I wonder if Stamkos would be better off without being captain if he comes to Toronto.. Give it to Rielly or Matthews... Let Steven exist like Kessel did.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

If Stamkos does sign, they can call him whatever they want but it won't change his role or responsibilities IMO

I wonder if Stamkos would be better off without being captain if he comes to Toronto.. Give it to Rielly or Matthews... Let Steven exist like Kessel did.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Hot dog vendors of Toronto rejoice!

you get BBC?
- poohcrumbs

Nothing better than getting BBC.

I wonder if Stamkos would be better off without being captain if he comes to Toronto.. Give it to Rielly or Matthews... Let Steven exist like Kessel did.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Stammer would embrace the nonsense.

Hes not a one nutted, anti social, mental midge.

Let stamkos a 10 year vet "exist" and force an 18 yr old or a guy just coming into his own handle all that BS... Its a no brainer.

Worst worst worst case you give the captaincy to nobody.

Stammer would embrace the nonsense.

Hes not a one nutted, anti social, mental midge.
- Bigzby

Stamkos has never played in a market like Toronto... Im sure there will be controversy on some level..
And fwiw Kessel thrived in TO.. somehow...

I dont mean give it to Matthews right now, i mean in a couple years.. Or Rielly.. Stamkos can still be a leader, just focus more on winning.

Stamkos has never played in a market like Toronto... Im sure there will be controversy on some level..
And fwiw Kessel thrived in TO.. somehow...

I dont mean give it to Matthews right now, i mean in a couple years.. Or Rielly.. Stamkos can still be a leader, just focus more on winning.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I think he'd want it (stamkos). But WTF do I know

http://www.theglobeandmai...le-leafs/article30621644/

It's James tyrtle but goof read

I wonder if Stamkos would be better off without being captain if he comes to Toronto.. Give it to Rielly or Matthews... Let Steven exist like Kessel did.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

he hasn't even played for the Leafs yet.

Yeah, if he chooses TO he's doing it for one reason only - to play for his hometown team. Money won't be the ultimate consideration, as long as the offer is fair (starts with at least a 9)...
- lumlums

I agree, plus not playing for a douche bag like Murray.

Stamkos has never played in a market like Toronto... Im sure there will be controversy on some level..
And fwiw Kessel thrived in TO.. somehow...

I dont mean give it to Matthews right now, i mean in a couple years.. Or Rielly.. Stamkos can still be a leader, just focus more on winning.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Shouldn't a veteran leader, who has led his team to a SCF before, be the captain of a young team trying to cultivate a winning mentality?

If you want to give it to Matthews in a few years time, then I guess leave the captaincy empty, but that seems like a while to go without an official captain on such a young team. Just MO

he hasn't even played for the Leafs yet.
- zazzle

all im saying is if Stamkos comes and we spend that much money on him, he should be put in the absolute best position to be able to play at his highest level.. Maybe making him captain isn't the best thing to do. He's captain in TB and hes probably leaving now.. It's a lot of pressure to wear the C in Toronto..

Yeah, if he chooses TO he's doing it for one reason only - to play for his hometown team. Money won't be the ultimate consideration, as long as the offer is fair (starts with at least a 9)...
- lumlums

IMO, if the Leafs want Stamkos they will need to present a credible offer on money, term, team prospects, coach, etc. He won't come here just to play for his home town team. It will help but won't be the deciding factor. What's exciting is the Leafs can be credible on all those points.

all im saying is if Stamkos comes and we spend that much money on him, he should be put in the absolute best position to be able to play at his highest level.. Maybe making him captain isn't the best thing to do. He's captain in TB and hes probably leaving now.. It's a lot of pressure to wear the C in Toronto..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

At the same time, isn't that why you bring in an pay that high of a salary for a player of his caliber? to handle the pressure? It kind of goes both ways.

IMO, if the Leafs want Stamkos they will need to present a credible offer on money, term, team prospects, coach, etc. He won't come here just to play for his home town team. It will help but won't be the deciding factor. What's exciting is the Leafs can be credible on all those points.
- Canada Cup

the coach and prospects are what they are...

he just wants money... nothing else probably matters..

morning,

stamkos is a true leader, the C would be in order!!

At the same time, isn't that why you bring in an pay that high of a salary for a player of his caliber? to handle the pressure? It kind of goes both ways.
- RickJames77

yeah..

but everyones different.. some guys play better without the added responsibility.. IF we sign Stamkos its because of his offensive abilities.. Im sure hes a great leader and all, but if he plays better without the C then no point in giving it to him.. I think Rielly will be more than capable

Ugh.

all im saying is if Stamkos comes and we spend that much money on him, he should be put in the absolute best position to be able to play at his highest level.. Maybe making him captain isn't the best thing to do. He's captain in TB and hes probably leaving now.. It's a lot of pressure to wear the C in Toronto..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

You are right, being the captain of the Leafs comes with pressure, but if he is signed to seven years (still a big if) who on this team would be more qualified to be captain. Also, among other veterans who are expected to suit up for this team, which ones are likely here for the long run? (can't think of one myself)

At the same time, isn't that why you bring in an pay that high of a salary for a player of his caliber? to handle the pressure? It kind of goes both ways.
- RickJames77

My thoughts exactly.

morning,

stamkos is a true leader, the C would be in order!!
- Lucas.Neilson

Why hasnt TB re-signed their great noble leader?

you'd think thats something they'd want to keep around no?

yeah..

but everyones different.. some guys play better without the added responsibility.. IF we sign Stamkos its because of his offensive abilities.. Im sure hes a great leader and all, but if he plays better without the C then no point in giving it to him.. I think Rielly will be more than capable
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I agree, but I think I would hold off for a little bit on doing that. He's still developing and throwing something like that a player can set them back/preoccupy them in a similar way to your concerns about giving Stamkos the C. I don't really know anything about the kid's character or mental toughness though, so I'll leave that to you guys.

Why hasnt TB re-signed their great noble leader?

you'd think thats something they'd want to keep around no?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

You can't sign a player if he doesn't want to be there or if the deal isn't what he's looking for. I have a feeling their offer is in the high 8s due to the fact that they have to sign many high quality young RFAs in the near future (pure conjecture).

Why hasnt TB re-signed their great noble leader?

you'd think thats something they'd want to keep around no?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Seems like maybe he didn't want them...thats how it appears to me.

You are right, being the captain of the Leafs comes with pressure, but if he is signed to seven years (still a big if) who on this team would be more qualified to be captain. Also, among other veterans who are expected to suit up for this team, which ones are likely here for the long run? (can't think of one myself)
- winsix

Just Rielly.. if you consider him a vet...

Maybe Kadri... but he'll probably get moved out when the Leafs are contending for that one final piece...

JVR would be a lousy captain.. Komagod isn't a permanent fixture..

Seems like maybe he didn't want them...thats how it appears to me.
- systemtool

He doesnt want to play for a team that made it to the finals and CF ?

His best chance to win a cup is in TB..

You might be right, but that would suggest that money is more important to him than winning.