Michael Stuart: Does the Cap Situation Start with Stamkos or Hedman?

Trade Stamkos now for a boatload of picks and prospects. Makes room for Druin in the top 6 and saves the cash to resign the other important pieces that are coming up soon. He is signing with the Leafs in 2016 anyways sooo...

This question has no right answer and because of that I can't answer your question because Stamkos and Hedman are the two players that are the franchise. Unless one or both of them wants out they both have to be signed over any other players so my brain can't make that decision.

Now in my opinion I am sure most will say Hedman because of the triplets allure.

But again I can't fathom it... why give me brain teasers at 1 in the morning.

I think it's both but hedman was super important in the playoffs. I thought besides johnson hedman was our playoff mvp. If I had to lose one i'd lose stamkos before hedman. you can see how important keith was for the blackhawks!

Trade Stamkos now for a boatload of picks and prospects. Makes room for Druin in the top 6 and saves the cash to resign the other important pieces that are coming up soon. He is signing with the Leafs in 2016 anyways sooo...
- dwoo33

stamkos has a full nmc this last year in his contract so that would be tricky

Trade Stamkos now for a boatload of picks and prospects. Makes room for Druin in the top 6 and saves the cash to resign the other important pieces that are coming up soon. He is signing with the Leafs in 2016 anyways sooo...
- dwoo33

everyone knows this is a game by stamkos and his agent he will have a new contract before he steps on the ice for training camp.

Good blog Michael, also you have to keep in mind two other players that will be in for huge raises. Kucherov is a real bonus now but he is a young Datsyuk in my eyes and will need to be paid and Johnson as well likely to get a big raise in a couple years. Johnson is the next Marty St. Louis. I thought those two were bigger stars than Stamkos last spring. If I had to choose I would keep Hedman over Stamkos anyday based on the top forwards working their way to stardom. Hedman is irreplaceable.

Jeez don't tell me Goodell got to you too Mike….and start with Stammer if (god forbid) the Bolts find themselves to be sellers in Hedman's contract year someone spends the farm on top D-men over a number one center (who will have the biggest contract on the planet by then).

Man, it's almost unimaginable in any other scenario, but I think Tampa is the one team that could stomach the loss of a superstar like Stamkos. I think the collection of Johnson, Kucherov, Palat, Killorn, Drouin, Callahan, and Filppula alongside guys like Namestnikov, Erne, and anyone else they could get in the massive return for Stamkos would more than cover the team's needs on offense. Ideally, Drouin is resolved to learning to play at C regularly.

Good blog Michael, also you have to keep in mind two other players that will be in for huge raises. Kucherov is a real bonus now but he is a young Datsyuk in my eyes and will need to be paid and Johnson as well likely to get a big raise in a couple years. Johnson is the next Marty St. Louis. I thought those two were bigger stars than Stamkos last spring. If I had to choose I would keep Hedman over Stamkos anyday based on the top forwards working their way to stardom. Hedman is irreplaceable.
- flyerdude17

Devil's advocate but if they take care of stammer now they have time to get out from some tough contracts like Carle and Filpula and maybe even Cally before its time to pay Hedman.

Man, it's almost unimaginable in any other scenario, but I think Tampa is the one team that could stomach the loss of a superstar like Stamkos. I think the collection of Johnson, Kucherov, Palat, Killorn, Drouin, Callahan, and Filppula alongside guys like Namestnikov, Erne, and anyone else they could get in the massive return for Stamkos would more than cover the team's needs on offense. Ideally, Drouin is resolved to learning to play at C regularly.
- MaximumBone

Yep, you're right, they are going to be (frank)ed over with the cap. Callahan needs to go. Ducks could afford him.

Yep, you're right, they are going to be (frank)ed over with the cap. Callahan needs to go. Ducks could afford him.
- RonPielep

Maybe now, but next year two of their top-3 Dmen and both their goalies are gonna need new contracts. Lindholm is gonna get at least what Fowler got (likely more), Vatanen will likely get a bridge deal of sorts, and Andersen is looking at a pretty penny unless they move on from him and use Gibson as their starter.

If they move on from Stamkos (unlikely, but plausible), their regular C depth still stands as Johnson, Filppula, Paquette, and Boyle with Namestnikov looking to take a step and Drouin possibly moving to C. Filppula's numbers would be sure to shoot back up if given linemates like Killorn and Callahan and that's a strong 2nd line capable of playing the shutdown game. This leaves the triplets together and opens the door for Drouin in the top-9, but he could also swap with Callahan or Filppula whenever he needed more icetime.

DP

stamkos 8 years 80 million. hedman 6 years 40 million. done.

remember we wont have bishops 6 mill on the books once we trade him and have vasy take over as the no. 1. the money will work itself out. besides stamkos and the triplets everyone up front is interchangeable and replaceable. hedman and stralman need to stay forever. they are up there with keith and seabrook as one of the best pairings in the league.


i think the triplets will all get matching 5 year 25 million deals. maybe 30 mill. then we influx the bottom lines with young guys. callahan will prob need to be moved. filppula will either get moved or will be gone when we need him to be.

koekkoek and deangelo will take over in the top 4 behind hedman and stralman eventually. i wouldnt mind keeping garrison. coburn, carle, sustr can all go

hedman stralman
garrison koekkoek
deangelo nesterov
witkowski

would be fine with me after some seasoning.

i think that D set up and up front in a few years will be...

killorn stamkos drouin
palat johnson kucherov
erne namestnikov paquette
brown boyle condra

Maybe now, but next year two of their top-3 Dmen and both their goalies are gonna need new contracts. Lindholm is gonna get at least what Fowler got (likely more), Vatanen will likely get a bridge deal of sorts, and Andersen is looking at a pretty penny unless they move on from him and use Gibson as their starter.

If they move on from Stamkos (unlikely, but plausible), their regular C depth still stands as Johnson, Filppula, Paquette, and Boyle with Namestnikov looking to take a step and Drouin possibly moving to C. Filppula's numbers would be sure to shoot back up if given linemates like Killorn and Callahan and that's a strong 2nd line capable of playing the shutdown game. This leaves the triplets together and opens the door for Drouin in the top-9, but he could also swap with Callahan or Filppula whenever he needed more icetime.
- MaximumBone

I just think there are better plays than not resigning Stamkos (as long as he isn't asking for $12+M). Agreed that Hedman is less expendable but there has to be other options for them to sign both. Basically they need to find a tricky way to trim their salary fat (i.e. Callahan).

stamkos 8 years 80 million. hedman 6 years 40 million. done.

remember we wont have bishops 6 mill on the books once we trade him and have vasy take over as the no. 1. the money will work itself out. besides stamkos and the triplets everyone up front is interchangeable and replaceable. hedman and stralman need to stay forever. they are up there with keith and seabrook as one of the best pairings in the league.


i think the triplets will all get matching 5 year 25 million deals. maybe 30 mill. then we influx the bottom lines with young guys. callahan will prob need to be moved. filppula will either get moved or will be gone when we need him to be.

koekkoek and deangelo will take over in the top 4 behind hedman and stralman eventually. i wouldnt mind keeping garrison. coburn, carle, sustr can all go

hedman stralman
garrison koekkoek
deangelo nesterov
witkowski

would be fine with me after some seasoning.

i think that D set up and up front in a few years will be...

killorn stamkos drouin
palat johnson kucherov
erne namestnikov paquette
brown boyle condra
- boltsfan48

The budget will balance itself.

I honestly don't think it's that big of an issue. Bishops big pay back comes off when it time to pay Hedman.

I honestly don't think it's that big of an issue. Bishops big pay back comes off when it time to pay Hedman.
- Artyukhin76

Yup, but we need to find money for Vasy same year to. If hes really ready to take over number 1 in 2 years then he atleast gets 4 million.

But I agree, pay them both. Hedman may be our Keith, but Stammer is our Toews. You need both to win cups. If I had to choose, i must say that Stamkos production is easier to replace. Would suck to see him in another jersey though.

I honestly don't think it's that big of an issue. Bishops big pay back comes off when it time to pay Hedman.
- Artyukhin76

yes but then you have to give vasy some type of raise

I think you have to look at the windows of opportunity, ours being now and in three years we would need a Chicago style replacement of some of the assets. Keep Stammer and Hedman and rework younger guys who will be ready into the D positions- Koekkoek and DeAngelo with Carle and Colburn off the books by then. We aren't going to keep all the forwards Filp will be ready to go and Cally will be vulnerable at 32-33. Erne will be added and who knows what other prospects are pushing for graduating by then. Bish/ Vasy and Drouin will be answered by then and with two new teams not everyone will be protected. Just the reality of the Cap era the CD is pretty low now and hopefully can't hurt the Cap as much as the last two years where we were projected to be 76-77 by now and revenues ? It's a year to year with the Cap and dealing with it but your talking a total of about 8-9 mil total more for these two so it starts with Hedman and where the Cap is and replacing older more expensive players with our prospects. Keep them both.

stamkos 8 years 80 million. hedman 6 years 40 million. done.

remember we wont have bishops 6 mill on the books once we trade him and have vasy take over as the no. 1. the money will work itself out. besides stamkos and the triplets everyone up front is interchangeable and replaceable. hedman and stralman need to stay forever. they are up there with keith and seabrook as one of the best pairings in the league.


i think the triplets will all get matching 5 year 25 million deals. maybe 30 mill. then we influx the bottom lines with young guys. callahan will prob need to be moved. filppula will either get moved or will be gone when we need him to be.

koekkoek and deangelo will take over in the top 4 behind hedman and stralman eventually. i wouldnt mind keeping garrison. coburn, carle, sustr can all go

hedman stralman
garrison koekkoek
deangelo nesterov
witkowski

would be fine with me after some seasoning.

i think that D set up and up front in a few years will be...

killorn stamkos drouin
palat johnson kucherov
erne namestnikov paquette
brown boyle condra
- boltsfan48

It's a nice thought, but Callahans contract is almost unmoveable.

yes but then you have to give vasy some type of raise
- todd1a

He'll be an RFA who just got the starting position. It won't be much.

BTW, Brayden Point had 2+3 in Canadas Junior game vs Czech (7-1). Can this kid be good enough to make an impact in the NHL?

He'll be an RFA who just got the starting position. It won't be much.
- Artyukhin76

I could see him getting Hedman money (4x4 or something in that ballpark).

BTW, Brayden Point had 2+3 in Canadas Junior game vs Czech (7-1). Can this kid be good enough to make an impact in the NHL?
- Cloud

To me, this kid was a steal in the 3rd.