Michael Stuart: Stamkos is Staying Put

I would laugh my ass off if JBB somehow convinces the RFAs to take small 1 year deals this year to stay in Tampa considering the season looks to be shortened and 28% going to escrow to pass the buck to the next year and give him more time to make deals for the future. LeBlanc did it last year for San Jose. Not sure it feasible but it is plausible.

As for the Stamkos stuff, everyone knew he wasn't going to waive. I am sure they did a quick ask like they did with probably every player on the team as that makes sense from a business standpoint.

Even if he could convince all 3 to take a one year 1 million deal, Tampa would still be over the cap with a 21 man roster. Sure that would mean he only had to drop someone like Coburn to make it fit but would still likely cost at least a 2nd rounder to do it. The problem is i can't see Sergachev or Cirelli signing for only 1 mil each when they know 30% of that they won't even take home right off the bat. Also given the uncertain financial situation the league is in, can the GM really promise them to make it up to them on the next contract or that he will be able to work out deals to make the cap room by then. It's not like Tampa has a couple of high priced UFAs coming off the book next off-season either so they could find themselves in the same situation next summer/off-season.

Stamkos is a stud!

I would laugh my ass off if JBB somehow convinces the RFAs to take small 1 year deals this year to stay in Tampa considering the season looks to be shortened and 28% going to escrow to pass the buck to the next year and give him more time to make deals for the future. LeBlanc did it last year for San Jose. Not sure it feasible but it is plausible.

As for the Stamkos stuff, everyone knew he wasn't going to waive. I am sure they did a quick ask like they did with probably every player on the team as that makes sense from a business standpoint.
- stammerman

but they have 2.85 mil in cap space to sign Sergachev, Cirelli and Cernak

how small do you think these guys are willing to play for?

the smartest thing for Tampa to do is to trade Sergachev and Cirelli for large packages of picks and young prospects to replenish the system

their ridiculous habit of throwing around NTC's like candy has come back to haunt them

but they have 2.85 mil in cap space to sign Sergachev, Cirelli and Cernak

how small do you think these guys are willing to play for?

the smartest thing for Tampa to do is to trade Sergachev and Cirelli for large packages of picks and young prospects to replenish the system

their ridiculous habit of throwing around NTC's like candy has come back to haunt them
- jimbro83

How many teams have the cap space to take on what Cirelli or Sergachev are going to get on their next deals without having to move cap themselves?

Why would any team offer up a lot for either Cirelli or Sergachev in a trade based on what I said above, combined with Tampa's dire situation?

Probably only two teams ...

LAK and DET. So the question really is would either of them put a package together for Cirelli or Sergachev and they'd probably have to be willing to grab a Killorn type too.

Stamkos is a stud!
- bruceflyers

Yes he is but he is also aging and injury prone.

How many teams have the cap space to take on what Cirelli or Sergachev are going to get on their next deals without having to move cap themselves?

Why would any team offer up a lot for either Cirelli or Sergachev in a trade based on what I said above, combined with Tampa's dire situation?
- kingcong39

I think the market would be extremely hot and heavy if Tampa put either one of those guy's on the market

I think with the junior leagues in flux right now and the 2021 draft a little unknown at this point, team's would certainly be willing to include their 2021 first rounder as part of a larger package to get either one of those guys

I would laugh my ass off if JBB somehow convinces the RFAs to take small 1 year deals this year to stay in Tampa considering the season looks to be shortened and 28% going to escrow to pass the buck to the next year and give him more time to make deals for the future. LeBlanc did it last year for San Jose. Not sure it feasible but it is plausible.

As for the Stamkos stuff, everyone knew he wasn't going to waive. I am sure they did a quick ask like they did with probably every player on the team as that makes sense from a business standpoint.
- stammerman

How stupid it would be for the players. NHL depends on butts in the seats, fans provide 60% of the nhl revenues. I’m a player I’m getting all I can. No favours. now those team friendly deals are coming back to bite the team and the player(s) that get moved.

I think the market would be extremely hot and heavy if Tampa put either one of those guy's on the market

I think with the junior leagues in flux right now and the 2021 draft a little unknown at this point, team's would certainly be willing to include their 2021 first rounder as part of a larger package to get either one of those guys
- jimbro83

How much are Cirelli and Sergachev going to each get on their next deals? $5M per? $6M per? More?

How many teams have the cap space to bring that player on, without having to make additional roster moves?

I would think all of the above would play a big factor in the quality of return Tampa may receive in a trade.

After completely demoralizing Johnson by waiving him. Will he agree to be traded now? Or will he dig in his heels and tell them to find another way? I think the later and more power to him!

but they have 2.85 mil in cap space to sign Sergachev, Cirelli and Cernak

how small do you think these guys are willing to play for?

the smartest thing for Tampa to do is to trade Sergachev and Cirelli for large packages of picks and young prospects to replenish the system

their ridiculous habit of throwing around NTC's like candy has come back to haunt them

All the NTC except for Yanni Gourde came from the Yzerman... It will be interesting to see what happens in Detroit with his style. I hope JBB learned a lesson going forward.

Cirelli and Sergachev are their future, Sergachev just turned 22 and Cirelli is 23. You don't move those players for futures, plus in this market I don't think the Lightning would get what they deserve for players of this caliber.

I was just making a point that with this year looking horribly bad with 28% escrow a shortened season RFAs are going have give up some just like the UFAs did this season on the market. All of them signing cheap 1 year deals is not feasible which I said in the post.

But I could see the Lightning trying to get one of them to do something like LeBlanc to work around their problem. With Seattle entering the league and the US TV rights about to go to the highest bidder and I would assume business as normal for the 21-22 season passing the buck down a year is a plausible action.

After completely demoralizing Johnson by waiving him. Will he agree to be traded now? Or will he dig in his heels and tell them to find another way? I think the later and more power to him!
- HenryHockey

Local beat writers in Tampa have already said Johnson and his camp has expanded his NTC list even more and has told the Lightning that if any team is interested to let him and his agent know to see if a deal can be done.

Maybe Stevie is aiming for one of your UFA's now. Cirelli or Cernak coupled with either Killorn, Johnson or Palat. Killorn seems more likely now.

Local beat writers in Tampa have already said Johnson and his camp has expanded his NTC list even more and has told the Lightning that if any team is interested to let him and his agent know to see if a deal can be done.
- stammerman

Ok, I stand corrected, thanks. I imagine he wants to go to a contender, and probably not a Canadian team.

All the NTC except for Yanni Gourde came from the Yzerman... It will be interesting to see what happens in Detroit with his style. I hope JBB learned a lesson going forward.

Cirelli and Sergachev are their future, Sergachev just turned 22 and Cirelli is 23. You don't move those players for futures, plus in this market I don't think the Lightning would get what they deserve for players of this caliber.

I was just making a point that with this year looking horribly bad with 28% escrow a shortened season RFAs are going have give up some just like the UFAs did this season on the market. All of them signing cheap 1 year deals is not feasible which I said in the post.

But I could see the Lightning trying to get one of them to do something like LeBlanc to work around their problem. With Seattle entering the league and the US TV rights about to go to the highest bidder and I would assume business as normal for the 21-22 season passing the buck down a year is a plausible action.
- stammerman

The cap limit is remaining the same for the 21-22 season and only going up $1M for the 22-23 season.

There are several inside the NHL who think the climate for players next offseason will be even worse than it was this offseason.

How much are Cirelli and Sergachev going to each get on their next deals? $5M per? $6M per? More?

How many teams have the cap space to bring that player on, without having to make additional roster moves?

I would think all of the above would play a big factor in the quality of return Tampa may receive in a trade.

Good answer above in response to your original post.
Detroit could handle say Sergachev and Cernak, while The Devils could take on both Sergachev and Cirelli...
All depending on Term and AAV of course.

Limited yes, not impossible though...
Probably about the same as the Sabres trying to unload one of Risto, Montour or Miller.

Probably only two teams ...

LAK and DET. So the question really is would either of them put a package together for Cirelli or Sergachev and they'd probably have to be willing to grab a Killorn type too.
- The Law

NJD and OTT, too.

LAK would take either RFA I suspect. I'd prefer LAK take Cirelli despite the state of its defensive prospect pool. I'm guessing the RFA rights of either player would cost Killorn and Colburn...assuming both waive! There would also likely be a pick that went to TBL for each player and I have no idea how high that pick would be under the circumstances.

LAK, DET, OTT, NJD, and other teams with space would really benefit from any trade to the other teams with space. Cap space is ever-shrinking real estate and new space isn't being produced by significant salary cap raises in the next few years. While there is an impulse for fans of the teams to want their club to chase these types of deals, there is a benefit to patience.

If ownership loses a bunch of money this season the cap next year won't matter. Teams will have self imposed caps near the salary floor to stem the losses

Honestly, as good as Stamer is, the Lightning proved they can win without him in the lineup. Trading him wouldn't be the worst idea. Imagine the haul they would receive in that deal?
But, if he refuses to waive, what can you do?
GM's get handcuffed by long expensive deals and NTC, NMC and LNMC's all the time, yet they continue to give them out like candy corn.

but they have 2.85 mil in cap space to sign Sergachev, Cirelli and Cernak

how small do you think these guys are willing to play for?

the smartest thing for Tampa to do is to trade Sergachev and Cirelli for large packages of picks and young prospects to replenish the system

their ridiculous habit of throwing around NTC's like candy has come back to haunt them
- jimbro83

This was SOP when Chia-Pet was running the Bruins. 3rd-line players had NTCs.
It was brutal.

Probably only two teams ...

LAK and DET. So the question really is would either of them put a package together for Cirelli or Sergachev and they'd probably have to be willing to grab a Killorn type too.
- The Law

The Kings could certainly use a high quality D-Man and have lots of picks and prospects on the farm and have lot's of cap space.

The Kings could certainly use a high quality D-Man and have lots of picks and prospects on the farm and have lot's of cap space.
- KingsFan67

Maybe LA can get Cernak back. Take him and Killorn off their hands for a 3rd.

Sergachev for sure and likely Cirelli as well - neither are going anywhere for picks and prospects. They are the next crop to replenish the aging core. They are the types of players you hope to get when you land a pick or prospect in a deal. A bird in hand applies here.

We are still months away from a likely return to play, so there's time for pieces to fall into place. And then there are always Toronto-style cap management techniques - carrying fewer NHL contracts and having a revolving door of callups (assuming the AHL plays at all), LTIR, etc.