Will Leafs Pursue Stamkos? Part 2

[ACC1224]

All the talk about Stamkos.......
We as Leaf fans should realize that high-end FA's use the Leafs for bargaining power but rarely, if ever, come here

Any examples?

 

[Fogelhund]

Can he play C?

Yes, he can play Coach.

 

[ShaneFalco]

John Tavares
P.K. Subban ( if the marriage with the Habs broke apart)
Rick Nash
Wasn't Statsny rumoured to be coming here?

But more often than not, and I perhpas shoud have re-phrased my original post, they don't even make it to FA, but were rumoured to be possibly coming to TO.
What FA in their prime has signed here? And I'm not talking coaches or GM's

 

[Gabriel426]

Can't believe that the moment TB leaked their extension offer, people are giving up hope. Nothing changed at all. TB will always make an offer to resign Stamkos. The key is whether or not Stamkos wants to play for the Leafs. He will sign with the Leafs only if he rejects TB and other offers. I am betting that he does want to play for the Leafs.

 

[Jerkini]

Can't believe that the moment TB leaked their extension offer, people are giving up hope. Nothing changed at all. TB will always make an offer to resign Stamkos. The key is whether or not Stamkos wants to play for the Leafs. He will sign with the Leafs only if he rejects TB and other offers. I am betting that he does want to play for the Leafs.

He's waited this long and already endured the brunt of the criticism. Seems silly not to wait until July 1st. Then again i'm sure once you get over a certain number, squeezing a few extra million won't matter.

 

[studebaker17]

Can't believe that the moment TB leaked their extension offer, people are giving up hope. Nothing changed at all. TB will always make an offer to resign Stamkos. The key is whether or not Stamkos wants to play for the Leafs. He will sign with the Leafs only if he rejects TB and other offers. I am betting that he does want to play for the Leafs.

Not sure how to read into the offer. i get the feeling they don't want to resign him but have to make an offer for public image that they know he'll refuse. It wouldn't surprise me if it was Yzerman that leaked it.

 

[Stephen]

Not sure how to read into the offer. i get the feeling they don't want to resign him but have to make an offer for public image that they know he'll refuse. It wouldn't surprise me if it was Yzerman that leaked it.

Phil Esposito said something about a "first final offer" back in December. He said Tampa would come out with a take it or leave it style deal. Maybe this is it and they conversation doesn't go further?

 

[Gabriel426]

Stamkos to Leafs was never based on TB not offering an extension, it was always about Stamkos wanting to play for the Leafs.

 

[Pookie]

Tampa Bay Times - (Jan 24th):

TAMPA — C Steven Stamkos would neither confirm nor deny a report by Canada's Sportsnet TV network that the Lightning has offered him an eight-year, $68 million contract extension in recent weeks.

"I'm not going to comment on that," Stamkos said Sunday at the Lightning's family carnival at Amalie Arena. "We haven't talked about that stuff in the media all season long, and I don't know how they get a hold of stuff like that. All the things that we've talked about, it's staying internally, and it'll continue to be that way."

But Stamkos, in the final year of his current deal, reiterated he hopes to stay with Tampa Bay for a long time. He has said communication between his agents at Newport Sports and the Lightning has remained open and negotiations are not at a stalemate.

Neither GM Steve Yzerman nor Stamkos' agents had commented on the Saturday report.

The $8.5 million annual average of the offer is believed to be an initial offer. It would be $1 million more than what Stamkos is making this season.

Stamkos spent Sunday playing bubble hockey and pingpong with Lightning fans, many of whom were wearing his No. 91 jersey. The second annual carnival sold out as 3,200 fans participated in 40 interactive games and activities. Proceeds benefit local nonprofit groups.

"I've been in a few organizations, and I've never had anything like this," D Anton Stralman said.

That culture on and off the ice created by owner Jeff Vinik is one reason Stamkos loves playing here.

"It's fantastic," Stamkos said. "When Mr. Vinik bought the team, this was the vision that he had, to have this support of the community and fans like we do."

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/lightnings-stamkos-mum-on-reported-contract-offer/2262616

 

[supermann_98]

If Stamkos hits FA nothing is stopping him from signing the exact same deal as he would if he re-signs now.

Why not hit FA and leave all options on the table? I just don't understand the rush from a players perspective to re-sign as quickly and as often as they all seem to do these days.

 

[studebaker17]

If Stamkos hits FA nothing is stopping him from signing the exact same deal as he would if he re-signs now.

Why not hit FA and leave all options on the table? I just don't understand the rush from a players perspective to re-sign as quickly and as often as they all seem to do these days.

I'm to lazy to look it up but if a player goes to July 1st does the team he played for lose the ability to offer the extra 8th yr on a contract ? If so that could be 1 reason.

 

[Stephen]

What's preferable, an 8 year $68 million deal to re-sign in Tampa, or a 7 year $70 million deal elsewhere, aka here in Toronto?

Or, to think outside the box, what if a team with cap space were to front load a short term deal and offer him $42 million for 3 seasons?

He'd make the bulk of that money and be young enough to still pull in another 5 year deal worth about $50 million, which would bring up his 8 year earning totals to about $92 million instead of what Tampa's offering.

 

[TiMo15]

I can't be sure if Stamkos want to play with the Leafs. Yes he is a local boy, but if he signs FA with the Leafs I think one of the biggest reason would be the winning coach - Mike Babcock. He could turn him to be another elite level player in 2 or 3 years. With Leafs have starting putting the blueprint and stocking up all the draft picks, Stamkos could be playing a very big part of the rebuilding or being a competitive playoff team during his prime time. I don't know if it will be a contender yet because this season is only their first year rebuilding overall.

 

[Gabriel426]

I'm to lazy to look it up but if a player goes to July 1st does the team he played for lose the ability to offer the extra 8th yr on a contract ? If so that could be 1 reason.

I can see players doing that bc they are close to 30, like Kopitar where by the 8th yr of the contract, he might not be able to bank in the dollar since he will be 36. Stamkos is different in that he will be 33 when a 7yr deal ends.

 

[Pookie]

Ever think that he and his agent were waiting for Kopitar to go first?

Set the bar. Establish the market?

Seems that's what has happened. He confirms negotiations are ongoing and not at a stalemate. That the 8.5 was an initial offer.

He may not sign but there is a strategy here that doesn't necessarily point to wanting to play for "Babs"

 

[HoweHullOrr]

Ever think that he and his agent were waiting for Kopitar to go first?

Set the bar. Establish the market?

Seems that's what has happened. He confirms negotiations are ongoing and not at a stalemate. That the 8.5 was an initial offer.

He may not sign but there is a strategy here that doesn't necessarily point to wanting to play for "Babs"

Just to pile more speculation on the subject, it would be interesting to find out who leaked the $8.5 m figure. If was the Lightning organization, I see this more as setting fan expectations and damage control on their part. Given that both camps have been tight lipped on this, it was interesting that there was this 1st leak.

At any rate, I am so torn on this subject. On one hand, I tend to prefer the patient rebuild. And on the other, I can't say it wouldn't work with certainty if SS was to sign. I'll accept either outcome one way or another.

There's been so much speculation and its been going on for quite some time, it will be good when its all over just so people can talk about something else. This must be wearing down the TBL fans, and Stevie Y is certainly on the hot seat on this one.

 

[JEI]

What's preferable, an 8 year $68 million deal to re-sign in Tampa, or a 7 year $70 million deal elsewhere, aka here in Toronto?

Or, to think outside the box, what if a team with cap space were to front load a short term deal and offer him $42 million for 3 seasons?

He'd make the bulk of that money and be young enough to still pull in another 5 year deal worth about $50 million, which would bring up his 8 year earning totals to about $92 million instead of what Tampa's offering.

Doubt a player in his position signs a short term deal. Not in todays NHL.

 

[Pookie]

Just to pile more speculation on the subject, it would be interesting to find out who leaked the $8.5 m figure. If was the Lightning organization, I see this more as setting fan expectations and damage control on their part. Given that both camps have been tight lipped on this, it was interesting that there was this 1st leak.

At any rate, I am so torn on this subject. On one hand, I tend to prefer the patient rebuild. And on the other, I can't say it wouldn't work with certainty if SS was to sign. I'll accept either outcome one way or another.

There's been so much speculation and its been going on for quite some time, it will be good when its all over just so people can talk about something else. This must be wearing down the TBL fans, and Stevie Y is certainly on the hot seat on this one.

On the leak, possible but maybe both sides were interested in releasing a little info.

In that article, Stamkos "leaks" that negotiations are ongoing and not at a statement.

Maybe both camps are trying to get the media to back off to allow the team to play without these constant questions.

Release a little. It calms nerves for awhile. And maybe the team plays well.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Not sure how to read into the offer. i get the feeling they don't want to resign him but have to make an offer for public image that they know he'll refuse. It wouldn't surprise me if it was Yzerman that leaked it.

Agreed. The leaked offer was for TB to save face. Stamkos is gone. He will refuse to be traded to punish TB as he is sick of management.

 

[HoweHullOrr]

Just to pile more speculation on the subject, it would be interesting to find out who leaked the $8.5 m figure. If was the Lightning organization, I see this more as setting fan expectations and damage control on their part. Given that both camps have been tight lipped on this, it was interesting that there was this 1st leak.

At any rate, I am so torn on this subject. On one hand, I tend to prefer the patient rebuild. And on the other, I can't say it wouldn't work with certainty if SS was to sign. I'll accept either outcome one way or another.

There's been so much speculation and its been going on for quite some time, it will be good when its all over just so people can talk about something else. This must be wearing down the TBL fans, and Stevie Y is certainly on the hot seat on this one.

On the leak, possible but maybe both sides were interested in releasing a little info.

In that article, Stamkos "leaks" that negotiations are ongoing and not at a stalement.

Maybe both camps are trying to get the media to back off to allow the team to play without these constant questions.

Release a little. It calms nerves for awhile. And maybe the team plays well.

What I stated was just speculation for sure. What you said could be true. I was just trying to understand who said it and the motivation for coming out with that info. If I was climbing into the head of the individual that leaked the info, that was a scenario that made some sense to me.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

I am not too sure about Stamkos. His production is on the decline but this may just be the way he is being used. If we can't move one of Bozak/Phaneuf/Lupul we will be in cap hell if we do sign him. I do whoever believe Stamkos fills a need on this team, and Lou/Shanny know that. Nylander will be in the NHL next season along with the possibility of Marner. There will probably be alot of youth in that dressing room, and having someone like Stamkos to deflect that attention away from the rookies and onto Stamkos as the "superstar" on the Leafs would really go a long way in helping the transition to the NHL. If you think about it, without Stamkos, all anyone will ever talk about next year is how Marner/Nylander have done. A couple games without points and the sky will be falling. With Stamkos however, the attention will be on him. Everyone is going to want a quote from the Leafs' shiny new superstar.

 

[Stephen]

I am not too sure about Stamkos. His production is on the decline but this may just be the way he is being used. If we can't move one of Bozak/Phaneuf/Lupul we will be in cap hell if we do sign him.

Why would we be in cap hell when Bozak and Lupul's contracts expire around the time Nylander and Marner's ELCs expire.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

Why would we be in cap hell when Bozak and Lupul's contracts expire around the time Nylander and Marner's ELCs expire.

Kadri and Rielly need new deals. JVR is up in 2. Cap hell may be a bit of an exaggeration but it certainly would help alot to move one of those 3.

 

[Stephen]

Kadri and Rielly need new deals. JVR is up in 2. Cap hell may be a bit of an exaggeration but it certainly would help alot to move one of those 3.

It's not an automatic Kadri or JVR have to be in our plans.

 

[Menzinger]

As I edge ever closer to the "sign Stamkos" camp - I still say Dion's contract will be a bigger hinder ace to the Leafs having cap flexibility than a Stamkos deal. Dion is at present a good #3, with an awful lot of term left.

Stamkos even if he regresses to a 60-70 point player for his entire deal, is still based on production in the upper tier of first line talent in the league.

Doubt a player in his position signs a short term deal. Not in todays NHL.

Yep, too much risk for the player.