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Pegula Warming In The Bullpen |
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It started as a whisper.
Then became a phone call.
Followed by brief, face to face meetings on the draft floor between three teams.
Now, it's a full blown courtship.
The NHL free agency discussion period opened in Buffalo on Saturday morning. It's a five-day courting period in which teams can see the prospective free agents that they have identified as desirous on the who, what, where, when and why of their organizations..
Still, if Saturday afternoon made anything clear — and the Stamkos situation is as muddle of moving parts — it’s that the Maple Leafs, while they are Stamkos’ hometown team, are just one of many clubs poised to make offers for the Markham native’s services.
The Steven Stamkos brand has been trending in Buffalo for the past six months and on Saturday, the love affair between the number one free agent in NHL history and the Sabres intensified ten fold when Sabres GM Tim Murray let it be known to the hockey world that he is prepared to land "the big fish" in free agency.
Stamkos' agent was seen on the draft floor and inside the First Niagara Center.
He was spotted chatting with NHL GMs and team owners.
One such meeting occurred on Day 2 of the NHL Draft when Tim Murray introduced Sabres owner and draft host Terry Pegula to the agent for Stamkos and so many of the A-List players who call the NHL their workplace. Pegula, the billionaire owner, and his organization have wowed the NHL industry by rolling out the Blue & Gold carpet at the NHL Scouting Combine and NHL Draft.
Pegula's world class level of hospitality has really resonated with those in power inside the NHL. Pegula has effectively and successfully rebranded Buffalo as an important destination for hockey. Be it amateur, youth, NCAA, IIHF, pro women's, or NHL. Pegula has architected and perfected the Hockey Heaven motif in just five year's time. NHL GMs, players, agents and out of town media raved to me this past weekend about the first-class treatment that Pegula and Pegula S[ports and Entertainment team provided to visitors from all over the world to the NHL Draft and NHL Scouting Combine.
Pegula, the business man, is equal parts human being and intense competitor. He's all about family first. His magnetism and down to earth charm is infectious.
Pegula and Murray will be no doubt leveraging their hospitality and their world class HARBORCenter facilities when pitching Steven Stamkos this week. In the days leading up to the draft, Pegula told WGR radio that he is committed to building a winning NHL club in Buffalo. He stated that he will provide whatever support, financial and otherwise, that Tim Murray needs to get the best quality players to play for the Buffalo Sabres. He also added that if he is asked to that he will get involved with the courtship and recruitment of stars, like Stamkos to Buffalo. If that means sitting in on meetings or flying the players to Buffalo on his private jet, then so be it. I'm told that Stamkos prefers to keep the lid on all discussions regarding his pending unrestricted free agency to avoid the media gauntlet in Toronto and elsewhere. I've hear that the Pegulas and Murray might fly to Florida to meet with Stamkos. Pegula lives in Boca Raton while Stamkos lives in Tampa. For now.
Stamkos and his agent are about to be pitched by the best pitch team in the history of pitch men in Terry Pegula and Tim Murray. Terry and Kim Pegula are always warming in the bullpen. They are the best closers in the business right now. Just ask Rex Ryan.
The Pegulas will not be out bid. They can easily afford the $11 to $12 million annual salary that Stamkos will demand.
I see Detroit and Toronto making offers to Stamkos on July 1. However, in the end, the combination of the Pegula world class culture, $84 million on salary, state of the art facilities, an impressive roster and loaded organizational pipeline will be the reasons why Stamkos will choose Buffalo over all other destinations.
Oh, and, Buffalo is three power skate strides from Stamkos' suburban Toronto home.
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