The Leafs would have to offer up fair value or overpay Stewart as an RFA to get them to part with him.

The only way Stewart would go so cheaply would be if he had a HUGE attitude problem and they absolutely had to get rid of him for the sake of team chemistry. But I highly doubt it's that bad. Chances are he just doesn't get along with Hitchcock.
- Unholy_Goalie

Then why the hell would you even try to suggest they could sign him for 3mil? Smarten up?

My thing is, why would St Louis pay so much for him and then turn around and trade him for Clarke (frank)ing MacArthur and and unknown in the pick? Because leaf fans want them to? What's in this for them? As far as i can see, nothing, absolutely nothing, trade a young potential Powerforward for a dime a (frank)ing dozen player like MacArthur and an unknown pick. Come on man be serious.
- shinebox

Hey man, I'm the one telling other Leaf posters it would cost more. Other fools here seem to think it would be macarthur and a third, or a 3mil offer.

BACKES WAS NOWHERE NEAR A CORE PLAYER IN THE SUMMER OF 08.
- prock

Yeah, not like he was their top prospect that they had high hopes for or anything.

You're making less and less sense as you ramble on. Backes in 2008 has nothing to do with Stewart in 2012. Stewart in 2012, is 25, scored 15 goals and 30 points and has problems with the head coach. There is no way they would match a four year, 12.4 million dollar deal with Oshie, Perron, Berglund, Pietroangelo and Shattenkirk to sign in the next two years. And they're a budget team too by the way.

If you're point is that some stupid team out there will try and overpay for Stewart then it's a moot point because I've been saying that the team that could make that "outrageous" offer is the Leafs.

Then why the hell would you even try to suggest they could sign him for 3mil? Smarten up?
- prock

Why would the Blues match a four year, 12.4 million dollar deal? That's the definition of overpaying for a guy who just scored 15 goals and 30 points. And who has attitude problems.

Keep in mind that to the Blues, a budget team, a "fair deal" is the 4 year, 13.45 million dollar deal they gave to Steen who is a 20 goal, 50 point, two-way forward with a good attitude.

Here's the thing though.

Stewart is an RFA. So are Oshie and Perron. Next year, it's Berglund, D'Agostini, Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk, Russel and Cole.

If Stewart and his agent play hard ball and want 3 million a year or more, the Blues might be forced into moving him or letting him walk to an offer sheet that is too high.

MacArthur at 3.25 million would be unwise of them to take because for that price they could just keep Stewart and get twice as much potential out of him. If they were to trade Stewart, it would have to be for picks and prospects. And good ones.
- Unholy_Goalie

This was my initial point that started this whole conversation. Especially seeing what they gave to acquire him.

Why would the Blues match a four year, 12.4 million dollar deal? That's the definition of overpaying for a guy who just scored 15 goals and 30 points. And who has attitude problems.

Keep in mind that to the Blues, a budget team, a "fair deal" is the 4 year, 13.45 million dollar deal they gave to Steen who is a 20 goal, 50 point, two-way forward with a good attitude.
- Unholy_Goalie

You honestly believe the best offer he can get is 3mil? Not a chance. That doesn't come close to signing him.

Hey man, I'm the one telling other Leaf posters it would cost more. Other fools here seem to think it would be macarthur and a third, or a 3mil offer.
- prock

This was where i drew the line earlier in the thread, and for good reason.

This was my initial point that started this whole conversation. Especially seeing what they gave to acquire him.
- shinebox

Shattenkirk was a part of the deal too.

If they really want rid of him I can see them taking something like macarthur, a second, and kadri, percy, or mckegg or something like that. Macarthur, a third and a career AHLer, as someone suggested earlier, is just stupid.

And I obviously think he costs more than 4 to sign at rfa.

You honestly believe the best offer he can get is 3mil? Not a chance. That doesn't come close to signing him.
- prock

Have to believe that St Louis might not match that, but once that war starts you can best bet quite a few teams will be in on this player, so i doubt it will be a one team show. As a young player like Stewart, no way i sign a long term deal for 3 million, no chance at all in fact. So then another team hears of the offer, realizes he can be had, and offers 4/4.5 for 4 years and he takes it, that is pretty much how i see it going down.

You honestly believe the best offer he can get is 3mil? Not a chance. That doesn't come close to signing him.
- prock

12.4 million dollars for a guy who scored 30 points with attitude problems. That's an overpayment.

Shattenkirk was a part of the deal too.

If they really want rid of him I can see them taking something like macarthur, a second, and kadri, percy, or mckegg or something like that. Macarthur, a third and a career AHLer, as someone suggested earlier, is just stupid.

And I obviously think he costs more than 4 to sign at rfa.
- prock

Indeed, but you know full damn well that he wasn't the centerpiece in that deal, although he still might turn out to be the best player in that deal once is all said and done. And i agree with the bolded.

12.4 million dollars for a guy who scored 30 points with attitude problems. That's an overpayment.
- Unholy_Goalie

Sure in a perfect world, thing is once those offers sheets start going, and it seems as he is able to be had, i honestly doubt it is a one team race. As a young player like Stewart there is no way i sign a long term 3 million dollar deal, none. I take a one year deal worth 3.5 with the devil i know, try and put together the best year possible and hit the UFA market with a good year behind me and some momentum to cash in on...

Yeah, not like he was their top prospect that they had high hopes for or anything.

You're making less and less sense as you ramble on. Backes in 2008 has nothing to do with Stewart in 2012. Stewart in 2012, is 25, scored 15 goals and 30 points and has problems with the head coach. There is no way they would match a four year, 12.4 million dollar deal with Oshie, Perron, Berglund, Pietroangelo and Shattenkirk to sign in the next two years. And they're a budget team too by the way.

If you're point is that some stupid team out there will try and overpay for Stewart then it's a moot point because I've been saying that the team that could make that "outrageous" offer is the Leafs.


- Unholy_Goalie

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that they didn't consider a 24 year old that scored 30 points, his best season yet, along with unspectacular play, their best prospect, when they had just drafted pietrangelo fourth overall, had berglund ripping it up in sweden, among other players.

Edit - its also irrelevant, because st louis wasn't the one putting out the offer sheet. Its only relevant as to why they matched.

This was where i drew the line earlier in the thread, and for good reason.
- shinebox

Okay, well that wasn't my post. And I agree, that doesn't come close.

Have to believe that St Louis might not match that, but once that war starts you can best bet quite a few teams will be in on this player, so i doubt it will be a one team show. As a young player like Stewart, no way i sign a long term deal for 3 million, no chance at all in fact. So then another team hears of the offer, realizes he can be had, and offers 4/4.5 for 4 years and he takes it, that is pretty much how i see it going down.
- shinebox

EXACTLY. No way in hell he goes for less than 4.

Okay, well that wasn't my post. And I agree, that doesn't come close.
- prock

I didn't jump all over it just because, i did so because i strongly disagreed with initial post and it was either homerism at it's best or a gross over valuing of Mac, i may have over embellished with the plug stuff, but still, i was trying to make a point to the other leafers. Which, if you don't go at least a little over the top with, they likely won't get it, so.....

EXACTLY. No way in hell he goes for less than 4.
- prock

U_G is right about the year length though, but the money value may have to go up some. Otherwise why wouldn't he do exactly like i said earlier, and take the one year deal and play the UFA market the following year?

U_G is right about the year length though, but the money value may have to go up some. Otherwise why wouldn't he do exactly like i said earlier, and take the one year deal and play the UFA market the following year?
- shinebox

I never argued length.

If it goes over 4mil, teams are giving up a first, and they'll want him under contract for a decent term anyway.

I didn't jump all over it just because, i did so because i strongly disagreed with initial post and it was either homerism at it's best or a gross over valuing of Mac, i may have over embellished with the plug stuff, but still, i was trying to make a point to the other leafers. Which, if you don't go at least a little over the top with, they likely won't get it, so.....
- shinebox

Go ahead, but you jumped all over the wrong guy. I realize it was stupid and was saying the same thing.

Sure in a perfect world, thing is once those offers sheets start going, and it seems as he is able to be had, i honestly doubt it is a one team race. As a young player like Stewart there is no way i sign a long term 3 million dollar deal, none. I take a one year deal worth 3.5 with the devil i know, try and put together the best year possible and hit the UFA market with a good year behind me and some momentum to cash in on...
- shinebox

Takes a 1 year deal with who? The Blues? And watch himself get benched again? And go from 30 goal scorer to 3rd liner? No way.

Stewart is going to be looking for cash and security and the Blues can't give that to him because he won't give them the effort they want and expect from him.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that they didn't consider a 24 year old that scored 30 points
- prock

Yup, 30 point players with attitude problems get 12.4 million dollar deals all the time. Especially from budget teams. They can't wait to hand out deals like that.

Yup, 30 point players with attitude problems get 12.4 million dollar deals all the time. Especially from budget teams. They can't wait to hand out deals like that.
- Unholy_Goalie

24 year old monster power forwards who have two 28 goal seasons behind them sure as hell do.

Come to think of it, I'd say the Habs would be a team that could go after him. He suits their needs perfectly.

Takes a 1 year deal with who? The Blues? And watch himself get benched again? And go from 30 goal scorer to 3rd liner? No way.

Stewart is going to be looking for cash and security and the Blues can't give that to him because he won't give them the effort they want and expect from him.
- Unholy_Goalie

I believe he will be looking for a pay day, and not one he will be getting as an RFA, so he will take the one year deal and go to UFA the following season having the books opened up for him. Taking a 4 year deal at 3 million as an RFA coming off a terrible season is a dumb idea. You want to make some money, you sign a year deal for wtf ever really, and have yourself a good year going into UFA status and get paid well, and long term. I am looking at this from a player's perspective not the leafs GM.

24 year old monster power forwards who have two 28 goal seasons behind them sure as hell do.
- prock

Oh watch out Cam Neely, here comes Chris Stewart.