#1 - Toronto

Surprised more people aren't saying this.

Most people think he stays in Tampa, but there's no chance, IMO. He'd be signed by now if so.
- WingmanWillie

Tampa can still give him an 8-year deal. As long is that is out there, I think they are still in it.

My gut is: Tor 60%; TB 30%; and other 10%

I'm a A&W kind of guy....
- Scabeh

no thanks..

ate that wayy too much in AB..

I'm an bumhole which gives me the proper perspective on this issue. If somebody tells me to quit my job, eat lean meats and veggies all summer, and hit the gym twice a day and in return they'll hand me a million bucks and let me play hockey for the Leafs - which in turn will allow me to drive fast cars and date the hottest women I've ever known (and their mothers) ........consider it done.

I belief in you Mitchy!
- The Law

#1 - Toronto

Surprised more people aren't saying this.

Most people think he stays in Tampa, but there's no chance, IMO. He'd be signed by now if so.
- WingmanWillie

yup..

cant wait til he signs with the leafs.. its going to happen.

I wonder what Robidas island is really like. You think it's filled with hot tubs and tiger balm and Hungarian body builder masseuses?

yup..

cant wait til he signs with the leafs.. its going to happen.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I honestly think his mind is already made up, and has been made up for a little while now. I don't know whether he'll meet with other teams or not, but I won't be surprised if reports/tweets come out in the next couple days confirming that so and so are out on the Stamkos Sweepstakes. Leaving it just Toronto/Tampa ..which will ultimately be Toronto, IMO.

I wonder what Robidas island is really like. You think it's filled with hot tubs and tiger balm and Hungarian body builder masseuses?
- TonkaPhaneuf

I honestly think his mind is already made up, and has been made up for a little while now. I don't know whether he'll meet with other teams or not, but I won't be surprised if reports/tweets come out in the next couple days confirming that so and so are out on the Stamkos Sweepstakes. Leaving it just Toronto/Tampa ..which will ultimately be Toronto, IMO.
- MCharisma91

we can only speculate..

none of us know jack poop.

#1 - Toronto

Surprised more people aren't saying this.

Most people think he stays in Tampa, but there's no chance, IMO. He'd be signed by now if so.
- WingmanWillie

I don’t really follow what tsn/sportsnet says much. Are they minimalizing the leafs as a contender for stamkos?

Tampa can still give him an 8-year deal. As long is that is out there, I think they are still in it.

My gut is: Tor 60%; TB 30%; and other 10%
- Tumbleweed

- AdamFrench

I don’t really follow what tsn/sportsnet says much. Are they minimalizing the leafs as a contender for stamkos?
- Tumbleweed

Depends. The "Fan"alysts like Hayes, O'Neill, Noodles, etc obviously think there's a good chance but all the "insiders" are trying to cover all bases and basically say their gut says he stays in Tampa... Much like they did with Babcock in Detroit

- AdamFrench

I could really go for a harvey’s burger right about now.

Maybe it's because I've never seen that kind of wealth before, and finance isn't my forte, but I look at Stamkos' situation differently. If I had the choice of making 12 mil a year away from home, or 9 mil a year doing the same job in a city I'm comfortable in, I would choose 9 at home. After a certain point, how can money be a factor after a high accumulation is already guaranteed?

I'm not saying this influences his decision, just my two cents from someone who's never been where he is.
- BetterCallSaul

Because it's never enough. Human nature thing to want more than what you already have whether it's money or something else. We may not need it but we still want it and pretty sure Stammer is just as comfortable in Tampa as he would be in TO. He's been living there for the past few years. The whole world is his backyard with the money he's making now. The guy could fly home for a quick visit using his pocket change.

Depends. The "Fan"alysts like Hayes, O'Neill, Noodles, etc obviously think there's a good chance but all the "insiders" are trying to cover all bases and basically say their gut says he stays in Tampa... Much like they did with Babcock in Detroit
- WingmanWillie

Weird. I wonder if lou has the ability to send employees of tsn/sportsnet to robidas island…

Pens didn't qualify Schultz?

Hmm, I thought he picked it up nicely as the season wore on and into the playoffs.

Reunite him with his old Badger partner Gardiner? Get Zaitsev up top with Rielly?

At the very least, it'd be some exciting offense from the blue line. PP would likely improve

Depends. The "Fan"alysts like Hayes, O'Neill, Noodles, etc obviously think there's a good chance but all the "insiders" are trying to cover all bases and basically say their gut says he stays in Tampa... Much like they did with Babcock in Detroit
- WingmanWillie

Watching the draft over the weekend you would think Toronto isn't even a contender for him. It was all Detroit, Tampa, Buffalo, and even the Rangers.

Pens didn't qualify Schultz?

Hmm, I thought he picked it up nicely as the season wore on and into the playoffs.

Reunite him with his old Badger partner Gardiner? Get Zaitsev up top with Rielly?

At the very least, it'd be some exciting offense from the blue line. PP would likely improve
- WingmanWillie

I think it was expected. At 50% retained, he was fine for them. A ~$4M qualifying offer would have blown up their cap.

we can only speculate..

none of us know jack poop.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I just hope the decision is made on opening day of free agency and it doesn't drag on..

I just hope the decision is made on opening day of free agency and it doesn't drag on..
- ClarksonDavid

yup... really hope it doesn't drag... he's had a long time to "think"

Watching the draft over the weekend you would think Toronto isn't even a contender for him. It was all Detroit, Tampa, Buffalo, and even the Rangers.
- PlatosRepucklic

Except that, to me, that makes it even more likely. Because current Leafs brass is about as tight-lipped as you can get. The fact that there's no mention or comment on it from them suggests to me that they are aggressively pursuing him.

I think keeping it quiet benefits them as well. Unbelievable that the "media fishbowl" is better at keeping things hush hush than Murray, who was blatant about a 10-12 mil offer.

I just hope the decision is made on opening day of free agency and it doesn't drag on..
- ClarksonDavid

maybe thats the plan.... put himself on the market tying up interested team's cap dollars.... essentially freezing them during the FA period. this would allow stevie y to go in a scoop a couple more needed pieces that might put them over the top while the other GMs are focusing on landing the big fish.

then stammer resigns in TB and they all have a good laugh.

Watching the draft over the weekend you would think Toronto isn't even a contender for him. It was all Detroit, Tampa, Buffalo, and even the Rangers.
- PlatosRepucklic

yeah, but unlike the GM's of DET/TB/BUF ... Lou / TOR keeps their mouths shut

Except that, to me, that makes it even more likely. Because current Leafs brass is about as tight-lipped as you can get. The fact that there's no mention or comment on it from them suggests to me that they are aggressively pursuing him.

I think keeping it quiet benefits them as well. Unbelievable that the "media fishbowl" is better at keeping things hush hush than Murray, who was blatant about a 10-12 mil offer.
- WingmanWillie

My thoughts as well. And I hope this is the case.

- Arctic_AARDVARK

i think i see MH370