There are over 3,000 words of questions and answers in here. Thanks to everyone who sent in submissions!
Q - Byfuglien Ate Me asks: Hi Stu, hope your summer is going well.
Two part question, with the Leafs making huge moves we both know the Stamkos to the Leafs rumors will start sooner than later.
Yzerman isn't crazy enough to let him walk, IMO, so when do you see him signing and how much dollars and term do you think he will get? Thanks.
A - The Stamkos-to-Toronto rumors started back when he was known as 'lil Stevie Stamkos' (i.e. when he was about four years old), I think. This is something the media and fans love to do. You take a player from a non-traditional market, you figure out where he's from, and you connect the magical dots. Vincent Lecavalier was destined to become a Montreal Canadien, if memory serves me right.
The reality of the situation is that big fish players don't usually hit the market. The Lightning will do everything the CBA allows to keep Number-91 in Tampa Bay. If that means offering him a stupid amount of money for eight years, I don't think they'll back away. As much as some people seem to think that Stamkos is expendable because the Triplets are the flavor of the month, it's hard to understate just how important the team's captain has been during the last two resurgent seasons. It wasn't too long ago that this Tampa group was very, very bad.
Stamkos' agent and Tampa are reportedly scheduled to start talking right around now. If the player is truly planning to stay with the Lightning, I really don't see how the negotiation can take long. The term? He'll get the max if he wants it. The dollars? Look at the Kane/Toews extensions and negotiate from there. There will be small details to work out, but I have to believe that the two sides agree somewhat on the big-picture details. That is, Stamkos is worth a lot of money on a long-term deal. If this isn't done by the start of training camp I'll be surprised.
Q – Dan asks: What would you say the top three smartest moves this offseason were, excluding the drafting of McDavid and Eichel?
A – I’m obviously biased, but I loved Tampa’s Erik Condra deal. I also liked Calgary’s acquisition of Dougie Hamilton and Pittsburgh’s trade for Phil Kessel.
Q – Sandus asks: In the cap world, after two or more successful seasons of contention, there is always a rebalancing in order to field a competitive team, and that requires young players to graduate from the minors and become productive players at the next level.
Where do you believe the positions of need will be after next season, and do you feel like anyone in the system is poised to be adequate replacements to keep this team in contention for several years?
A – One of the things I really like about the way Steve Yzerman has structured this team is that he seems to have left himself room to hold on to the core pieces. Contracts like Filppula’s, Carle’s, Garrison’s, Coburn’s, etc. are all either movable or coming off the books in short order. That will allow guys like Stamkos, Johnson, Palat, Kucherov, Hedman etc. to be kept at least for the next little while.
I still think the position of need moving forward will be on the blue line, especially as those aforementioned contracts start to get shipped out. Anthony DeAngelo and Slater Koekkoek both look very promising for Tampa, so I’m generally not too worried.
Q - rocko asks: Do you think Tampa will re-sign Stamkos or will he sign with Toronto as a free agent?
A – Tampa. Q – Chris asks: Regarding fantasy players for next season, say you get to choose five players from Tampa. What would be your order for those five picks?
A – I don’t know how the structure of your fantasy league works, but I’d probably go with Stamkos, Johnson, Kucherov, Palat, Hedman.
Q – Matt S. asks: What’s the asking price for Drouin?
A – I don’t think there is one.
Q – Elias asks: Which players do you think have to be moved sooner rather than later given the impending cap crunch? My prediction is Carle and/or Filppula.
A – I think you’re on the money with your predictions, and I’d probably add Garrison and Coburn to the list as well. Killorn could also be a cap casualty. Bishop won’t be around forever, either.
Q – Daniel Bamber asks: Where do you think Drouin fits in next year? Top Six/Bottom Six? AHL? Any possibility of him being traded?
A – I think they have to give him a long look with Stamkos.
Q – joe a asks: Do you think the NHL will expand and do you think Quebec and Vegas get teams? Thanks.
A – Yes, I think the NHL wants to get to 32 teams at some point. Quebec and Vegas seem like the logical candidates, too. The issue will be realignment, as the East already has two more teams than the West.
Q – steve asks: Why hasn’t Stamkos signed an extension yet?
A – Because the two sides haven’t started talking.
Q – JC10: Do you see any possibility of a defenseman trade in training camp? Say Carle to a team that has an early injury? Particularly with some salary retention possible.
A – I don’t see it, but I could be very wrong.
Q – Jackson asks: Still loving the blogs, Mike! Looking back on the 2013 draft now, do you think Yzerman wishes he would have picked Seth Jones?
A – I’m sure there’s a part of him that wonders what his blue line would have looked like in the playoffs with Jones on the ice, especially as Drouin sat in the press box. But, at the same time, drafting isn’t always about the short term. I think Yzerman likely still views Drouin as the kind of player who can help this team remain in contention for a long time. Give it another few years and we can reevaluate this question.
Q – Bread asks: Do you prefer white or brown bread?
A – Brown.
Q – HockeyParadise asks: At what point should we start worrying about the Stamkos extension negotiation talks (or lack thereof)?
A – I won’t be worried about the situation until the puck drops to start the season.
Q – Andrew asks: If Stamkos was to leave Tampa, would the team be able to sustain being in Tampa still?
A – I don’t think this needs to be answered.
Q – Brad asks: Will Valtteri Filppula take the No. 1 center job from Steven Stamkos as he did in the playoffs?
A – I don’t think so. The team is so much more balanced when it runs with Stamkos, Johnson, Filppula, and Boyle up the middle. The issue is finding Stamkos a playmaker/puck-carrier. Thankfully Drouin exists.
Q – Mike asks: I am hearing a lot of trade rumors pertaining to Jonathan Drouin, specifically to the St. Louis Blues. What do you think the Blues would have to give up to get Jonathan from the Bolts?
A – They’d have to give up too much. I don’t like coming up with random names.
Q – Jared asks: Hey Mike, Do you think the Lightning could run their defense similar to how Chicago did last year, splitting up Garrison and Coburn to keep Carle and Sustr from playing together?
A – They should have been doing something like this during the playoffs. Coburn isn’t exactly an all-star either, which makes things even more challenging. The most prudent thing might even be to split Hedman and Stralman. Both can carry a pairing.
Q – JoeK asks: Hey Mike, always a fan of your blogs. What kind of contract do you think Tyler Johnson will get/deserves when this one runs out?
A – If he repeats his 2014-15 performance during the upcoming campaign, he’s probably worth at least what Ryan O’Reilly got from Buffalo. It’s a scary thought.
Q – Colton asks: Do you think Adam Erne will make the roster?
A – I can’t see how he doesn’t end up in Syracuse.
Q – Stammerman asks: What are your expectations for Drouin entering the season?
A – 10-15G, 35-50P
Q – Stammerman asks: Who do you see riding the pine as the 13th forward and 7-8th defensemen to start the season?
A – Up front I think it could be Paquette, and on the blue line probably a rotation or Sustr/Nesterov/… and a call-up of some sort. I’m not entirely sure.
Q – jonpuck asks: Old hockey guy. Played. Coached kids and Juniors. Big Bolts fan for years. Yzerman inherited a mess and got it turned around. A high goal scorer like Stamkos doesn’t mean a Cup, a large contract for years will be another Vinny deal. It wouldn’t be good. Stamkos gives the puck away a lot and didn’t look like a star in the playoffs. There are a lot of real good kids around needing a chance. Offer Stamkos $7MM for three years or trade him to the Leafs with Carle for two first round picks, a good right-D, and a big left wing. Two firsts from Toronto would be near the top, and then you have money to keep the young guys you want.
A – Sorry… Wut?
Q – Stammerman asks: Now that Cooper has Boyle, Condra, Paquette, Brown, Filppula, and Callahan for the PK, do you think he will just play Johnson and Palat on the PP with Stamkos and Kucherov? I hate those two playing PK due to injury concerns.
A – They need to find some way to improve the penalty kill. I don’t mind having those guys involved if it means having a successful kill, but it hasn’t to this point. The system needs some serious work. I’m sort of with you, but for another reason. I’d rather see those guys have their energy and minutes conserved for offensive situations. They’re counted on to score. Like you note, TB has lots of PK options now. The rest is up to the coaching staff.
Q – Sean L asks: With the subtraction of Brenden Morrow, addition of Erik Condra, and the experience of a long and deep playoff run, do you think we will overcome the addition that other teams in our division and conference have made to improve in the regular season standings?
A – I certainly think this team has the potential to be the top team in the Atlantic. There’s not a whole lot of room for improvement in the standings for a team that was already right up near the top.
Q – Stammerman asks: Who is your breakout player this season? It doesn’t have to just be about points. It could also be a D stepping up, great energy guy, etc. For me I think it will be Paquette taking his defensive skills to another level after the way he played in the Final.
A – I have to go with Drouin.
Q – Of the guys who started the season last year on the opening roster (Nabokov, Brewer, Gudas, Connolly, Barberio, and Morrow), is there anyone who you think the Lightning will miss this year? Followup – if you could have kept one of those guys who would it be and who does he replace?
A - I don’t know that they’ll “miss… anyone, but I certainly think they could be better with Barberio and Connolly in the fold. I’d love to get Connolly back and take Callahan’s contract off the books.
Q – Steve asks: If the Lightning don’t get an extension done by the trade deadline do you think they deal him before potentially losing him for nothing?
A – I assume you’re talking about Stamkos? Yes, I think they deal him in that situation.
Q – Philly 5 asks: What are the chances people around the NHL recognize Steve Mason as a good goaltender? If seems every week last season someone was claiming he was not the answer for goaltending in Philadelphia.
A – Fantastic question. I wish I had the answer for you. He’s had a good run so far in Philly.
Q – Andrew in CO asks: Victor Hedman. What a stud. After his coming out party during the past two years, and becoming one of the best defensemen in the league, what is his next contract going to look like? And how in the world is this team going to keep under the cap in coming years? Trade Filppula’s $5MM? Bishop is Vasilevskiy looks ready enough? Also, what do you make of the Drouin speculation? I just can’t see them giving up on him so early.
A – Hedman’s next contract will be big, and rightfully so. Look topnotch defenseman who have signed deals recently and work from there. I hate throwing out random numbers when all I have to work with is my worthless guesses.
As for Drouin, I agree with you. I can’t see them moving on from him. Q – Steve Yzerman asks: 1. How will the Lightning fare next season with a reloaded conference and many teams making large acquisitions (PIT, MTL) and others hoping to rebound (CLB, etc.)?
2. I know this may be hypothetical, but has the trio of Johnson/Kucherov/Palat displaced Stamkos in on-ice importance? (i.e. should the Lightning consider them the first priority when it comes to re-signing Stamkos long-term next year?)
Thanks.
A – 1. I think most of the substantial improvement has been in the Metro Division, so I still like Tampa’s chances to be fine during the regular season. The playoff picture has certainly changed and become more daunting, though.
2. They were arguably more important last season, but I’m still not ready to suggest that a guy who put up 40+ goals in an “off year… should take a backseat to anyone.
Q – Todd asks: Will Drouin be traded or will he stay?
A – Stay.
Q – Todd asks: How many games will the Lightning win next season?
A – I have no idea. 50-plus?
Q – Jgrass asks: Stamkos is the biggest priority, but the year after Johnson, Palat, Drouin, Boyle, Hedman, Bishop, and Vasilevskiy all hit RFA/UFA status. With increases all around, it will be tough to keep them all under the cap. Who do you think will be kept long term and who will Yzerman have to let go? A – Bishop, Boyle, Filppula, Carle, Garrison, Coburn… and Callahan (wishful thinking on that one) are all probably expendable. The core guys (Triplets, Hedman, Stamkos, Vasilevskiy, Drouin) should be kept.
Q – CanadianThunder asks: Hey Mike just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to write your blogs. I really enjoy reading your work. My question for you is: If we were to trade Ben Bishop in the near future, what do you think the return would be? Do you even think we trade him? I know this all depends on Vasilevskiy’s development. Also was curious as to what you think Hedman will make when it comes to his next contract if he has another Norris-caliber year. Thanks for your time and I look forward to reading your point of view.
A – My gut tells me that Bishop will play out his contract. It’s a short-term deal intended to bridge the gap for Vasilevskiy. There’s no real sense in trading him, especially as the goaltender trade market is so unusual. I don’t think the team would be able to net much for him at this point in time.
You can check out my thoughts on Hedman in a previous answer.
Q – Peter asks: Will Tampa be any good this year?
A – Probably.
Q – Kyle asks: Do you think we drafted any gems this year? And if we wind up moving someone out of our crop of potential UFAs for next season, who will it be?
A – I wasn’t particularly thrilled with the draft class, but it’s so tough to predict with young guys. They could all be gems. Did anyone predict that Ondrej Palat would turn into…. Ondrej Palat?
I don’t think the team will be a seller at the trade deadline.
Q – jlauscher asks: Which rookies (if any) do you see making the Lightning this season or at least getting meaningful playing time? A - I don’t think there’s room for anyone unless the injury bug hits.
Q – Eric Gosin asks: Mine is a two-part question. Are you surprised that we haven’t heard anything regarding Stamkos’ extension? Secondly, if for some reason he doesn’t get signed, where are the likely destinations he could get traded to?
A – I’m not surprised. And I don’t see why any team would offer much for him if the general feeling is Tampa or Toronto. No sense in paying a premium for rental who probably isn’t stick around, as good as he might be. So it’s hard to predict where he could end up if no deal gets done.
Q – Stu Laake asks: As of this date, what do you see as the Lightning’s biggest weakness?
A – Special teams. They were so bad last year.
Q – Ryan asks: Do you feel it is the right decision to sign Stamkos long term and risk losing several young stars (Kuch, Hedman) in the next few years? Or would it be smartest to get high-end assets for him and keep the rest of the pieces in town for years to come?
Thank you. Always great reads. A – I don’t think signing Stamkos means Hedman and Kucherov are going anywhere. There are lots of sizable contracts that are coming off the books or that can be shipped away. Q – Ryan asks: In Tampa’s latest draft they took hardworking/character guys. The prospect cupboard seems kind of bare for skilled forwards, assuming Namestnikov/Drouin stick with the team and Erne projects more as a power forward. Do you think TB should try to focus on more skill next draft? Just as a contingency in case anything happens to our top-six in the coming years.
A – I always think a team should focus on drafting skill --- Click here for more on that.
Q – Brandon asks: Do you see Drouin having a breakout season? He seemed to have chemistry with Stamkos when they were on the ice together. Do you think Cooper was outcoached during the SCF?
A – Yes, I think Drouin will have a breakout season. No, I don’t think Cooper was outcoached. Unlike in previous series, Tampa matched up really well against Chicago. They were able to play Tampa Bay Lightning hockey. They found room to use their speed and skill. Don’t ask me how he was outcoached by Michel Therrien (!) but was able to keep up with Q. Some things don’t make even an ounce of sense in this world.
Q – Andrew Meder asks: Hey Mike, So the big question around my office is what’s the deal with the lack of motion on the Stamkos extension? All the buzz leads one to speculate that the Leafs are pondering making a run at him. Thoughts?
A – Well, as of earlier this week, the two sides hadn’t started talking yet. Once they do, we’ll have a better idea of where things are at. I don’t think there’s any doubt about Toronto’s desire to take a run at Stamkos. Then again, there are 29 teams in the league that would love to do the same thing.
Michael Stuart has been the Tampa Bay Lightning writer for HockeyBuzz since 2012. Visit his archive to read more or follow him on Twitter.