So just a question but why does everyone seem certain he demands the max? which at 20% in 2 years could be 15 or 16...I don't think he does.. anyone who really wants to win like him will take a little less to be surrounded by better players like Toews and Kane did.. regardless of where he signs..
- D.Lemieux

Ya I agree I don't know why everyone thinks he gets the max ? So stamkos should make more then Crosby ? Crosby makes 8.7 cap hit salary is 12 million per year! I can't see stamkos getting more then 12.5 from a contender! Which yes would be us or Toronto. Stamkos is going to get paid but he does want wingers on his teams and a good goalie.

So just a question but why does everyone seem certain he demands the max? which at 20% in 2 years could be 15 or 16...I don't think he does.. anyone who really wants to win like him will take a little less to be surrounded by better players like Toews and Kane did.. regardless of where he signs..
- D.Lemieux

I think that's just the key to the whole situation:
1. What will the max be
2. Will a team be willing (or able) to spend it on him
3. Will he have won already (not out of the realm of possibility) or will he still be hunting that first cup

Ya I agree I don't know why everyone thinks he gets the max ? So stamkos should make more then Crosby ? Crosby makes 8.7 cap hit salary is 12 million per year! I can't see stamkos getting more then 12.5 from a contender! Which yes would be us or Toronto. Stamkos is going to get paid but he does want wingers on his teams and a good goalie.
- todd1a

I have a feeling, whether he stays here or heads back to Toronto (to pay for Wynne's most recent scandals) he won't go hog-wild with salary- and will probably instruct his agent thusly.

He understands what happens when a team is week at other positions- he experienced that multiple times in Tampa already. He's witnessed the face of the franchise get bought out because of contract problems and cap problems moving forward.

He's a smart kid and he wants to win.

Well this has been pretty Laff- able. I see you're still feeding the trolls, so what is this the new norm taking Ek's strategy writing some good stuff but leaving just enough controversy to still the trolls up mixing with a big fan base to pump up the hits?
I hope Stralman doesn't do a Lindback on us because this site will be brutal with the Rags fans. Looks like the Laff fans will be here for awhile. Stirring up a Stamkos to Toronto for them works better than Cialis seeing they've been impotent for years.
This was a good site but it's quickly becoming the New Garth.
- tpd11

It's summer. A Tampa player said something of note. I blogged about it. So did EVERY other blog, mainstream media source, etc. It's news. If I didn't write about it, I wouldn't be doing my job.

The Toronto fans in here aren't trolling. This isn't "feeding the trolls" at all. This is having a hockey discussion about a player who brought this story on himself.

It's summer. A Tampa player said something of note. I blogged about it. So did EVERY other blog, mainstream media source, etc. It's news. If I didn't write about it, I wouldn't be doing my job.

The Toronto fans in here aren't trolling. This isn't "feeding the trolls" at all. This is having a hockey discussion about a player who brought this story on himself.
- Michael_Stuart

That.

Right there.

Dion is absolutley movable..A lot of haters out there but anyone who thinks he isnt a good NHL Dmen either doesn't watch him of doesnt know what they are watching.
- D.Lemieux

We'll take him.

Yes, Stamkos does want to be the guy in the center of the hockey universe.

It's summer. A Tampa player said something of note. I blogged about it. So did EVERY other blog, mainstream media source, etc. It's news. If I didn't write about it, I wouldn't be doing my job.

The Toronto fans in here aren't trolling. This isn't "feeding the trolls" at all. This is having a hockey discussion about a player who brought this story on himself.
- Michael_Stuart

yeah, way more boredom than trolling these days

It's summer. A Tampa player said something of note. I blogged about it. So did EVERY other blog, mainstream media source, etc. It's news. If I didn't write about it, I wouldn't be doing my job.

The Toronto fans in here aren't trolling. This isn't "feeding the trolls" at all. This is having a hockey discussion about a player who brought this story on himself.
- Michael_Stuart

Some of them aren't, but some are.

It's true that this news, but you knew that this would be the response.

Some of them aren't, but some are.

It's true that this news, but you knew that this would be the response.
- Artyukhin76

And he's generating a lot more discussion in a Tampa thread than normal by doing so. He's expanding his own reader base, his publisher's money off of ad revenues for increased page views, and creating an atmosphere of continued discussion/trolling that will contribute to the first two which is a good thing for Mike and Ek.

Some of them aren't, but some are.

It's true that this news, but you knew that this would be the response.
- Artyukhin76

I honestly don't see much wrong with the response. There's been a couple instances of 'trolling,' but most of the time it's just been a hockey discussion.

This isn't just me writing a speculative blog about Stamkos and Toronto (I wouldn't do that). This is me commenting on something the player said and something the player did. That's what I was hired to do here.

I honestly don't see much wrong with the response. There's been a couple instances of 'trolling,' but most of the time it's just been a hockey discussion.

This isn't just me writing a speculative blog about Stamkos and Toronto (I wouldn't do that). This is me commenting on something the player said and something the player did. That's what I was hired to do here.
- Michael_Stuart

Yes and no. You have invited people to discuss the issues, but you know that this stuff will draw in bottom feeders as well.

I honestly don't see much wrong with the response. There's been a couple instances of 'trolling,' but most of the time it's just been a hockey discussion.

This isn't just me writing a speculative blog about Stamkos and Toronto (I wouldn't do that). This is me commenting on something the player said and something the player did. That's what I was hired to do here.
- Michael_Stuart

I think you earned your paycheck the moment you used "center of the hockey universe'.

Yes and no. You have invited people to discuss the issues, but you know that this stuff will draw in bottom feeders as well.
- Artyukhin76

So I'm not supposed to cover it?

I think you earned your paycheck the moment you used "center of the hockey universe'.
- LeafsOneBillion

- Michael_Stuart

I also don't get criticism for this article. The Tampa Bay twitter addressed the rumours too. Everyone in Toronto is talking about Stamkos coming home.

Could you see a Jordan Staal type trade occuring. I.e. Bolts offer him an extension after next season and he declines and is then traded?

I also don't get criticism for this article. The Tampa Bay twitter addressed the rumours too. Everyone in Toronto is talking about Stamkos coming home.

Could you see a Jordan Staal type trade occuring. I.e. Bolts offer him an extension after next season and he declines and is then traded?
- LeafsOneBillion

Yzerman won't move him unless Stamkos asks to be moved.

Yzerman won't move him unless Stamkos asks to be moved.
- Artyukhin76

It's a good question.. you think if he has not resigned by the year after next Yzerman risks losing him for nothing? Depends on the bolts playoff position at the time I guess..

It's a good question.. you think if he has not resigned by the year after next Yzerman risks losing him for nothing? Depends on the bolts playoff position at the time I guess..
- D.Lemieux

The only other time I see him moved is after the playoffs are over and before FA.

Yzerman won't move him unless Stamkos asks to be moved.
- Artyukhin76

So Yzerman would let him play out the two years and go to free agency?

I also don't get criticism for this article. The Tampa Bay twitter addressed the rumours too. Everyone in Toronto is talking about Stamkos coming home.

Could you see a Jordan Staal type trade occuring. I.e. Bolts offer him an extension after next season and he declines and is then traded?
- LeafsOneBillion

Yeah, this is big news. Every media outlet is covering it.

I think they'd give it until at least the trade deadline, but I could be totally wrong.

So Yzerman would let him play out the two years and go to free agency?
- LeafsOneBillion

Yeah, I disagree with Arty. If he isn't going to sign, you can't let him walk for nothing.

Yeah, I disagree with Arty. If he isn't going to sign, you can't let him walk for nothing.
- Michael_Stuart

And imagine the return? Like.. Weber+

So Yzerman would let him play out the two years and go to free agency?
- LeafsOneBillion

We've lost Vinny (buyout) AND Marty (trade), I doubt this fan base could handle YET another move like that by Yzerman. If no deal was done by the end of season/playoffs in 2016, that's when he'll be moved.

I can't see Stevie Y letting Stamkos go to free agency. If Stamkos turns down extension in a year I see two options

After next season I can see Stamkos getting moved at the deadline as the ultimate rental - but even half a year and only 1 playoff round guarantee of Stamkos would cost a lot. Stamkos plays the rental and comes home in offseason.

Or

Stamkos comes to Toronto a year earlier in a trade for something like Kadri/prospect/1st.

I much rather get Stamkos for free but I think Stevie Y would make sure he got something in return for his departing star, from us or some other franchise.