GARTH'S CORNER: Stamkos Skates

Pelech on the isles had the same procedure and was skating for a month before he was cleared for contact. He is not even close to returning

Murray also has 21 premium draft picks in the 2016 and 2017 NHL drafts, with 12 of them in hand for this season.
- garth

What makes them "premium" draft picks?

What makes them "premium" draft picks?
- Atomic Wedgie

The major question is if they are unleaded

No need to trade away a good roster player or any of those listed prospects. He's a UFA and probably already knows where he is going. Trading for his rights is no guarantee in this case. Just make the best offer and hope he takes it.

What makes them "premium" draft picks?
- Atomic Wedgie

Good question. I believe Buffalo's draft picks are considered "premium" Murray has such a great record drafting players over the years. Just look at the state the the Ottawa franchise.

No need to trade away a good roster player or any of those listed prospects. He's a UFA and probably already knows where he is going. Trading for his rights is no guarantee in this case. Just make the best offer and hope he takes it.
- sippyd

Hear here.

Good question. I believe Buffalo's draft picks are considered "premium" Murray has such a great record drafting players over the years. Just look at the state the the Ottawa franchise.

Yah like Zbinejad, Silfverberg, Hoffman, Stone and hmm I dunno some guy named Karlsson is anybody to sneeze at. It's their owner and their GM that put them in the state they are now. Phaneuf? Like Mr. Murray was definitely on some painkillers when Lamorello took this trade to him.

Good question. I believe Buffalo's draft picks are considered "premium" Murray has such a great record drafting players over the years. Just look at the state the the Ottawa franchise.
- EugenesAxe

OK, I'll play along.

But if Murray trades those premium draft picks away to the Bolts to acquire Stamkos, are they still premium picks? I'm guessing Yzerman isn't nearly as good at drafting as Murray is, based upon what I've read in Garth's blogs.

Or does Murray trade those picks, but Yzerman insists as part of the deal that Murray actually makes the player selections, and Murray pinkie-swears that he will make the best selections possible?

This is so confusing.

No need to trade away a good roster player or any of those listed prospects. He's a UFA and probably already knows where he is going. Trading for his rights is no guarantee in this case. Just make the best offer and hope he takes it.
- sippyd[/quote

I would enjoy the sabres trading away some of those "premium" draft picks to get his right to have him sign elsewhere.

Would love to read Barf's blog then

It's all a moot point. Stamkos has full control on where he gets dealt with his NMC. The only way he gets dealt and Yzerman gets anything in return is if he wants his next contract to be an 8-year deal. Even then the deal will be for peanuts. 4th rounder at best.

No need to trade away a good roster player or any of those listed prospects. He's a UFA and probably already knows where he is going. Trading for his rights is no guarantee in this case. Just make the best offer and hope he takes it.
- sippyd

Murray could offer Yzerman Jack Eichel for all he cares. If Stamkos doesn't want to play in Buffalo then that deal won't happen.

It's all a moot point. Stamkos has full control on where he gets dealt with his NMC. The only way he gets dealt and Yzerman gets anything in return is if he wants his next contract to be an 8-year deal. Even then the deal will be for peanuts. 4th rounder at best.
- H8terade

Only place he can get 8 years now is in Tampa. Most anyone else can give is 7 even if your trade for him.

He was referring to Tampa doing the deal prior to the trade so he would get 8 years...

Why isn't Stammer wearing a Sabres jersey? I thought he was already Buffalo property.

He was referring to Tampa doing the deal prior to the trade so he would get 8 years...
- LifeLongLeafer

nope, just looked it up. Can only give 8 year deals:

if that Player was on such Club's Reserve List as of and since the
most recent Trade Deadline

Only place he can get 8 years now is in Tampa. Most anyone else can give is 7 even if your trade for him.
- Maximum Signal

I read that the other day. I guess to get the bonus 8th year you have to acquire the player before the trade deadline. I was gonna look in the cba but honestly i dont care. There is no way i would give up an asset either way. Murray will make a competitive 7 year offer- maybe even offer to match/beat any other 7 year offer- but ultimately stamkos is the only one who can decide where he plays.

Why isn't Stammer wearing a Sabres jersey? I thought he was already Buffalo property.
- The Looper

No need to trade away a good roster player or any of those listed prospects. He's a UFA and probably already knows where he is going. Trading for his rights is no guarantee in this case. Just make the best offer and hope he takes it.
- sippyd

This times infinity. He's going to get a max (or close to it) contract, and likely already knows where. Tampering shampering; teams and agents likely conduct hush hush talks even if technically not allowed.

I'm not trading a roster player or good prospect for a month of talk time that in all likelihood won't change the ultimate outcome.

Yah like Zbinejad, Silfverberg, Hoffman, Stone and hmm I dunno some guy named Karlsson is anybody to sneeze at. It's their owner and their GM that put them in the state they are now. Phaneuf? Like Mr. Murray was definitely on some painkillers when Lamorello took this trade to him.
- Jammerz04

I like the Phaneuf trade, needed to unload some of the players and our D is more balanced for the next year (it was horrendous outside of Karlsson and some games of Ceci and Methot) His cap hit hurts a bit but it's not like we're getting close to the cap anyways.

Yah like Zbinejad, Silfverberg, Hoffman, Stone and hmm I dunno some guy named Karlsson is anybody to sneeze at. It's their owner and their GM that put them in the state they are now. Phaneuf? Like Mr. Murray was definitely on some painkillers when Lamorello took this trade to him.
- Jammerz04

Come on man. If you are gonna pick and choose, then you should also note those "premium picks" of the Sens recent past. All first rounders...
Lazar.... looks like an average 3-4 liner
Noesen.... who?
Puempel...see above
Obrien....see above
Lee... see above
Cowen...9th overall in 2009. burp!
Zibanejad...decent 20 goal scorer. But don't you need more from the 6thpick in the 2011 draft?
What about the big trade for Bobby Ryan. Howd that work out?

In hindsight, how does Murray's draft record look now? Lotsa waste |premium picks|

No need to trade away a good roster player or any of those listed prospects. He's a UFA and probably already knows where he is going. Trading for his rights is no guarantee in this case. Just make the best offer and hope he takes it.

Exactly. Stamkos is a FA July 1st. Why would I trade something to TB for negotiating rights? TB is loaded and will be a perpetual Playoff team for the next 5-8 seasons going forward. No Way am I loading up their farm system.

Regardless, I think he has a good chance of coming to Buffalo next season as that being the option for him. Upcoming team who should make the playoffs and able to fit him under the cap.

The only other option I see if Detroit, but they're in cap hell, so...

Murray could offer Yzerman Jack Eichel for all he cares. If Stamkos doesn't want to play in Buffalo then that deal won't happen.
- H8terade

Agreed. It is Stamkos' decision, however, there are not big list of teams that have $9-11 Million in free cap space sitting around to make this deal happen.

Buffalo is the most reasonable option, as his other option includes suffering. Lots and lots of suffering...

Who cares. It's hard to imagine a scenario where Stamkos's contract isn't a total disaster for whatever hockey team acquires him. He has played his hand perfectly and he alone controls his destiny. Why on earth someone would leave a competitive hockey team with no state income tax for a bottom dweller is beyond me. Unless its for reasons other than money. And you don't compete with that. We learned that with Babcock. Move on.

In lighter news. Would Canadians please refrain from offering their opinions as to how NHL franchises should be running their organizations. Your performance this year really marginalizes your opinion anyways.

Cheers!

Who cares. It's hard to imagine a scenario where Stamkos's contract isn't a total disaster for whatever hockey team acquires him. He has played his hand perfectly and he alone controls his destiny. Why on earth someone would leave a competitive hockey team with no state income tax for a bottom dweller is beyond me. Unless its for reasons other than money. And you don't compete with that. We learned that with Babcock. Move on.

In lighter news. Would Canadians please refrain from offering their opinions as to how NHL franchises should be running their organizations. Your performance this year really marginalizes your opinion anyways.

Cheers!


- staples

Kids. Steve Stamkos ain't going to Buffalo. Buffalo is like the science geek in high school. Good kid. But he isn't going to end up with the captain of the cheerleadering team. Let me see. Leave on of the top teams in the NHL. Warm weather all year long. No state taxes. No pressure. Or go to Buffalo.

That being said. He's going to the Leafs. It's a done deal. Going back home to be a rock star. The Leafs will soon have three of the top ten young players currently not playing in the NHL. Tons of cap space. Tons of "premium picks" in next 2-3 drafts. Good leadership. Great coaching. The wealthiest team in the NHL.