Erik Erlendsson: Some highlights from Lightning locker clean out day Tampa Bay closed up shop for the season, one day after the season ended in a Game 7 loss to Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference finals

I now think Stamkos for sure will not be back but I will still say and have on this board before that I would rather keep Stamkos over Tyler Johnson. I know thats not a popular opinion but I have always said this and I love Johnson but to me I still wonder if he can take the rigors of being the 1C for the next 6-7 years. This off season is going to a wild one for the Bolts and will define this teams future going forward. How will it all play out in the next month????

I now think Stamkos for sure will not be back but I will still say and have on this board before that I would rather keep Stamkos over Tyler Johnson. I know thats not a popular opinion but I have always said this and I love Johnson but to me I still wonder if he can take the rigors of being the 1C for the next 6-7 years. This off season is going to a wild one for the Bolts and will define this teams future going forward. How will it all play out in the next month????
- stammerman[/quote

I think Stamkos will resign with Tampa. He did say he has unfinished business. Come on Yzerman make a better offer.

I now think Stamkos for sure will not be back but I will still say and have on this board before that I would rather keep Stamkos over Tyler Johnson. I know thats not a popular opinion but I have always said this and I love Johnson but to me I still wonder if he can take the rigors of being the 1C for the next 6-7 years. This off season is going to a wild one for the Bolts and will define this teams future going forward. How will it all play out in the next month????
- stammerman

It not just Johnson though. It would most likely be Johnson AND Palat or Killorn. To me that's to much to lose.
These are a couple of those guys playoff records. Who's who:
GP 47 21 21 42 14
GP 47. 15 18 33 7
GP 46 14 15 29 6
GP 49 15 20 35 -3

It not just Johnson though. It would most likely be Johnson AND Palat or Killorn. To me that's to much to lose.
These are a couple of those guys playoff records. Who's who:
GP 47 21 21 42 14
GP 47. 15 18 33 7
GP 46 14 15 29 6
GP 49 15 20 35 -3
- Artyukhin76

If stamkos signed for less then 9.5 if think we should do it. That cap we can manage with capmanagment or letting Killorn go. Stamkos has had a couple of rough seasons, but he is a Superstar in this league. Deep in the playoffs i want him over Killorn on the ice seven days a week.

If Stammer wants 10+ then its probably a good idea to let him walk. Im fine with whatever, have loved seeing stammer play the last couple of years but this team will not fall with #91 leaving.

If stamkos signed for less then 9.5 if think we should do it. That cap we can manage with capmanagment or letting Killorn go. Stamkos has had a couple of rough seasons, but he is a Superstar in this league. Deep in the playoffs i want him over Killorn on the ice seven days a week.

If Stammer wants 10+ then its probably a good idea to let him walk. Im fine with whatever, have loved seeing stammer play the last couple of years but this team will not fall with #91 leaving.
- Cloud

This is where those Callahan/Coburn contracts start to really hurt. Not to mention Carle's... though I have to imagine they find some way to get him off the books.

I expect Stamkos is going to free agency to determine his value. I also expect he will give Yzerman a last chance to close the gap.

Right now, I believe Stamkos' agent thinks the current offer is too low and it is difficult to get Yzerman to budge. So nothing happens until July.

Stamkos will either end up in Toronto or Tampa where he will happy and well paid. His career prospects are still better in Tampa since the team is so much better. I would hate for the Lightning to lose Stamkos for 1 - 2 million.

Mike makes a great point about overpaying on contracts in $ and term. I hope if Stamkos resigns we are not adding his contract to that list. I don't think so but time will tell.

I expect Stamkos is going to free agency to determine his value. I also expect he will give Yzerman a last chance to close the gap.

Right now, I believe Stamkos' agent thinks the current offer is too low and it is difficult to get Yzerman to budge. So nothing happens until July.

Stamkos will either end up in Toronto or Tampa where he will happy and well paid. His career prospects are still better in Tampa since the team is so much better. I would hate for the Lightning to lose Stamkos for 1 - 2 million.

Mike makes a great point about overpaying on contracts in $ and term. I hope if Stamkos resigns we are not adding his contract to that list. I don't think so but time will tell.
- Leafsandbolts

Stamkos is a great player and a very important part of this team, but he is not the be-all end-all of the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise. I'm sure the last thing any of us want is a redo of the Vincent Lecavalier situation. He was signed to an albatross of the contract, then we had to shed players to keep him and it turns out we bought him out anyways.

This is where those Callahan/Coburn contracts start to really hurt. Not to mention Carle's... though I have to imagine they find some way to get him off the books.
- Michael_Stuart

I'm sure that if Yzerman had a crystal ball and could see how fast Koekkoek was gonna adapt to NHL hockey the Coburn deal would not have happen. Same with Callahans monumental point drop off. He doesn't, he has to do the best with what's in front of him.

Callahan's is bad his cap hit should be around 5 at most but he isnt going anywhere. I don't have a problem with Coburn at 3.7 now, thats not a bad deal for what he brings. Garrison at 4.6 is fine he is a consistent 3rd dman for the team. Carle will be gone for sure either by buyout or packaged into a trade. You are forgetting Filppula paying 5 for basically nothing more then a above average defensive center-man since he refuses to try to score. To me it is Carle and Filppula who have to go this season - Carle will for sure but Cooper loves him some Fil.

Stamkos is great player and a very important part of this team, but he is not the be-all end-all of the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise. I'm sure the last thing any of us want is a redo of the Vincent Lecavalier situation. He was signed to an albatross of the contract, then we had to shed players to keep him and it turns out we bought him out anyways.
- Artyukhin76

Lightning will play next year and likely make the playoffs regardless but Stamkos is only 26 and losing him for nothing is a loss. Lecavalier was very talented but never had Stamkos work nor fitness ethics.

I hope Yzerman handles Hedman and his RFAs contracts better than this contract situation. Kucherov should be signed long term for hopefully a fair contract. Bishop's contract is still up in the air imo. Watch him win the Vezina

Lightning will play next year and likely make the playoffs regardless but Stamkos is only 26 and losing him for nothing is a loss. Lecavalier was very talented but never had Stamkos work nor fitness ethics.

I hope Yzerman handles Hedman and his RFAs contracts better than this contract situation. Kucherov should be signed long term for hopefully a fair contract. Bishop's contract is still up in the air imo. Watch him win the Vezina
- Leafsandbolts

If Stamkos resigns for a reasonable, I be the first person in line at the Mini Donut factory for a huge assortment for the party. That being said, I don't see it.

Callahan's is bad his cap hit should be around 5 at most but he isnt going anywhere. I don't have a problem with Coburn at 3.7 now, thats not a bad deal for what he brings. Garrison at 4.6 is fine he is a consistent 3rd dman for the team. Carle will be gone for sure either by buyout or packaged into a trade. You are forgetting Filppula paying 5 for basically nothing more then a above average defensive center-man since he refuses to try to score. To me it is Carle and Filppula who have to go this season - Carle will for sure but Cooper loves him some Fil.
- stammerman

Yeah, Filppula has to go too. The thing that really hurts w/ Callahan is the term though. You're not getting out of that contract any time soon. And I'd respectfully disagree w/ you on valuation, too. I don't think he's worth 5M.

Yeah, Filppula has to go too. The thing that really hurts w/ Callahan is the term though. You're not getting out of that contract any time soon. And I'd respectfully disagree w/ you on valuation, too. I don't think he's worth 5M.
- Michael_Stuart

He is not worth 5m i was just stating that is what i could justify. He is a 4.25m type of player.