Stamkos controls his own destiny... as was stated earlier, why would he accept a trade to a state that may have income tax when he is living the dream in Florida? Great mansion, great weather, great income AND a team loaded with talent! It doesn't make sense and it wont happen. Cirelli will probably be the odd man out. Even though he's young and a great player there just wont be the room to sign him.

Stamkos controls his own destiny... as was stated earlier, why would he accept a trade to a state that may have income tax when he is living the dream in Florida? Great mansion, great weather, great income AND a team loaded with talent! It doesn't make sense and it wont happen. Cirelli will probably be the odd man out. Even though he's young and a great player there just wont be the room to sign him.
- mnhockeyguy

Cirelli finished 4th overall in Selke voting and received the 3rd most first place votes. He's well-regarded as a shutdown forward. Sergachev and Cirelli are going nowhere.

who is this guy?

IF Staal does opt to retire or asks for a trade to another NHL club, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams will have to find himself another second line center. When Staal agrees to report to Buffalo, the Sabres will still need to surround Jack Eichel with more veteran center depth. Steven Stamkos would fit that bill perfectly. Like Staal, Stamkos is a prolific scorer and can also play the wing.
The Sabres have the necessary trade currency-- talented prospects, premium draft choices, cost-controlled players--and the requisite salary cap space to absorb the four remaining years on Stamkos' contract. The Lightining would have to agree to eat a portion of the balance of the Stamkos contract.

Imagine a world where Ralph Kreuger can ice a lineup that boasts of a center battalion of Jack Eichel, Eric Staal, Steven Stamkos, and superb rookie Dylan Cozens, who can ease himself into the NHL while playing a reduced responsibility while playing on the wing.

At what cost Stamkos for the Sabres?

Kevyn Adams would likely have to trade 2017 eighth overall pick Casey Mittlestadt and 2021 second round draft choice.

What a (frank)ing mess. Tampa has to trade him, and they will have to eat salary for the great return of Mittlestadt and a 2nd round pick. The Sabres will trade for him because Staal won't report, but once they do trade for him, Staal will magically report.

who is this guy?
- Blackstrom2

Garf.

As much as I would LOVE to see Stamkos come to the Rangers, I have to admit that Buffalo is less than 2 hours drive from where he was born and still has family. Sabres might actually have a shot at getting him to waive his clause if he wants to "go home".

Where to begin?

You know TB isn't playing itself in the Final, right?

Stamkos took less money based on the tax break. He isn't moving.

If he did allow a trade - and he will not - TB would get considerably less than they would normally. Trying to negotiate when everybody knows you have to move something will do that. It would be like going to school without pants and having to negotiate a deal for someone's gym shorts...and they all HATE you.

Going to a team to play second fiddle to a petulant child? Negatory.

Eichel is The Man in Buffalo. Malkin to Seattle to be The Man. E71
- gergeswillems

Not gonna lie, I laughed pretty hard at E71. I'm picking up what you're putting down

Where to begin?

You know TB isn't playing itself in the Final, right?

Stamkos took less money based on the tax break. He isn't moving.

If he did allow a trade - and he will not - TB would get considerably less than they would normally. Trying to negotiate when everybody knows you have to move something will do that. It would be like going to school without pants and having to negotiate a deal for someone's gym shorts...and they all HATE you.

Going to a team to play second fiddle to a petulant child? Negatory.
- sokosteve

So he's going to the Leafs then.

Dallas in six

So he's going to the Leafs then.
- Heywood Jablome

Only if we can add 3 million a season to his contract.

Point the Conn Smythe? *laughs in Finnish

Where to begin?

You know TB isn't playing itself in the Final, right?

Stamkos took less money based on the tax break. He isn't moving.

If he did allow a trade - and he will not - TB would get considerably less than they would normally. Trying to negotiate when everybody knows you have to move something will do that. It would be like going to school without pants and having to negotiate a deal for someone's gym shorts...and they all HATE you.

Going to a team to play second fiddle to a petulant child? Negatory.
- sokosteve

Where to begin?

You know TB isn't playing itself in the Final, right?

Stamkos took less money based on the tax break. He isn't moving.

If he did allow a trade - and he will not - TB would get considerably less than they would normally. Trying to negotiate when everybody knows you have to move something will do that. It would be like going to school without pants and having to negotiate a deal for someone's gym shorts...and they all HATE you.

Going to a team to play second fiddle to a petulant child? Negatory.

There is some truth here. Stamkos took a lesser deal because of the tax situation and other factors. He is not going to greenlight any trade.

Killorn has the least movement protection of the pool of forwards who might find themselves on the wrong side of the cap. His stock is high, so it makes sense to cut bait on him. He's probably gone.

One of Johnson or Gourde also needs to go, but they have movement protection, so....

Shattenkirk is coming off the books and so is Schenn. Foote is ready to step in with a small caphit.

Maroon, Bogosian, Rutta, Joseph, and Volkov are coming off the books and are easily replaced.

Tampa's cap situation is overhyped and it's a good problem to have. Ultimately some moves will be made, but the core will remain.

Any talk of trading Stamkos is click-bait.

Any talk of offersheets to Cirelli and Sergachev are also overrated. Offer sheets don't mean jack if the player won't sign, and I doubt either one of them would sign.

There is some truth here. Stamkos took a lesser deal because of the tax situation and other factors. He is not going to greenlight any trade.

Killorn has the least movement protection of the pool of forwards who might find themselves on the wrong side of the cap. His stock is high, so it makes sense to cut bait on him. He's probably gone.

One of Johnson or Gourde also needs to go, but they have movement protection, so....

Shattenkirk is coming off the books and so is Schenn. Foote is ready to step in with a small caphit.

Maroon, Bogosian, Rutta, Joseph, and Volkov are coming off the books and are easily replaced.

Tampa's cap situation is overhyped and it's a good problem to have. Ultimately some moves will be made, but the core will remain.

Any talk of trading Stamkos is click-bait.

Any talk of offersheets to Cirelli and Sergachev are also overrated. Offer sheets don't mean jack if the player won't sign, and I doubt either one of them would sign.
- GalacticStone

All GM's will be eager to deal with TB on which players they eject and I am hoping Stevie Y has the inside track!!!

All GM's will be eager to deal with TB on which players they eject and I am hoping Stevie Y has the inside track!!!
- HenryHockey

Can they take Adam Erne back? 🤮

Can they take Adam Erne back? 🤮
- gergeswillems

LOL... was surprised Yzerman took him for a fourth.

Not much to say about this article to be honest, click bait no doubt. There is no understanding of the Lightning operations, Stamkos or the local market of Tampa and how it relates to the team.

Where to start with this senseless dribble. FULL NMC!!!! He’s not leaving Tampa!!! And they’re not buying him out. His contract is mostly bonuses and there’s no cap savings by buying him out. Stamkos was 2nd on team in scoring this year. Sure Pointe was having a nice playoff season before he got hurt( he’s very small)but, he still is 2c.
As far as “backing up the Brinks truck” for Cirelli. He’s a rfa with NO arb rights. Same for Sergachev. Unless they sign offer sheets, Tampa can work our short term deals for now. They’re cost controlled for a few years.

Not much to say about this article to be honest, click bait no doubt. There is no understanding of the Lightning operations, Stamkos or the local market of Tampa and how it relates to the team.
- stammerman

Wait a second: are you staying that TBL's 10+ year, 1+ PPG center (1.15 PPG since the contract extension was signed) can't be had for THIS haul!??!?

At what cost Stamkos for the Sabres?


Kevyn Adams would likely have to trade forward Casey Mittlestadt (2017 eighth overall pick) , prospect defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and the 2021 second round draft choice.

Wait a second: are you staying that TBL's 10+ year, 1+ PPG center (1.15 PPG since the contract extension was signed) can't be had for THIS haul!??!?
- Only_A_Ladd

Wowza

Wait a second: are you staying that TBL's 10+ year, 1+ PPG center (1.15 PPG since the contract extension was signed) can't be had for THIS haul!??!?
- Only_A_Ladd

That package might get you Johnson.

Wowza
- Cptmjl

Boggles the mind.

Wait a second: are you staying that TBL's 10+ year, 1+ PPG center (1.15 PPG since the contract extension was signed) can't be had for THIS haul!??!?
- Only_A_Ladd

lol

That package might get you Johnson.
- GalacticStone

Johnson SEEMS like a cap dump and he wouldn't cost that much.

*"Much" being a second.