guentzel for more, and everything it implies. When VL left, we signed Filppula who was viewed as a big downgrade. It's a very clear message that we weren't forced into this, we wanted to upgrade Stamkos.

And also for Lecavalier, this management team could fall back on it being the previous regime signing him to that contract and thus forcing the captain's departure. That their hands were tied and accountability lowered.

Stamkos is all on them. I think he was still useful and they should have made more of an effort. But if management had felt otherwise, kicking the can down the road to the end of the line, all while knowing they wanted to move on, giving Stamkos and the fanbase hope, was the wrong thing to do. The arguments can be made for why they wanted to cut ties but never to excuse how they handled it.

BriseBois knew there was going to be backlash so he avoided it to the very end and then quickly went back to radio/media silence after Monday's brief Q&A session. But in handling the Stamkos situation the way he did, he's made the departure worse for Stamkos, the team, and the fanbase.

And I still think he's damaged his reputation in the locker room. BriseBois can fall back on those guys liking it in Tampa and not wanting to leave, but now likely has them speaking ill of him when he's not around. If results aren't realized on the ice, the discord will likely grow much more quickly.

They didn't treat their captain with the upmost respect and that narrative in the league and media and probably within Amalie itself is now the consequence. Will it be worth it, them not just being upfront with Stamkos on their future plans? They could have saved alot of face by just having to explain it being a business decision of cap space and getting younger. Instead of also having to explain (which they haven't actually done) why they strung everyone along.

 

[CupsOverCash]

I'd have gone to 5M and who knows if that was the magic number, but let's say it was...

Sheary out, Atkinson in. You'd have your top 6 locked in with a bottom six of Paul, Atkinson, Glendening, Eyssimont, Chaffee and Girgensons. That's pretty damn good.

The unknown is what Moser is going to cost us, maybe it's more than anticipated (or cheaper). Anything north of 5M and you realize it costs any upgrade on defense like Moser. North of 6M and it's sentimental and likely a contract that doesn't get held up by years three and beyond (hypothetically).

Im with you we could have done something. There was that article 6 days ago about the rumor 3 mil offer. I wonder how true that was and if we didn't actually offer more when we cleared all that space. There was also rumors about him going to Nashville as a fit a while ago. In a business world and nhl is definitely a business first, fan second. It's not shocking to see it come together the way it did when we didn't send an offer last year. May have clicked for everyone in the room then.

If they thought a long term contract wasn't worth it then why offer $3 mill x 8? Makes no sense. I'm tired of arguing about this. Why not $4 mill x 8? That's not gonna make a difference. They treated him like dirt. The optics are bad. The team isn't significantly better. Sorry. Jbb is a POS. Jmho. I understand that he could crap in a bowl and tell some on here that it is chocolate ice cream and they'd eat up and say it's the best ice cream ever. I do not operate that way. Thanks. Have a great night.

3X8 is not a real offer anyone thought he would take. That's why i am skeptical about it or if it is real then it was a deal they never thought he would take because on the open market he was going to get a lot more. He tested the market last time and there were rumors about him going to Nashville earlier. Then there were rumors about us being interested in Guentzel back at the deadline. I think this was happening a long time ago. We definitely mishandled it. But it's not doom and gloom. I think it was a unfortunate set of events that really no side is free of guilt in

When Lecavalier left, he didn't say "You're trying to hang onto something that doesn't want to hang onto you".

I think it's very different, at least the perception is. When it got out that we tried to trade VL to Toronto to buy out and then to re-sign him, and the league had to intervene, that put the team in much better standing with the fans. VL personally said he knew his contract was obscene, there was a genuine attempt to do everything in our power to keep him on the team. Vinny also got an nice fat check on the way out the door.

In this case, we wanted Stamkos a lot less than others, if at all. After the Sergachev trade happened, we had the ability to keep him. Now, obviously we don't know what the numbers were, JBB said that we couldn't meet Stamkos's financial expectations, but it does sound like Stamkos was willing to take less.

The cherry on top for me is signing Guentzel for more, and everything it implies. When VL left, we signed Filppula who was viewed as a big downgrade. It's a very clear message that we weren't forced into this, we wanted to upgrade Stamkos.

It's about the way the team viewed him and how they handled that. I I think I find myself kind of upset with how they handled it but not disagreeing with the idea to move on. I really think the way jbb handled it with stamkos and the public was botched. If we win it will be all good. If not I think it will make him look bad and probably out of the job. Its clear that we wanted to move on and I think the thing that hurts is that we didn't try because he has been a good model player here. It sets a poor example. However it can also be viewed by many as business moves and it depends on the person. If we win jbb will be justified with the moves. If not and even if we go just a bit further than we have recently will probably still catch slack for this move and how he handled it and rightfully so. I think it would be far more justified to botch a window that was is still open after winning it back to back. Which isn't always the case with a team like that.

 

[Stammertime91]

Im with you we could have done something. There was that article 6 days ago about the rumor 3 mil offer. I wonder how true that was and if we didn't actually offer more when we cleared all that space. There was also rumors about him going to Nashville as a fit a while ago. In a business world and nhl is definitely a business first, fan second. It's not shocking to see it come together the way it did when we didn't send an offer last year. May have clicked for everyone in the room then.

3X8 is not a real offer anyone thought he would take. That's why i am skeptical about it or if it is real then it was a deal they never thought he would take because on the open market he was going to get a lot more. He tested the market last time and there were rumors about him going to Nashville earlier. Then there were rumors about us being interested in Guentzel back at the deadline. I think this was happening a long time ago. We definitely mishandled it. But it's not doom and gloom. I think it was a unfortunate set of events that really no side is free of guilt in

It's about the way the team viewed him and how they handled that. I I think I find myself kind of upset with how they handled it but not disagreeing with the idea to move on. I really think the way jbb handled it with stamkos and the public was botched. If we win it will be all good. If not I think it will make him look bad and probably out of the job. Its clear that we wanted to move on and I think the thing that hurts is that we didn't try because he has been a good model player here. It sets a poor example. However it can also be viewed by many as business moves and it depends on the person. If we win jbb will be justified with the moves. If not and even if we go just a bit further than we have recently will probably still catch slack for this move and how he handled it and rightfully so. I think it would be far more justified to botch a window that was is still open after winning it back to back. Which isn't always the case with a team like that.

I went back and watched some of the exit interviews and his presser earlier on. You can definitely see in hindsight Brisebois had no interest.

Watch Kucherovs exit interview. Obviously getting bounced was raw and it's not his job to play negotiator but his English in one of his answers sounded like "idk if he's back," when a reporter asked him about Stamkos. If we can say the writing was on the wall in hindsight, I imagine Hedman, Vasy, Kuch, Point at the very least knew it wasn't going well.

 

[JTBF81]

Regardless of the optics, it was likely the right move for the team beyond one or maybe two more seasons. JBB wasn't interested in watching the same thing for a third season in a row. Maybe his changes work, maybe they don't, but intentionally botching the rest if this core's window to overpay and keep a fan favorite past thelr prime isn't what good management should be doing. Since we don't know what each side was offering/willing to take, most of the complaining us based on rumor, not facts. All we know is that the two sides were pretty far apart, and JBB wasn't willing to pay him close to what he wanted. I seriously doubt Stamkos had any intention of signing an 8 year deal, and that his discount was likely something in the 6.5 rangex4 years, as he has said in the past he wanted to play 20 seasons in the league.

I think JBB didn't try to trade him.at the deadline because I don't think Stamkos would've waived, JBB did want to try and extend him, and because the team was starting to show signs of improvement in some areas so JBB decided to give them what he felt was their best chance that year (hence the trades that were made and the heavy push for Hanifin).

In the end, both sides did what they felt was best for their respective futures. Stamkos finally took the bag, and JBB continues the re-rool in order to keep the window open longer. JBB isn't getting fired more than likely unless.the team just craters the.next couple of seasons, or he wants to leave. Good luck to Stamkos in Nashville, and I hope he does well. I'll be cheering for them aside from their two games against Tampa.

 

[Bartleby]

"When the Oilers joined the NHL, Gretzky continued to play under his personal services contract with Oilers owner Peter Pocklington. This arrangement came under increased scrutiny by the mid-1980s, especially following reports that Pocklington had used the contract as collateral to help secure a $31 million loan with the Alberta Treasury Branches. Amid growing concern around the NHL that a financial institution might be able to lay claim to Gretzky's rights in the event the heavily leveraged Pocklington were to declare bankruptcy, as well as growing dissatisfaction on the part of Gretzky and his advisers, in 1987, Gretzky and Pocklington agreed to replace the personal services contract with a standard NHL contract."

You have your facts wrong. I never said Pocklington filed bankruptcy. I even said he was close(to filing) because he overextended himself. SMDH.

Wow...just wow. You all win. It was the best move ever! JBB is a GOD!

You said "he was about to file bankruptcy." That is categorically an untrue statement. He was never "about to file bankruptcy" and nothing you have cited above changes that fact. SMDH as you like to say.

 

[T REX]

You said "he was about to file bankruptcy." That is categorically an untrue statement. He was never "about to file bankruptcy" and nothing you have cited above changes that fact. SMDH as you like to say.

The league was worried he would. Multiple sources say that he was overextended at the time and the oilers were losing money. He was keeping them afloat through a line of credit. If you want to say what I said was untrue...fine. I'll recant. Here's a great read from Pocklington himself.

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/gretzky-trade-was-no-fun-pocklington-recalls-1.778339

All good dude.

 

[Renopucker]

Now that the dust has settled, at least a little bit, what are the projections for 91 in Smashville? I'll say he goes 25-25 and 50 points. Preds are notoriously D oriented and who, besides Josi, is going to feed him at the left dot on the PP.

Thoughts?

 

[DFC]

Now that the dust has settled, at least a little bit, what are the projections for 91 in Smashville? I'll say he goes 25-25 and 50 points. Preds are notoriously D oriented and who, besides Josi, is going to feed him at the left dot on the PP.

Thoughts?

I think 60 points his first year. 25-30 goals.

 

[Sky04]

Now that the dust has settled, at least a little bit, what are the projections for 91 in Smashville? I'll say he goes 25-25 and 50 points. Preds are notoriously D oriented and who, besides Josi, is going to feed him at the left dot on the PP.

Thoughts?

Why would Stamkos play the left dot over their 48 goal scorer with a RH shot?

 

[Renopucker]

Why would Stamkos play the left dot over their 48 goal scorer with a RH shot?

OK, maybe he’s on the 2nd PP. How many points is he gonna get? If you don’t want to hazard a guess, fine.