Why does it matter as of today? wait till October
- PinkSock

because according to some on here, the season starts today, and nobody is (frank)ing patient, and doesn't want to wait till Oct.

I wouldn't be so hard on Loops.. The guy has more heart than anyone and also is a machine (when healthy). The contract is good too. But yeah those three could be fun to watch. Nylander as our #1 center is the ultimate fantasy tho.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Nylander at C would be (frank)ing awesome.

Oh of course, his boner to be a Leaf trumps his loyalty, relationships, life he formed in TB....ya, ou nailed it!

TB is gonna throw Fort Knox at him to keep him. That, and, when was the last elite superstar to goto FA?

I mean seriously Leaf fans, you guys are delusional if you think Stamkos will be a leaf for 2016-17......
- chompsey

Toronto can throw just as much money at Stammer as TB can. Is this situation was based around Shea Weber, being a BC boy, you can bet that Canucks fans would be doing the exact same thing!

Now think of #91's endorsement deals in and around Toronto, not to mention nationwide now that he would be playing on the league's most valuable franchise with the largest fan base who just so happens to receive the most media coverage of any team, EASILY.

The truth is is the nobody but Stamkos knows what going to happen, what he wants or what he finds most important. The fact you think you have ANY IDEA of what Stakmos' is thinking is just as delusional as Leafs fans HOPING and DREAMING of seeing Stammer in the blue and white. Now what was that you were saying about "pot meet kettle?"

They have a couple nice young players, but nothing thats an upgrade or a must have
- PinkSock

wow, just read that the blues management think gunner is a top four dman and polak is a 6-8 dman

Toronto can throw just as much money at Stammer as TB can. Is this situation was based around Shea Weber, being a BC boy, you can bet that Canucks fans would be doing the exact same thing!

Now think of #91's endorsement deals in and around Toronto, not to mention nationwide now that he would be playing on the league's most valuable franchise with the largest fan base who just so happens to receive the most media coverage of any team, EASILY.

The truth is is the nobody but Stamkos knows what going to happen, what he wants or what he finds most important. The fact you think you have ANY IDEA of what Stakmos' is thinking is just as delusional as Leafs fans HOPING and DREAMING of seeing Stammer in the blue and white. Now what was that you were saying about "pot meet kettle?"
- As_I_See_It

i'd think the leafs are the only team besides tampa where he'll play

the leafs will give him max terms, but tax free is what tampa has to offer

wow, just read that the blues management think gunner is a top four dman and polak is a 6-8 dman
- Flyfreaky

Well they said they view Gunnarason as a top 4 and Polak as a 5-6. They can view him as whatever they want. Dosnt make him one

wow, just read that the blues management think gunner is a top four dman and polak is a 6-8 dman
- Flyfreaky

Seems a bit far fetched, both seem to be 5-6 guys

Well they said they view Gunnarason as a top 4 and Polak as a 5-6. They can view him as whatever they want. Dosnt make him one
- JVR_42_PK81

i agree, i'm still in shock from reading it

Seems a bit far fetched, both seem to be 5-6 guys
- PinkSock

yes, i agree, seems the leafs like polak's toughness and the blues like gunner's softness

i agree, i'm still in shock from reading it
- Flyfreaky

He's a bottom pairing d man who just happened to play with phaneuf on the top pairing.

Really....????? I think the Leafs might have to develop their own superstar instead of trying to sign one...
- Ur Not Me

have you seen the way the leafs draft?

sounds easy

maybe that kadri kid can become something eh.

Well they said they view Gunnarason as a top 4 and Polak as a 5-6. They can view him as whatever they want. Dosnt make him one
- JVR_42_PK81

I guess its more in context of Gunnar compliments there 2nd pairing better, depending who your pairing these guys with I guess maybe you could put em in 4th, dont much about Polak but he dosnt seem like a top 4 guy , more of a clear the net, block shots type of guy

i'd think the leafs are the only team besides tampa where he'll play

the leafs will give him max terms, but tax free is what tampa has to offer
- Flyfreaky

Knew this would come up. I'd be willing to bet that his endorsement deals could exceed, or be damn close to what he'd save in taxes.

Knew this would come up. I'd be willing to bet that his endorsement deals could exceed, or be damn close to what he'd save in taxes.
- As_I_See_It

i think he's gonna have to weigh all those options and then decide what works best for him

would love to see him in a leafs jersey

Toronto can throw just as much money at Stammer as TB can. Is this situation was based around Shea Weber, being a BC boy, you can bet that Canucks fans would be doing the exact same thing!

Now think of #91's endorsement deals in and around Toronto, not to mention nationwide now that he would be playing on the league's most valuable franchise with the largest fan base who just so happens to receive the most media coverage of any team, EASILY.

The truth is is the nobody but Stamkos knows what going to happen, what he wants or what he finds most important. The fact you think you have ANY IDEA of what Stakmos' is thinking is just as delusional as Leafs fans HOPING and DREAMING of seeing Stammer in the blue and white. Now what was that you were saying about "pot meet kettle?"
- As_I_See_It

the only time we'll see stamkos with a leaf on his jersey is when he plays for team canada.

i'd think the leafs are the only team besides tampa where he'll play

the leafs will give him max terms, but tax free is what tampa has to offer
- Flyfreaky

He will pick the team that is also closer to winning the cup

He will pick the team that is also closer to winning the cup
- MTL1

well, then it will come down to 25 teams not located in toronto

have you seen the way the leafs draft?

sounds easy

maybe that kadri kid can become something eh.
- dmnted

Maybe, 133 points in 177 NHL games for someone who is only 23 is alright

He will pick the team that is also closer to winning the cup
- MTL1

He will go to the team he wants to play on.

Knew this would come up. I'd be willing to bet that his endorsement deals could exceed, or be damn close to what he'd save in taxes.
- As_I_See_It

The $$$ he'd make in TO by far surpasses anything he'd get in Tampa. And you really can't put a value on being a legend (if he brings a cup home).

Well they said they view Gunnarason as a top 4 and Polak as a 5-6. They can view him as whatever they want. Dosnt make him one
- JVR_42_PK81

i still don't like that trade. plus a pick, plus retained salary

Maybe, 133 points in 177 NHL games for someone who is only 23 is alright
- PinkSock

Not good enough for Leaf fans. 100+ points a year at 23 or a bust.

i'd think the leafs are the only team besides tampa where he'll play

the leafs will give him max terms, but tax free is what tampa has to offer
- Flyfreaky

On a side note...

The introduction of the salary cap was an effort to control salaries, level the playing field for smaller markets and create parity, thus competition around the league etc. If the league was TRULY interested in the above, there should be a tax formula that should be implemented to level the playing field for all teams, large or small market, Canadian or American based teams. Is it really "fair" that some teams can use taxes rates as a selling point entice players? Absolutely not. This is the reason why so many more super stars play for US based teams.

At the end of the day, the cap limits should be adjusted according to tax rates i.e. teams with a 30% higher tax rate should in theory have a 30% higher salary cap. This would be a tough sell to the owners, but would be an easy sell to the NHLPA because at the end of the day, all they're concerned about is what they are taking home.

With Tampa in mind. It's obvious that Stevie Y is doing an incredible job for the Lightening, but it's also obvious that Florida's tax rate has certainly made his job a hell of a lot easier as well.

He will pick the team that is also closer to winning the cup
- MTL1

Thing is, whatever team he goes to is automatically much closer to the cup..

Plus, it would be hard for a team like Chicago or LA to take on a max contract..

Maybe, 133 points in 177 NHL games for someone who is only 23 is alright
- PinkSock

This guy you speak of sounds decent. Kadri's only 20 points behind him.