Erik Erlendsson: Tampa Bay Lightning already busy, more to come? Bishop? Stamkos? Ahead of the NHL draft, Tampa Bay seems to be setting things up, but for what?

I don't see Stamkos staying either.

Frankly (and I never thought I would say this, this soon), I think he is past his prime. He just hasn't been the same since that awful leg injury. Now with the bloodclot issue, his health has an asterisk next to it.

In the past, he has mostly been invisible in the playoffs. He obviously gets a pass for this more recent playoffs, but when he has been on the ice in the post-season, he has been underwhelming. You really need your best players to elevate their game in the post-season, and Stamkos just doesn't seem to have that ability.

I really think he is going to Toronto and I wish him well there. I hope he becomes the hometown hero and gives the Leafs fans something to cheer about - lord knows they need it. Stamkos is a great guy, but his days in Tampa are over.

Any team that pays him north of $9-million is insane. He wants Toews or Kopitar money, but those guys have Cup rings and they elevate their games in the playoffs. Stamkos just hasn't shown he is worth that kind of money. If he would take a Crosby-like discount to stay, then that is great for everyone, but I really see him walking.

I don't see Stamkos staying either.

Frankly (and I never thought I would say this, this soon), I think he is past his prime. He just hasn't been the same since that awful leg injury. Now with the bloodclot issue, his health has an asterisk next to it.

In the past, he has mostly been invisible in the playoffs. He obviously gets a pass for this more recent playoffs, but when he has been on the ice in the post-season, he has been underwhelming. You really need your best players to elevate their game in the post-season, and Stamkos just doesn't seem to have that ability.

I really think he is going to Toronto and I wish him well there. I hope he becomes the hometown hero and gives the Leafs fans something to cheer about - lord knows they need it. Stamkos is a great guy, but his days in Tampa are over.

Any team that pays him north of $9-million is insane. He wants Toews or Kopitar money, but those guys have Cup rings and they elevate their games in the playoffs. Stamkos just hasn't shown he is worth that kind of money. If he would take a Crosby-like discount to stay, then that is great for everyone, but I really see him walking.
- GalacticStone

So Vasy's blood clot isn't an issue and for a goalie who's 21. I hate to say it but if Bish goes don't plan on any playoffs next year. No Stamkos no problem getting there.

What is going on with Yzerman?! If we lose Stamkos for nothing, then Bishop (or Vasey) for nothing and we still don't have Kucherov next year the guy needs to lose his job. Nobody loses players like Stamkos for nothing. Yzerman didn't move him and kept talking about signing him and nothing is happening. Oh good we signed Paquette and Brown. GTFOH! Do something Yzerman

I don't see Stamkos staying either.

Frankly (and I never thought I would say this, this soon), I think he is past his prime. He just hasn't been the same since that awful leg injury. Now with the bloodclot issue, his health has an asterisk next to it.

Any team that pays him north of $9-million is insane. He wants Toews or Kopitar money, but those guys have Cup rings and they elevate their games in the playoffs. Stamkos just hasn't shown he is worth that kind of money. If he would take a Crosby-like discount to stay, then that is great for everyone, but I really see him walking.
- GalacticStone

Galactic, I concur on this, my thoughts exactly. Wish it was different, but it isn't. He's not the same, they can't afford him, and they played well without him. It's sad, it stinks, but it's reality, it's about the name on the front of the sweater, not the back. Yzerman gets it. Tampa Bay is fortunate to have him.

What is going on with Yzerman?! If we lose Stamkos for nothing, then Bishop (or Vasey) for nothing and we still don't have Kucherov next year the guy needs to lose his job. Nobody loses players like Stamkos for nothing. Yzerman didn't move him and kept talking about signing him and nothing is happening. Oh good we signed Paquette and Brown. GTFOH! Do something Yzerman
- Kucherovski

Go away!

Even if Stamkos hasn't produced that much in the playoffs yet, he has been a consistent regular season producer. I don't know if we make the playoffs without Steven Stamkos, as it would put a lot of the burden on Johnson, And Kucherov. I still imagine they could make the playoffs with Stamkos, but it would be more difficult. We'll see, if Yzerman can trade Bishop, I say definitely resign Stamkos for 9-10 mil, if not let him walk, as we will still be in a good position. Also, does anyone know how good the guy is that we drafted in the first round. It feels like this is the first year in a while Yzerman hasn't traded down for two seconds in this year's draft haha.

I don't see Stamkos staying either.

Frankly (and I never thought I would say this, this soon), I think he is past his prime. He just hasn't been the same since that awful leg injury. Now with the bloodclot issue, his health has an asterisk next to it.

In the past, he has mostly been invisible in the playoffs. He obviously gets a pass for this more recent playoffs, but when he has been on the ice in the post-season, he has been underwhelming. You really need your best players to elevate their game in the post-season, and Stamkos just doesn't seem to have that ability.

I really think he is going to Toronto and I wish him well there. I hope he becomes the hometown hero and gives the Leafs fans something to cheer about - lord knows they need it. Stamkos is a great guy, but his days in Tampa are over.

Any team that pays him north of $9-million is insane. He wants Toews or Kopitar money, but those guys have Cup rings and they elevate their games in the playoffs. Stamkos just hasn't shown he is worth that kind of money. If he would take a Crosby-like discount to stay, then that is great for everyone, but I really see him walking.
- GalacticStone

Sounds like a perfect fit for Stamkos in Toronto since they don't play in the playoffs.

What is going on with Yzerman?! If we lose Stamkos for nothing, then Bishop (or Vasey) for nothing and we still don't have Kucherov next year the guy needs to lose his job. Nobody loses players like Stamkos for nothing. Yzerman didn't move him and kept talking about signing him and nothing is happening. Oh good we signed Paquette and Brown. GTFOH! Do something Yzerman
- Kucherovski

Understand your frustration with Yzerman but there is likely a reason for his decisions. Unfortunately he is going to lose some key players between now and the expansion draft.

We will sign Stamkos and would also like to take Yzerman off your hands. We could use a replacement GM for Holland in the next year or two.

Teams can now talk to Stamkos.

We will sign Stamkos and would also like to take Yzerman off your hands. We could use a replacement GM for Holland in the next year or two.
- datswho

Place your bets.

Place your bets.
- Leafsandbolts

I am definitely betting heavily that we get neither. But I can dream

Understand your frustration with Yzerman but there is likely a reason for his decisions. Unfortunately he is going to lose some key players between now and the expansion draft.
- Leafsandbolts

I'm ok with losing key players but to lose them for nothing is insane. When is the last time a player like Stamkos just walked with no compensation back to his original team?

Teams can now talk to Stamkos.
- Leafsandbolts

He will see all the offers and evaluate the net to him and view a move but enough is enough, make a decision before July 1 because just about every other player that needs to be signed are sitting waiting for him. If we have to pay more than 9.5 let him go. He played here for 8 years and has the right but enough is enough.

What is going on with Yzerman?! If we lose Stamkos for nothing, then Bishop (or Vasey) for nothing and we still don't have Kucherov next year the guy needs to lose his job. Nobody loses players like Stamkos for nothing. Yzerman didn't move him and kept talking about signing him and nothing is happening. Oh good we signed Paquette and Brown. GTFOH! Do something Yzerman
- Kucherovski

Lol no no and no

This was easy to predict playing out exactly as it has so far. Kuch and Hedman are the most important signings we need to make. Bishop will be dealt between now and exp draft. Who knows on Stammer. Either way this is far from done but for some reason you've already jumped the cliff

I'm ok with losing key players but to lose them for nothing is insane. When is the last time a player like Stamkos just walked with no compensation back to his original team?
- Kucherovski

Let things play out before you criticize for things that haven't happened yet

I'm ok with losing key players but to lose them for nothing is insane. When is the last time a player like Stamkos just walked with no compensation back to his original team?
- Kucherovski

You can go back and lay the blame on Stevie Y if he goes, his not offering contracts more than 5 years created this, although I don't know if Stammer only wanted a 5 year deal -possible, If not he could have signed him to an 8 instead of 5 and we would be talking about this when he's 29 instead of 26. I guess we will find out in a week or so what transpired.

He will see all the offers and evaluate the net to him and view a move but enough is enough, make a decision before July 1 because just about every other player that needs to be signed are sitting waiting for him. If we have to pay more than 9.5 let him go. He played here for 8 years and has the right but enough is enough.
- tpd11

I agree he will gather the offers and have a last meeting with Yzerman. The decision will be finally made then. I wonder if the real story will come out.

Bishop is likely not moving until the trade deadline since Calgary traded for Elliot. Bishop's price was too high at a reported $7 for 7 years.

RFAs usually are no rush to sign but it looks like a tough summer ahead.

Remember the logo the year Stamkos signed? "Seen Stamkos" I wonder where he is?

" Asked if he has made his final offer to Stamkos, Yzerman said, "I haven't given you anything up until now, I'm going to keep it that way." " from Joe Smith's article.

Wow, did not expect Yzerman to trade Deangelo for a second rounder, hopefully this kid is good cause Deangelo seemed to have a lot of upside ...

Wow, did not expect Yzerman to trade Deangelo for a second rounder, hopefully this kid is good cause Deangelo seemed to have a lot of upside ...
- jvar17

Yzerman must have a player he wants at that spot, Deangelo I thought was a great depth D man

Let things play out before you criticize for things that haven't happened yet
- uf1910

Agree it just seems like things are going in the direction of losing players for nothing.

Wow, did not expect Yzerman to trade Deangelo for a second rounder, hopefully this kid is good cause Deangelo seemed to have a lot of upside ...
- jvar17

Wonder if he is spreading out his talent pipeline a bit but decision is odd.

This is all due to the salary cap which is new to the NHL. It has not gone up much at all and its hurting us. The black hawks have lost some good players due to the salary cap burden. Free agency only comes along once for players in their prime and Stamkos has every right to test the market. He will let Yzerman know when he thinks he won't return to the bolts. We would have won a cup this year if stamkos did not get that extremely rare blood clot and if Bishop had not hurt himself (by leaving the net with to much traffice around). If we lose # 91 with no compensation I dont blame yzerman. Winning a Cup is priority #1. Its just bad luck. Lets see how this pans out. If we could get another good offensive player (somehow) it would lessen the hole left open by stamkos if he leaves. We finally have an owner who has the money and willingness to spend it but this salary cap prevents him from doing so. The salary cap should be alot higher for these nhl players.