Michael Stuart: On Steven Stamkos, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and 2016

This blog is just asking for trouble.

This blog is just asking for trouble.
- TheMadNavigator

Probably what he was going for when he favorited the tweet.

Here they come in full force leaf fans ranger fans Montreal fans get ready! My bet it yzerman extends him in 2015! Next summer! If he is smart I'd sign a 3 year deal for 12 million per in tampa! Then go for 8 year term after that! Because then he could get 16 from tampa when that cap is much higher.

This blog is just asking for trouble.
- TheMadNavigator

Yep mike want 1000 comments on this blog and it just might work.

Here they come in full force leaf fans ranger fans Montreal fans get ready! My bet it yzerman extends him in 2015! Next summer! If he is smart I'd sign a 3 year deal for 12 million per in tampa! Then go for 8 year term after that! Because then he could get 16 from tampa when that cap is much higher.
- todd1a

I can't see any organization going for a three-year term. Maybe I'm wrong though.

Yep mike want 1000 comments on this blog and it just might work.
- todd1a

I doubt it gets anywhere close to that.

It will be an interesting season in 2015/16. The hockey world would have noticed Stamkos was a pending UFA, but it would have been on the backburner. Now, just from a retweet, it will be a focal point from July 1, 2015 until the day he is signed.

How many good free agents from Ontario have had the chance to sign with the Leafs over the last decade and have not?

So many media members were speculating that Perry would not sign long-term with the Ducks as he would like to be a Leaf. Same for Tavares, Staal, Nash...

Fact is: The Leafs are as dysfunctional as they come. Stamkos, like all other sane superstar, will not sign there.

I think stamkos is a smart very mature guy with a good head in his shoulders . Those thoughts would all change if he signed with the leafs

I wouldn't read too much into it

I think stamkos is a smart very mature guy with a good head in his shoulders . Those thoughts would all change if he signed with the leafs

I wouldn't read too much into it
- RileyB77

This post actually made me laugh out loud. I don't know why. I just envisioned you saying it all seriously.

When can the Lightning start negotiating with Stamkos - isn't it July 1st, 2015... were a year out before the Bolts and Steven can even start negotiating and this is already starting.

Remember this day everyone. It is the day the NON-STOP "Stamkos to Toronto" rumors were born.

2 years of this........ Yeah that won't get old at all.

Remember this day everyone. It is the day the NON-STOP "Stamkos to Toronto" rumors were born.

2 years of this........ Yeah that won't get old at all.
- Steven_Dean

This started during his last contract negotiation.

When can the Lightning start negotiating with Stamkos - isn't it July 1st, 2015... were a year out before the Bolts and Steven can even start negotiating and this is already starting.
- stammerman

And two years before the Leafs can start negotiating with him

This started during his last contract negotiation.
- Michael_Stuart

And was shut down for 3 years. Some a-hole decided to bring it back like a tool

And was shut down for 3 years. Some a-hole decided to bring it back like a tool


- Steven_Dean

You're welcome?

It's bad enough he has to carry the Bolts, why would he want to carry an even worse team?

It's bad enough he has to carry the Bolts, why would he want to carry an even worse team?
- Kaden

Umm the Bolts were still decent without him.

Umm the Bolts were still decent without him.
- Nucker101

Sorry I forgot about how St. Louis carried them when he was down...but now that he is gone

Sorry I forgot about how St. Louis carried them when he was down...but now that he is gone
- Kaden

I think you're underrating the rest of the team. Bishop and Hedmen were awesome for them and they're pretty deep up front.

LeBron>Stamkos

It is an interesting thought.

Its a reach with money though. Not a single big contract will come off the books before his signing.

The team will have 19 million in cap space with Stamkos(guessing the cap goes to about 75 mil by then) minus the signings of Franson, Gardiner, Rielly, Bernier, and Holland. They will have to fill 8 forwards slots, 1 dman, and 1 back up G. So the 5 names could potentially eat all of the 19 million. The TML will have to move Bozak, Clarkson, and someone else (Phaneuf if it would ever happen) just to make it work and get a decent roster.

A lot of assumptions with signings and cap with the post. It will be a big money issue, JMO though.

Don't think it will happen unless the cap goes up by $8mill by then. Lightning have a better chance of offering him the $

Umm the Bolts were still decent without him.
- Nucker101

But with St. Louis gone, its a bigger blow. They'd still be a good team, but I don't think they'd be a top tier team with him gone.