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IS RESTRICTED FREE AGENCY A FARCE?? |
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The thought of Steven Stamkos donning a Maple Leafs jersey was a dream that many Toronto fans hoped would happen, but the closest it came to reality was a rather convincing photo augmentation in which the 21-year-old sniper's face, name and jersey number were superimposed on a two year old photo of Phil Kessel and Brian Burke at his introductory press conference.
The five-year contract that the Markham, ON native signed with Tampa ends the saga that was more a product of Leafs Nation’s prayers and cries from the media than a realistic pursuit, but it will not be the last time you’ll hear the name Stamkos and Toronto in connection with each other.
With the contract being only five years, it allows him to pursue the Stanley Cup with the current core group in Tampa and then become an unrestricted free agent at 26 years old. With the prospect of acquiring a star without having to give up anything other than cash, the bidding war for Stamkos just entering his prime will make the wooing of Brad Richards look like amateur hour.
In Sunday’s Toronto Sun, Steve Simmons got his last kick at the Maple Leafs and NHL general managers for their intransigence regarding the use of offer sheets towards restricted free agents:
Some will say the restricted free-agent business is bad for hockey. But this much is certain: Rarely are players with the talent and age of Stamkos and Drew Doughty available, and it’s not the job of hockey general managers to act as the conscience of the game. It’s their job to make their teams better.
The point that Simmons misses is that most GM’s think giving up four first round picks is too high a price and will not make their team better, even if it is to add a player of the quality of Stamkos or Drew Doughty. That represents four young players that an organization can hold onto for seven years for a relatively inexpensive price, rather than one player at an exorbitant wage.
The offer sheet has been relegated to being used as a tactic or threat by opposing GM’s. The Leafs used it to direct the Bruins towards a trade for Phil Kessel two years ago and Sharks GM Doug Wilson used it last season to attempt to get Niklas Hjarmalsson away from the cap strapped Blackhawks. Over the next few summers, the likes of John Tavares, Matt Duchene, Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin and Jeff Skinner could all become restricted free agents. Unless the new collective bargaining agreement reduces the amount of compensation, these players will stay with their current club or force a trade.
None of them will leave by way of an offer sheet.
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