Obviously.

But like i said, can't miss what you never had. Good luck to him and I hope he can stay healthy. Great player, would have loved to see him in TO, but not worth jeopardizing the plan for one player.

It is interesting though to see yet another Canadian player run away from playing in Canada. Say what you want about PK, but he certainly loved the brights lights of being in Montreal. More Canadian players should feel the same way about playing in their home country instead of choosing obscurity in a non hockey market. But that is probably the only thing that actually bothers me about this. But oh well. It is what it is.

Anyway, good day if you are a Bolts Fan. I'm happy for you, and that is an honest statement.
- rebel

Why would they want to play in their home country? They love to play for Canada in the olympics and other international competitions. What is the benefit of Stamkos playing in Toronto compared to Tampa? He is a human, the media in major sports markets are ruthless so it will take a toll on people. It's cold as hell up there during the hockey season while he can golf in Tampa. There are limited benefits if any to go to Toronto for Stamkos I think

Umm exactly! Thanks for proving what a p#ussy he actually is.

Be a legend or be a coward?

Stamkos: "I'll take coward for $200 Alex"!
- rebel

Don't be an ass..

Who woulda have thought. Today:

FLORIDA WINS

CANADA LOSES

Who woulda have thought. Today:

FLORIDA WINS

CANADA LOSES
- BallardHitsHard22

Lightning win not Florida!

Why would they want to play in their home country? They love to play for Canada in the olympics and other international competitions. What is the benefit of Stamkos playing in Toronto compared to Tampa? He is a human, the media in major sports markets are ruthless so it will take a toll on people. It's cold as hell up there during the hockey season while he can golf in Tampa. There are limited benefits if any to go to Toronto for Stamkos I think
- Kucherovski

Playing where you grew up would have to have its perks. Im sure has tons of family and friends still in the area he wouldn't have to be away from all year. I'm sure it was something he considered. If our team was more competitive now, maybe he would have gone for it. Hes clearly driven to win.

Not nice TPD11.
- Leafsandbolts

He was being the ass

Playing where you grew up would have to have its perks. Im sure has tons of family and friends still in the area he wouldn't have to be away from all year. I'm sure it was something he considered. If our team was more competitive now, maybe he would have gone for it. Hes clearly driven to win.
- joel878

Maybe the Leafs didn't make an offer he couldn't refuse..

I love how all the Toronto fans are saying he didn't go there because he couldn't handle the pressure. Maybe he chose Tampa because 2 years ago we played for a cup, last year we went to game 7 of the conference finals, and we did that with an incredibly young core vs Toronto, who sucks. I mean, sucks. As far as the Bishop thing, yeah, it's not like we have the number one goalie prospect in the world or anything.
- omatty44

It's a real reach to say "all the Toronto fans" when I 'm quite sure it is a huge majority are not too hurt with this decision. I was on the fence on signing him and it all depended on cap hit. Regardless the second best scenario besides us getting him was staying in Tampa. I truly respect his decision fully and think its pretty cool to be loyal. The underlying reason why he would have thought about coming to TO was that's what he dreamed about as a kid playing road hockey. Toronto is a insane hockey mad market which has its negatives as well as some huge positives. Really we have sucked for decades and are still relevant in every aspect. I hope one day one of the prodigal sons will return , maybe its Tavares, Mcdavid or maybe my son or grandson who wears the leafs onesy as his first outfit.

stamkos is a dumbass. Just like Nash go live in anonymity. Both wont amount to much.

Stamkos left money on the table based on what MLSE and the extra media contract offered to NOT be the captain of the Leafs. To win in his hometown.

Oh well. I would prefer we spend the money on a guy like Tavares anyway.

I bet good money he doesn't win poop in Tampa.

Stammer has the right to go where he wanted.

Seemed like a d-bag move to string leafs fans along.

Great deal for Tampa, shows Stamkos wants to win a cup. Steve Y continues to prove he's a great leader and GM.

stamkos is a dumbass. Just like Nash go live in anonymity. Both wont amount to much.

Stamkos left money on the table based on what MLSE and the extra media contract offered to NOT be the captain of the Leafs. To win in his hometown.

Oh well. I would prefer we spend the money on a guy like Tavares anyway.

I bet good money he doesn't win poop in Tampa.
- 13LEAFS01

Sour grapes?

Stammer has the right to go where he wanted.

Seemed like a d-bag move to string leafs fans along.
- 50 Mission Cap

Be mad at the Toronto papers Stammer never actually hit the market and said multiple times he wanted to come back how did he string anyone along?

Obviously Stamkos realized he couldn't handle the pressure of playing in a real hockey market. So stay in TB where he can hide rather than go somewhere where he would be on call 24 X7 but could be a legend. Guess this is a good move for a coward.

Butthurt much?

I'm happy he stayed for a reasonable price. Anything over $9-mill and I would have been relieved he went somewhere else.

Now we just need to dump Carle's salary. Ohlund's is finally off the books.

People keep saying we should trade Val, but I would trade Cally before Val.

Yes, Val is overpaid for a 3C, but he would be a 2C on most teams. His caphit is not nearly as painful as Callahan's.

stamkos is a dumbass. Just like Nash go live in anonymity. Both wont amount to much.

Stamkos left money on the table based on what MLSE and the extra media contract offered to NOT be the captain of the Leafs. To win in his hometown.

Oh well. I would prefer we spend the money on a guy like Tavares anyway.

I bet good money he doesn't win poop in Tampa.
- 13LEAFS01

Hahaha he were go, Tavares watch 2018

stamkos is a dumbass. Just like Nash go live in anonymity. Both wont amount to much.

Stamkos left money on the table based on what MLSE and the extra media contract offered to NOT be the captain of the Leafs. To win in his hometown.

Oh well. I would prefer we spend the money on a guy like Tavares anyway.

I bet good money he doesn't win poop in Tampa.

And he'd be banging your sister if he had signed for the Leafs.

See, this is exactly why he didn't want to play in TO. Too many douchebag whiny punks second-guessing his every move.

Yeah, Tampa sucks so bad, that is why half of Canada spends their winters down here.

Thats why they are cowards, go somewhere they can hide instead of embracing it. Oh well, can't miss what you never had.
- rebel

Lol @ nerds raging through a computer screen at a superstar who doesn't give a (frank) at all what he thinks

Lol @ nerds raging through a computer screen at a superstar who doesn't give a (frank) at all what he thinks
- RileyB77

Stamkos resigned with Tampa bay because he wants to win championships and play for a team who drafted him his whole career not because he can't embrace the media ... He won't win in Toronto and he knows it

I bet good money he doesn't win poop in Tampa.

Like the Rocket Trophy or the Price of Wales trophy?

Dumbass. Go back down into your basement and open another Pornhub tab.

stamkos is a dumbass. Just like Nash go live in anonymity. Both wont amount to much.

Stamkos left money on the table based on what MLSE and the extra media contract offered to NOT be the captain of the Leafs. To win in his hometown.

Oh well. I would prefer we spend the money on a guy like Tavares anyway.

I bet good money he doesn't win poop in Tampa.
- 13LEAFS01

Nash has been in NYC for a few years.

Tough to say that about a team who went to the cup final with him and 1 game away from it the next year right after without him. Sounds like they're close.

Hilarious how stoked maple leafs fans got themselves when he never once said a word about going back to Toronto and said the whole time he wants to stay in Tampa bay and win cups . You all brought this massive disappointment upon yourselves . Read into the media that feeds you all you want , but if you just listened to stamkos himself then you wouldn't be flipping out on a (frank)ing website right now lololololol

And he'd be banging your sister if he had signed for the Leafs.

See, this is exactly why he didn't want to play in TO. Too many douchebag whiny punks second-guessing his every move.

Yeah, Tampa sucks so bad, that is why half of Canada spends their winters down here.
- GalacticStone

Don't group us altogether, every fan base has its special ones.

I would have loved to have stammer play for the leafs. I would have understood why he wanted to come to Toronto, and I understand why he would want to stay in Tampa. We still have alot to be excited about in Toronto, and I hope stamkos gets his cup in Tampa while we are building. Most rational fans would feel the same I'm sure.

I used to watch the Leafs back in the late 80's and early 90's. A Canadian friend of mine got me into hockey and he was a big TO fan. I loved Dougie Gilmour and Wendel Clark. But, it has been a dark time for TO fans since the days of Sundin and Potvin. I do like what TO has been doing - they are on the right path now. Shanahan has been a blessing. That guy wants to win and knows what it takes to do it. In a couple more years, TO is going to be a contender.

Yeah, I was just busting balls. Not all TO fans are trolls. And not all Tampa fans are clueless bandwagoners.

I think had he picked any destination other than TB, Leaf fans would have been bitter.
Most Leaf fans are happy for the guy - he gave a home town discount to play for the team that drafted him.
- Cooshie

Absolutely agree with this. To me it was always Leafs/Bolts choice b/c anything else and he's to a certain extent vilified in both cities.