My friend's brother knows a guy whose wife's cousin is a real estate agent.

Stamkos, his wife and two kids were in Toronto last weekend looking at houses to buy - they needed something in the suburbs with a backyard big enough for their unicorn.

Sorry, TB fans - sucks to be you.

Go Leafs go!
- Atomic Wedgie

Either way within 3 years Tampa is going to have to make some tough decisions on who to keep, walk, trade, etc. This may be their last season to go for it with
Stamkos, Killorn, Kucherov needing raises after next season and then
Johnson, Palat, Boyle, Drouin the season after.

AND THEN Hedman the follow season.

Either way within 3 years Tampa is going to have to make some tough decisions on who to keep, walk, trade, etc. This may be their last season to go for it with
Stamkos, Killorn, Kucherov needing raises after next season and then
Johnson, Palat, Boyle, Drouin the season after.

AND THEN Hedman the follow season.
- Danformo

That's why Stamkos going now is a better idea. However Im in minority there.

Observation from the other side of the country, but Kopitar hasn't resigned with the Kings yet either. To be fair, there hasn't been any rumors about him playing for another team, but from what I can tell nobody seems concerned he may leave. Rumored his new contract will be minimum 10 million per.

That's why Stamkos going now is a better idea. However Im in minority there.
- Artyukhin76

I understand that you guys have a ton of young offensive talent outside Stamkos, but not signing him would be a step backwards imo. For as good as Johnson, Palat, Drouin, Kucherov, etc. are, Stamkos is simply on another level from all of them. He IS the Lightning identity. When I think Tampa Bay Lightning playstyle, I think Stamkos. The goal totals this guy has put up is ridiculous and nobody in your system can replace that. Nobody in the league can replace that besides Ovechkin.

Saying you guys will still be as good without Stamkos because of your young talent is like Caps fans saying they'll be fine without Ovechkin because they still have Backstrom, Kuznetsov, and Burakovsky.

I understand that you guys have a ton of young offensive talent outside Stamkos, but not signing him would be a step backwards imo. For as good as Johnson, Palat, Drouin, Kucherov, etc. are, Stamkos is simply on another level from all of them. He IS the Lightning identity. When I think Tampa Bay Lightning playstyle, I think Stamkos. The goal totals this guy has put up is ridiculous and nobody in your system can replace that. Nobody in the league can replace that besides Ovechkin.

Saying you guys will still be as good without Stamkos because of your young talent is like Caps fans saying they'll be fine without Ovechkin because they still have Backstrom, Kuznetsov, and Burakovsky.
- rangerdanger94

Ovechkin sucks.

I understand that you guys have a ton of young offensive talent outside Stamkos, but not signing him would be a step backwards imo. For as good as Johnson, Palat, Drouin, Kucherov, etc. are, Stamkos is simply on another level from all of them. He IS the Lightning identity. When I think Tampa Bay Lightning playstyle, I think Stamkos. The goal totals this guy has put up is ridiculous and nobody in your system can replace that. Nobody in the league can replace that besides Ovechkin.

Saying you guys will still be as good without Stamkos because of your young talent is like Caps fans saying they'll be fine without Ovechkin because they still have Backstrom, Kuznetsov, and Burakovsky.
- rangerdanger94

I actually agree with Rangerdanger... poops going to hell . I am simply amazed at all the Bolts fans that think Stamkos is easily replaceable. He is not, on top of being the face of the franchise and his offensive acumen I have said numerous times that he is the fail safe for triplets line that everything thinks can take over. Without him that line never exists and it would have to be broken up to get scoring depth, with Stamkos there no need to break it up he is a scoring machine on his own. If Stamkos doesn't want to be here I understand he should leave and the Lightning would do what they can to replace his production which would be difficult but if he wants to stay you have to sign him, he is on another level and those who say he is not don't want to admit it. If he signs the Lightning will still be able to keep most of their young core players in the next few years, they might lose 1 or 2 but it won't be a huge mass exodus of young guys.

I actually agree with Rangerdanger... poops going to hell . I am simply amazed at all the Bolts fans that think Stamkos is easily replaceable. He is not, on top of being the face of the franchise and his offensive acumen I have said numerous times that he is the fail safe for triplets line that everything thinks can take over. Without him that line never exists and it would have to be broken up to get scoring depth, with Stamkos there no need to break it up he is a scoring machine on his own. If Stamkos doesn't want to be here I understand he should leave and the Lightning would do what they can to replace his production which would be difficult but if he wants to stay you have to sign him, he is on another level and those who say he is not don't want to admit it. If he signs the Lightning will still be able to keep most of their young core players in the next few years, they might lose 1 or 2 but it won't be a huge mass exodus of young guys.
- stammerman

I never said he was easily replaceable, but if you pay him that much money where is the rest of the offense going to come from? Have to look at the big picture. Will we be a better team by keeping Stamkos and quite possibly losing one of the best lines in hockey? The triplets line won't come again. Most likely we're going to have to sacrifice Filppula and Killorn just to keep Stamkos. Down the road we're going to have to sacrifice even more. So you tell me if it's worth it to look like the late 90s early 2000s Toronto Maple Leafs with Mats Sundin and nobody else?

On a completely different topic, Michael, what the (frank) happened to the Mariners?

On a completely different topic, Michael, what the (frank) happened to the Mariners?
- Artyukhin76

I actually agree with Rangerdanger... poops going to hell . I am simply amazed at all the Bolts fans that think Stamkos is easily replaceable. He is not, on top of being the face of the franchise and his offensive acumen I have said numerous times that he is the fail safe for triplets line that everything thinks can take over. Without him that line never exists and it would have to be broken up to get scoring depth, with Stamkos there no need to break it up he is a scoring machine on his own. If Stamkos doesn't want to be here I understand he should leave and the Lightning would do what they can to replace his production which would be difficult but if he wants to stay you have to sign him, he is on another level and those who say he is not don't want to admit it. If he signs the Lightning will still be able to keep most of their young core players in the next few years, they might lose 1 or 2 but it won't be a huge mass exodus of young guys.
- stammerman

I tend to agree.

Trade Callahan after this season. Solves a lot of issues if you could.

I tend to agree.
- Michael_Stuart

To NO ONES shock I dissagree. To fit Stamkos and Kucherov in, Flippula and Killorn will have to go. The following year Palat or Johnson will (most likely Palat). To me, Stamkos is the key to keeping most of this team together or tearing it apart.

Trade Callahan after this season. Solves a lot of issues if you could.
- Danformo

Not an option. A hard to move contract with a no trade clause.

Either way within 3 years Tampa is going to have to make some tough decisions on who to keep, walk, trade, etc. This may be their last season to go for it with
Stamkos, Killorn, Kucherov needing raises after next season and then
Johnson, Palat, Boyle, Drouin the season after.

AND THEN Hedman the follow season.
- Danformo

I wish the Leafs had to make tough decisions like that.

I never said he was easily replaceable, but if you pay him that much money where is the rest of the offense going to come from? Have to look at the big picture. Will we be a better team by keeping Stamkos and quite possibly losing one of the best lines in hockey? The triplets line won't come again. Most likely we're going to have to sacrifice Filppula and Killorn just to keep Stamkos. Down the road we're going to have to sacrifice even more. So you tell me if it's worth it to look like the late 90s early 2000s Toronto Maple Leafs with Mats Sundin and nobody else?
- Artyukhin76

There is a reason why superstars are rarely traded....almost impossible to get equal value.... NYI are not giving you Tavares, PITT is not giving you Malkin or Crosby et... Tampa is clearly the best team in the east going into the season.... Go for the cup!!!! Teams like NYI,WASH and PITT are not far behind!

I wish the Leafs had to make tough decisions like that.
- Atomic Wedgie

Step 1: Get a young, up and coming GM with fresh ideas.

Oh, wait!

Its way too early to be worried.

I would get a tiny bit nervous if he isn't signed to start the regular season, but I wouldn't actually be worried unless he isn't signed by the new year.

It's just good negotiating to wait until the season has started. Anything going into the new year is straight up savage towards the organization and suggests something isn't right.

To NO ONES shock I dissagree. To fit Stamkos and Kucherov in, Flippula and Killorn will have to go. The following year Palat or Johnson will (most likely Palat). To me, Stamkos is the key to keeping most of this team together or tearing it apart.
- Artyukhin76

Not really I think we only lose Killorn. We trade carle or buy him out! We don't resign coburn. Stamkos gets 10.5 and kucherov gets 4.5. Then when we need to resign palat and Johnson flipper gets bought out or moved. By then they also trade garrison. Yzerman might lose guys but he might be able to keep pretty much everyone.

Running a lineup in two years with:

JVR - Stamkos - Marner
Matthews - Nylander - Kapanen

Is Ok with me!

Running a lineup in two years with:

JVR - Stamkos - Marner
Matthews - Nylander - Kapanen

Is Ok with me!
- steve362

Your defense and goaltending is still gonna suck

To NO ONES shock I dissagree. To fit Stamkos and Kucherov in, Flippula and Killorn will have to go. The following year Palat or Johnson will (most likely Palat). To me, Stamkos is the key to keeping most of this team together or tearing it apart.
- Artyukhin76

Palat stays before Johnson if it comes down to that as he is the better player in my opinion, what the saying he stirs the drink of that line - its obvious to me. But its not as dire as you make it, I think they can keep most of the young core including the triplets if they make the right moves. And sorry I will take Stamkos over Johnson any day of the week so I would resign Stamkos before Johnson. And I say that knowing that I love Johnson and the way he plays.

Your defense and goaltending is still gonna suck
- rangerdanger94

I actually think our defense pool is promising. Reilly and Gardiner are only getting better, I think Finn should have a better year of development in the AHL, Percy and Harrington are good promising prospects and I really think we did well grabbing Dermott at the draft. Dermott looked great in the WJ camp. Goaltending could be an issue however.

Palat stays before Johnson if it comes down to that as he is the better player in my opinion, what the saying he stirs the drink of that line - its obvious to me. But its not as dire as you make it, I think they can keep most of the young core including the triplets if they make the right moves. And sorry I will take Stamkos over Johnson any day of the week so I would resign Stamkos before Johnson. And I say that knowing that I love Johnson and the way he plays.
- stammerman

We differ on that, to me Johnson is better AND we are heavier on LW. Drouin, Palat Killorn and Erne.

Not really I think we only lose Killorn. We trade carle or buy him out! We don't resign coburn. Stamkos gets 10.5 and kucherov gets 4.5. Then when we need to resign palat and Johnson flipper gets bought out or moved. By then they also trade garrison. Yzerman might lose guys but he might be able to keep pretty much everyone.
- todd1a

What is it like living in a fantasy world, asking for a friend....

Johnson and Palat are going to get HUGE raises. 5+ each.... AT LEAST!

So this it your top 6

Drouin 3.194 Stamkos 10.5 Callahan 5.8
Palat 5 Johnson 5 Kucherov 4.5 (dreaming!!!!)

33.994 for 6 players!?!?!?!?! That almost half the cap.