If this was the Maple Leafs team of the past, I’ll be the first to tell you there isn’t a chance that Steven Stamkos would have any desire to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Thankfully for us fans, that’s not the case.
Stamkos would be an instant fan favorite, coach favorite and his net worth would quickly escalate with endorsement deals and a big salary for seven more seasons. Amazingly enough, that’s when coach Mike Babcock’s contract ends. This seven year window I can envision the glory that will come with it, and I’ve never been as optimistic about the Maple Leafs organization as a whole. If I can sense it, I’m sure number 91 will when the 2015/16 season ends.
If Tampa wins the cup, will that change Stamkos vision of the future? That there is a question I have absolutely no clue how to answer and it’s one hundred percent speculation at this point. Tampa still has to beat Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference Finals, and then win the Stanley Cup Finals.
Stamkos on the other hand is still recovering from his blood clot and hasn’t played a single game in these 2015/16 playoffs. Quite impressive that Tampa has got as far as they have without their franchise center. Could that be a sign for Tampa that they are able to move forward without Steven? There is a chance Stammer plays in the Eastern Finals, and will certainly bring another scoring threat to the table for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Stamkos is the type of person who will bring a vast amount of much needed leadership to the Maple Leafs. At this point they have a few veterans but none of which are superstars who know what it takes to win a Stanley Cup. Stammer has the work ethic of a war animal and will certainly help pave the way for the Leafs number one pick Auston Matthews (assuming they pick him). It’s important that Matthews learns the way of the NHL lifestyle on and off the ice. Having one of the best, if not the best coach in Babcock is a huge bonus for Matthews, which is why adding in a want-to-win leader like Stamkos to the mix would be absolutely huge going forward for the Leafs now, and of the future.
Unfortuntely Babcock was unable to coach Stamkos at the Olympics, but with Mike’s hockey knowledge and amount of hockey that he has seen, he knows exactly what Stamkos brings to the table and you can be sure he will be there to shake Steven’s hand on July first as they begin to discuss his future plans in the NHL.
The salary of Stamkos is going to be pricy, it may cost the Leafs in the neighborhood of ten million a year, but at the end of the day you are adding a legit top line player, one who can score you 50 goals in a season. Look at most of the powerhouse teams, they have two or three players making 8-10 million on their roster and they are in what we call “cap hell…. Personally, I’m ok with that if we are contending for the cup each season.
Furthermore, the salary cap goes up every year. On average it goes up approximately 7% per season (2005-2015), but with the Canadian dollar taking a hit, I assume it won’t be as high as 7. Half it at 3.5% just to get an idea and you can see that over the 7 years (roughly 20 million); Stamkos’ salary won’t affect the Leafs in a negative way. Even more so because he will be able to show the youngsters how to mature into professional NHL players and his presence would likely attract other UFA’s to join the new-look Maple Leafs.
Steven Stamkos joining the Leafs is nothing but a win-win for all party’s included.
A player of Stamkos’ ilk rarely comes around, especially at age 26. The timing is impeccable as the Leafs are finally on track and number 91 would only be 33 after the seven years are up. The sniper and former first-overall pick would be vital to Toronto’s success as he would be a key piece as Shanaplan would enter another phase in the rebuilding process. So far Shanny has done an exceptional job, and I wouldn’t expect him and Babcock to come up short when pursuing the Leafs next Captain in Steven Stamkos.
Matthews:
A quick hit here on Matthews as he had a chance to speak with Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello. It was a quick meet and greet for the projected first overall pick. Matthews mentioned “it would be special to be chosen by the Maple Leafs….
“It’s the Toronto Maple Leafs, hockey mecca of the world, they have a world-class coach in Mike Babcock. If that were to happen it would be pretty special….
With four points in three games Matthews leads a weaker team USA in points at the IIHF World Championships.
With Stamkos potentially hitting UFA status come July first, the Leafs having first pick in the draft, Marner lighting up the OHL playoffs like he is and the Marlies cruising along in the AHL playoffs; things haven’t looked so glorious in Leafs Nation ever before!
Enjoy tonight’s game seven as the Blues and Stars battle it out, and tomorrow another game seven as the Predators and Sharks faceoff.
Thanks for reading, enjoy the rest of your hump day.