Eklund: Stamkos Tide Turning?

Not a chance he stays in Tampa

He will be a leaf

Not sure why Stamkos would signal anything in the midst or a run to/into the playoffs. Why wouldn't he simply remain quiet and wait until the season is over? Any other "announcement" or signal that he was leaving would be quite a distraction. Wouldn't make him look very Captain like.

It does seem more likely he leaves. Just not sure he or his management team would handle this in the way EK is hearing. Play out the season. Work as hard as you can for the Cup. That is the way Stamkos ends up with the record breaking deal as a free agent.

Is he the best fit for the rebuilding leafs at this time?

No mention of Buffalo? His ability to play with Eichel, live near home, up and coming team, plenty of cap space and an agent that is familiar in dealing with the Sabres and Tim Murray? Seams like a great fit. Sabres trade a 3rd rounder or player for the rights at the Draft.................. Signs a max deal

No, Ek, just no.

I just got off the phone with a top source who now believes, for the first time,. based on his discussions, that a we will know sooner than later the fate of Steven Stamkos

No chance of this at all. Both Stamkos and Yzerman have gone on record stating that "this won't be discussed until after the playoffs" and Stammer directly saying that he is "happy to put this distraction behind him for a while so he can focus on the team making the playoffs and taking a run at the cup."



I am hearing more about contingency plans without Stammer in Tampa than I am with him staying put

This is called "plan for the worst and hope for the best." Until Stamkos is locked down in TB, Yzerman needs to evaluate ALL his options both with and without Stammer in TB - Managing 101

No, Ek, just no.

I just got off the phone with a top source who now believes, for the first time,. based on his discussions, that a we will know sooner than later the fate of Steven Stamkos

No chance of this at all. Both Stamkos and Yzerman have gone on record stating that "this won't be discussed until after the playoffs" and Stammer directly saying that he is "happy to put this distraction behind him for a while so he can focus on the team making the playoffs and taking a run at the cup."



I am hearing more about contingency plans without Stammer in Tampa than I am with him staying put

This is called "plan for the worst and hope for the best." Until Stamkos is locked down in TB, Yzerman needs to evaluate ALL his options both with and without Stammer in TB - Managing 101
- As_I_See_It

No talking logic on Hockeybuzz

enjoy your ban

Is he the best fit for the rebuilding leafs at this time?
- david22

He sure is.

He's elite, young, a legit #1C and a proven leader... Precisely the player the Leafs should build around. If Stammer signs for 7 years he'll only be 33 by the end of the contract. Even if the Leafs needed to rebuild for another 3 years, the team would still have him under contract for another 4 seasons.

The bottom line is this, if you have an opportunity to acquire a player of Stammer's calibre at his age (and hopefully via free agency), you do it! No question.

No mention of Buffalo? His ability to play with Eichel, live near home, up and coming team, plenty of cap space and an agent that is familiar in dealing with the Sabres and Tim Murray? Seams like a great fit. Sabres trade a 3rd rounder or player for the rights at the Draft.................. Signs a max deal
- Boss34

But... Buffalo is buffalo... so there's that as a negative to your scenario

Is he the best fit for the rebuilding leafs at this time?
- david22

That would be Robidas

He will be a leaf
- Canadianleaf

No mention of Buffalo? His ability to play with Eichel, live near home, up and coming team, plenty of cap space and an agent that is familiar in dealing with the Sabres and Tim Murray? Seams like a great fit. Sabres trade a 3rd rounder or player for the rights at the Draft.................. Signs a max deal
- Boss34

You mean the same "up and coming team" that's only 10 points ahead of the Leafs who sit in dead last due to a deliberate tank job?

No doubt Buffalo has some great young players and what appears to be a bright future, but with guys like Rielly, Nylander and Marner + to build around and one of the best coach's in the league (if not the best), sorry dude, but Buffalo's rebuild isn't that much ahead of the Leafs'.

Is he the best fit for the rebuilding leafs at this time?
- david22

He's a 26 year old star centerman. It's very rare to see those on the ufa list. IF he is available, they'd have to take a stab at him. They wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't

Can he QB the Broncos?

He'll be in New Jersey July 1. He'll fall in love with Newark

And with the Canadian dollar being so strong...I guess there is that. He'll play in the US. Hopefully not in Buffalo...I can think of better was to spend 11M but the islanders or Devils can't.

Why would he go to toronto? Lol

Stamkos wants to win more than money. He's a competive guy. Montreal Detroit or Buffalo 100%

And with the Canadian dollar being so strong...I guess there is that. He'll play in the US. Hopefully not in Buffalo...I can think of better was to spend 11M but the islanders or Devils can't.
- butch5469

he gets paid in USD and will live in Canada, another 30% bonus. He will pay a bit more income taxes...if he decides to play in Canada.

He will be a leaf
- Canadianleaf

Because every star in their prime years wants to go to a rebuilding team that's years away from the playoffs, let alone the cup.

Why would he go to toronto? Lol

Stamkos wants to win more than money. He's a competive guy. Montreal Detroit or Buffalo 100%
- QuickSCF

Right, because all of those teams are winning soon.

Money is king, that's it, and he's getting it wherever he goes.

Because every star in their prime years wants to go to a rebuilding team that's years away from the playoffs, let alone the cup.

- sskkoo1

Then you can count Buffalo out!

Then you can count Buffalo out!
- As_I_See_It

Eichel > Marnier
Reinhart > Nylander
Ristolainen > Rielly

Eichel > Marnier
Reinhart > Nylander
Ristolainen > Rielly


- Mentalorgasm5

ALL highly debatable, but what isn't...

The city of Toronto >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The hole known as Buffalo

Checkmate

Then you can count Buffalo out!
- As_I_See_It

At least the Sabres know when to tank. The Leafs may win the lottery, or they could be 4th...we had a guarantee of getting one stud the last 2 years.

And the Sabres are at least 2 years ahead of the Leafs on a competitive timeline. It used to be that TO had a money advantage over us, but not anymore.

So your "TO is the center of the hockey universe" logic is flawed. Stamkos may not want to be a part of the circus that a star in TO has to face every day.

And give us all a break with "tanking with honor". What a load of garbage. Tank is a tank...TO just did it a little too late.