bingo.
no doubt in my mind Stamkos will join the Leafs - makes sense from a financial, personal and hockey point of view.
- MaximusAurelius

Time for you to drop Gustavsson from your location

No doubt it's cheaper. We all don't live in a Cabin !!
- MountAlbert

Cost of living is less in Florida than TO. Restaurants, food, gasoline, real estate, property taxes, sales taxes, wine, beer, services, cars, ........

where did 8.5 come from when nothing has leaked from yzerman or the stamkos camp? so I find that offer to be untrue.
- todd1a

Sportsnet / Rogers / HNIC's Elliot Friedman reported it January 22nd.

Greatest unrestricted free agent of all time? Have you never heard of Wayne Gretzky?
- Antilles

Gretzky was 36 when he signed that contract. Can you name a player who became UFA in their prime who's a bigger star than Stammer?

I think at this point you can objectively say that Stamkos is probably more likely than not to end up in a city other than Tampa Bay at this stage of the game. As was alluded to in this blog, the max term and annual money that a few select teams are more than willing to throw at him makes this situation for Tampa almost impossible. I understand the want and need from Tampa's perspective for some type of 'hometown discount', but this is a business. And despite the pleasant thought of players taking less money to stay in a certain place and play out their careers, the prospect for more cash wins out far more than loyalty does. It's a sobering realization. But most human beings prefer more money than staying around those they've made life connections with that aren't family. Just the way of the world. The one legitimate argument I'd accept ( that doesn't involve money) from Stamkos would be a return to his hometown team in Toronto. If he goes anywhere else other than Tampa or Toronto, it'll be for no other reason than the almighty dollar. Not because he gives 2 s$&@s about whatever city it ends up being.

But $8.5M was never going to get it done.

Yzerman has mismanaged this resigning.

If he had offered over $9M last June, I doubt the team would be in this position. I hope Yzerman has learned that he needs to offer Hedman the same money as Subban.
- Leafsandbolts

Stamkos has be declining since his broken leg and now the blood clot thing at most I'd offer him 9 per year for 8 years if he declines let him walk. Anyone that pays him 10.5 expecting him to be Kane or toews will regret it.

No doubt it's cheaper. We all don't live in a Cabin !!
- MountAlbert

I don't get this comment? Are you implying Toronto has more wealth and affluence than Tampa?

By trading his rights. I doubt TB lets him go for free
- KINGS67

IIRC-- in order for a team to sign a player for 8 yrs, said player had to play for that team the prior season. So in other words, the only team that can sign him to an 8 yr deal is Tampa. Even if his rights are traded, it would still be a 7 yr contract at max.

Gretzky was 36 when he signed that contract. Can you name a player who became UFA in their prime who's a bigger star than Stammer?
- mjones242

No I can't off the top of my head. Can't think of one either that wants 7rs at the money he is being offered and the term he is being offerd with his health problems.

Stamkos has be declining since his broken leg and now the blood clot thing at most I'd offer him 9 per year for 8 years if he declines let him walk. Anyone that pays him 10.5 expecting him to be Kane or toews will regret it.
- todd1a

This.

As much as I'll be jealous of whichever team signs him, and I want him on the Habs, part of me would be wary of the dollars required with the question marks attached to him. Kind of a weird situation.

Stamkos has be declining since his broken leg and now the blood clot thing at most I'd offer him 9 per year for 8 years if he declines let him walk. Anyone that pays him 10.5 expecting him to be Kane or toews will regret it.
- todd1a

Stamkos' linemates, ice time, team powerplay and faceoff starts also explain a lot of his declining points.

Its impossible for stamkos to accept 8.5 and leave 14-17.5 million on the table over the first 7 (or 24.5 if you believe buffalo is gonna offer 12)

If TB could move Carles deal would they be able to give steve 10?

some thoughts:

*I always find the TB fans and writers on here, really sensible, so its nice to see that and its usually nice to talk stick over here.... but that arsehole team of yours keeps beating us.

*Stevie Y, clearly learned from Holland about maximizing value and has it in spades so I would never worry about his decision making as a GM... proven effective multiple times.... with the exception of the odd Jonathan Ericsson, Matt Carle flubs of course.

*I would trust his judgement on the Stammer signing once again, because I feel that there is a certain cost you pay for one dimensional players, but it is a league of two way top players how, and I have never been impressed with some of Stammer's aspect, despite his lethal goal scoring. Alot of money tied up in a team, that has depth as a major concept.

*With so many RFAs, I think this is a battle Yzerman is going too and willing to pick. I think in the long run it is wise, given Stammer's injury concerns.

*I am not overly confident he lands in DET, our days of landing the big fish are long gone.... we cant even keep big fish anymore. RIP Dastyuk era.

No mention of NY Rangers? Decision not to pursue signing Yandle and I think there's no way they don't make an offer. A lot of teams have the cap space but that doesn't mean they want to spend the money. If Stamkos isn't signed by Satursay you can bet NY will be in negotiations with him. Especially if Nash is moved

Cost of living is less in Florida than TO. Restaurants, food, gasoline, real estate, property taxes, sales taxes, wine, beer, services, cars, ........
- Leafsandbolts

Which are all things that will be given to Stamkos at a moments notice in Toronto. If the Leafs signed him and became a playoff contender again, he would immediately be treated like royalty.

Which are all things that will be given to Stamkos at a moments notice in Toronto. If the Leafs signed him and became a playoff contender again, he would immediately be treated like royalty.
- leafer89

Just referring to posters that think the cost of living is lower in Toronto. Stamkos would be worshipped in Toronto until things take a downturn; then the knives would come out.

This.

As much as I'll be jealous of whichever team signs him, and I want him on the Habs, part of me would be wary of the dollars required with the question marks attached to him. Kind of a weird situation.
- ehabs9

Quite frankly if the number is 12 Million as mentioned in the blog I would gladly let Buffalo take him.

I am a huge believer in peak performance theory. You can usually track the build up to top performance and project the downward trend line from from year to year. Stamkos obviously peaked very early in his career. Decline has set in. Players seldom, if ever, are able to reverse the progressive nature of the decline. The rate on goals scored per game year over year gives you a solid basis for projection.

year gms/goals goals/game

08/09 79/23 .291 (rookie)
09/10 82/51 .622
10/11 82/45 .548
11/12 82/60 .731
12/13 48/29 .604
13/14 37/25 .675
14/15 82/43 .524
15/16 77/36 .467

Bolts simply just need to get the best draft pick they can for his rights. Then focus on the rest of the kids they gotta sign. And live on with some cap freedom. Knowing they dont have to trade Bishop but its also an option. Build around the youngsters they got. Maintain a deep roster.

Bolts simply just need to get the best draft pick they can for his rights. Then focus on the rest of the kids they gotta sign. And live on with some cap freedom. Knowing they dont have to trade Bishop but its also an option. Build around the youngsters they got. Maintain a deep roster.
- poisondhearts37

I think that is entirely correct. This is not the Steven Stamkos of 5 years ago that people want to believe they are getting. In some ways it reminds of the Rick Nash lottery where everyone was trying to acquire a player that was very close to peaking out.

I think that is entirely correct. This is not the Steven Stamkos of 5 years ago that people want to believe they are getting. In some ways it reminds of the Rick Nash lottery where everyone was trying to acquire a player that was very close to peaking out.
- spatso

Thing is. Stammer is a player you add to a team to compliment it. You dont build around him. Others think different. Thats fine.

Just referring to posters that think the cost of living is lower in Toronto. Stamkos would be worshipped in Toronto until things take a downturn; then the knives would come out.
- Leafsandbolts

Oh absolutely. One other thing to note though is that he'd be paid in USD

Just a prediction Whoever signs Stamkos to an over inflated contract will regret it and it won't take long to figure that out Just have a bad feeling that someone is going to get screwed big time on this one. Just hope and pray that it is not YOUR team.

But $8.5M was never going to get it done.

Yzerman has mismanaged this resigning.

If he had offered over $9M last June, I doubt the team would be in this position. I hope Yzerman has learned that he needs to offer Hedman the same money as Subban.
- Leafsandbolts

But Hedman is bettet than Subban... Like... A lot better

Steve Yzerman has to be looking at that Callahan contract these days and just shaking his head