I don't think this is relevant for a Free Agent.
- harolddruken

He is under contract until July 1st. So it is relevant. They cant trade his rights unless he waives his NMC.

of course, they can always trade his rights to my Rangers, "Sure Stevie, we'll give you 5 first round picks for his rights".

Not because of leaf bias, but I don't see why he would choose detroit
- Kurtsy

Even in the Red Wings trade away Datsyuk's contact, I don't see how the Wings would fit Stamkos under the cap.

Mrazek, DeKeyser and Pulkkinen to sign, and they have quite a few holes they need to fill with some UFAs.

I feel like the Wings signing Stamkos is just rehashing the old Richards, Weiss, Green signings. The Wings need to build from within. They have way more holes than a single player will solve

Any GM who greenlights a Stamkos deal for $10+ million per year at max term should be fired instantly.

Stamkos is a great player, but not worth nearly that kind of money. It says something about Tampa's considerable depth at forward if they can let him walk.

I find it hard to believe that any GM is going to trade anything for the rights to Stamkos without including the condition of him signing there. So, I find the possibility of Tampa signing him after trading his rights to be a pretty ridiculous scenario.

I find it hard to believe that any GM is going to trade anything for the rights to Stamkos without including the condition of him signing there. So, I find the possibility of Tampa signing him after trading his rights to be a pretty ridiculous scenario.
- JSC

wait this is actually being discussed?

Any GM who greenlights a Stamkos deal for $10+ million per year at max term should be fired instantly.

Stamkos is a great player, but not worth nearly that kind of money. It says something about Tampa's considerable depth at forward if they can let him walk.
- GalacticStone

Or their considerable stupidity paying Callahan 6M with a NMC resulting in not being able to afford to keep your best forward. Tampa is just lucky that Drouin turned out to be a player that deserved to be in the NHL all along.

Or their considerable stupidity paying Callahan 6M with a NMC resulting in not being able to afford to keep your best forward. Tampa is just lucky that Drouin turned out to be a player that deserved to be in the NHL all along.
- stackthepads

Don't worry, Drouin is prob going back to Cooper's doghouse when Stamkos resigns and the reg season starts again.

He will sign with the Panthers, E5

the rights could move you have never been more right mr eklund!!

Or their considerable stupidity paying Callahan 6M with a NMC resulting in not being able to afford to keep your best forward. Tampa is just lucky that Drouin turned out to be a player that deserved to be in the NHL all along.
- stackthepads

Carle 5.5

Any GM who greenlights a Stamkos deal for $10+ million per year at max term should be fired instantly.

Stamkos is a great player, but not worth nearly that kind of money. It says something about Tampa's considerable depth at forward if they can let him walk.
- GalacticStone

So good.

Or their considerable stupidity paying Callahan 6M with a NMC resulting in not being able to afford to keep your best forward. Tampa is just lucky that Drouin turned out to be a player that deserved to be in the NHL all along.
- stackthepads

I agree. Paying stamkos shouldn’t be the problem.

paying guys like carle, Callahan and filpula too much - that’s the problem for TB IMO.

I agree. Paying stamkos shouldn’t be the problem.

paying guys like carle, Callahan and filpula too much that’s the problem for TB IMO.
- Tumbleweed

throw in garrison too

I agree. Paying stamkos shouldn’t be the problem.

paying guys like carle, Callahan and filpula too much - that’s the problem for TB IMO.
- Tumbleweed

I guess 2.5 million more than Callahan is all the lighting are willing to give to him

Don't worry, Drouin is prob going back to Cooper's doghouse when Stamkos resigns and the reg season starts again.
- DeflatedPucks

most likley

I guess 2.5 million more than Callahan is all the lighting are willing to give to him
- Santo_44

callahan got 6 year stamkos would get 8 years

Trading his rights and Tampa may resign him? I guess one CAN actually make this stuff up.
- Capsnut

Is that even allowed?

Sounds like something that could be open to collusion.

I can't think of a good reason why Stamkos would go to Detroit. They won't be able to offer him any more money and Tampa is closer to a cup. I get all the reports etc, but it doesn't make sense to me. Unless he's really just done with Tampa and all the things he's been saying are lip service to the media, which hey, these guys have to do. At least I can rationalize Toronto with the hometown team etc, (though they couldn't be further from a cup). At the end of the day though, it is fun. I really hope he goes UFA, if for no other reason that entertainment.
- foghornleghorn

And besides all that... who in the hell would want to live in Detroit or anywhere near there over Tampa and the surrounding areas?

Any GM who greenlights a Stamkos deal for $10+ million per year at max term should be fired instantly.

Stamkos is a great player, but not worth nearly that kind of money. It says something about Tampa's considerable depth at forward if they can let him walk.
- GalacticStone

This feels like a tampa fan getting in some shots at Stamkos because they know he's leaving.

Assuming they had the cap space there are probably about 28 GMs who would sign Stamkos to that deal. The reactions to Stamkos having a down year are the exact same that both Kane and Ovechkin had when they only scored sixty some odd points.

The final Cap # will influence his decision. He may want to wait until next year to try to cash in bigger if the cap goes down or remains flat. Doubt it though. He will likely want the sure thing.
- Iggysbff

especially with the injury. I know it is not supposed to be a recurring thing, but I think he will want as much as he can get for as long as he can get, now.

the rights could move you have never been more right mr eklund!!
- twiztedmike

more to come later EK

I remember when Gretzky was a FA in '96 (granted he was 35 but coming off an 81pts in 62 games season). Nobody batted an eye

more to come later EK
- todd1a

I'm staying tuned & waiting for the dominoes to fall