The latest on Steven Stamkos, plus an update on some notable unsigned restricted free agents.
Stamkos still unsigned as training camp nears.
As Steven Stamkos remains unsigned, rumors about his future with the Lightning are growing.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman recently told the Tampa Tribune there was nothing new regarding the contract status of captain Steven Stamkos, who is eligible next summer for UFA status. In June, Yzerman claimed re-signing Stamkos was a top priority but there seems to be no progress yet in negotiations as both sides remain tight-lipped on the matter.
Friedman claims Stamkos’ role could be an issue, as he prefers to play center but it appears that the Bolts want him to play on the wing. Another is the Lightning’s long-term plans, as Ben Bishop, Victor Hedman, Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat will need new contracts over the next couple of seasons.
Friedman also claims there was speculation a couple of weeks ago suggesting Stamkos’ name appeared in trade talks before the 2015 NHL Draft, though they didn’t get far. Some say teams called to look into Stamkos’ status, while some claim the Lightning were checking his market value. It’s suspected the Buffalo Sabres could’ve been among those making inquiries. Friedman claims he’s heard nothing to indicate the Toronto Maple Leafs contacted the Bolts.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yep, you know it’s September and training camp is right around the corner when the status of the top player in next summer’s UFA market becomes the subject of trade speculation. This was inevitable. The longer Stamkos remains unsigned, the more his future with the Lightning gets brought into question. I believe the Lightning will re-sign Stamkos, but I can acknowledge that doing so makes things difficult cap-wise for the Bolts.
If Stamkos is re-signed, it will cost around $10.5 million annually on a long-term deal. Sorry, Lightning fans, no hometown discount here. That means a salary could be shed (Valtteri Filppula? Matt Carle?) and/or a player due for free agency either traded or allowed to depart via the UFA market (Ben Bishop? Brian Boyle?). I don’t believe Stamkos is interested in moving to a team in the midst of a significant rebuild (Sorry, Sabres and Leafs fans). Maybe I’ll be proven wrong about this, but from a career standpoint, it just doesn’t make sense for him to go from a Cup contender to a team which, at best, could be several years away from that status, just because it’s in or near his hometown.
The whole “he wants to come home” angle raised by some Leafs fans is overblown. It puts me in mind of all the nonsensical stuff about a Quebec-born star wanting to sign with the Montreal Canadiens. In most cases, free-agent superstars of Stamkos’ caliber sign with competitive teams that can afford to pay them top dollar. Many also prefer quieter markets where they won’t be in a media fishbowl. That’s why there’s been no stampede of Canadian-born superstars rushing to Canadian markets via free agency.
List of notable unsigned RFAs.
CBS SPORTS/NBC SPORTS: both published updated lists of notable restricted free agents still unsigned as training camp nears. Topping it are Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau, New York Islanders winger Brock Nelson, Chicago Blackhawks center Marcus Kruger and Calgary Flames winger Micheal Ferland.
Huberdeau and the Panthers have reportedly agreed on term and are working out the dollars.
The Islanders reportedly had an offer on the table for Nelson for weeks, but there’s no indication the two sides are close to a deal. The Isles policy is if a player isn’t signed before training camp, they will sit him out for the season. They have around $8 million in cap space.
Kruger wants to re-sign with the Blackhawks, who are expected to free up cap space via trades or demotions to accommodate him. He could be an offer-sheet target, assuming he wants to sign one.
Flames GM Brad Treliving recently said money and term were the sticking points in negotiations with Ferland, but they intend to keep working on it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of the four, the most interesting situation is Nelson’s. Are the two sides prepared for a game of chicken as the start of training camp (Sept. 16) approaches? Could be worth keeping an eye on his status over the next eight days.
If Kruger was interested in an offer sheet, I think he would’ve signed one by now. He seems keen to remain a Blackhawk and they certainly wish to keep him. It would take a significant offer ($3 million annually) to perhaps change his mind, but what team wants to spend that much per season on a fourth-line center? Especially considering the limited cap space most teams now have? I don’t think that’s going to happen.
If stamkos does price himself out of Tampa which to me would be over 10 million because of their up coming Rfa s and ufas their maybe only a few teams that can sustain the cap hit going forward. The leafs are one of the o believe. I get from a career standpoint he would want to go to a contender but how many contenders can afford him?? Nashville but will they spend to the cap?? Anaheim probably could fit him in but would run into problems down the road.. I’m not saying the leafs would trade for him that would be foolish , but if he becomes a ufa you better believe they will back a truck up , that’s not even mentioning the endorsement deals this guy would get.. it would fast track the rebuild if u think of marner nylander kap Rielly plus this years first ..A team like new jersey could also go after him they have great d core and goalie if he likes not being in a crazy hockey market he could probably get a high salary from them as well… I understand it does not make much sense at 26 to go to a team who is 2-3 years away from competing, but if he wants to get max dollars he might half to do so.. if Tampa gives him over 10 they will be in real cap hell in a few years , nobody is going to take Carle and his salary and even if players like bishop and Boyle walk other players like headman and Johnson are going to bet huge pay days
I have a dream!
And in this dream all teams are treated equal!
In this dream the Senators are close enough to home for Stamkos!
In this dream Melnyk opens his pockets to add to the roster!
I have a dream!
hahahaha
bang..dream is over
sorry couldn’t resist
Well Willy, this gets talked about ad nauseam, but here we go again. Lyle is 100% right on this one. First off the Leafs aren’t 2-3 years away from being a contender, NOT EVEN CLOSE! Second, getting $8-9 million per year in TB would be the equivalent to getting $10-10.5, they have NO state tax. Lastly, Canadian superstars or even good players very rarely come back to Canada because of the fishbowl atmosphere, and TO is the worst by far.
Not going to happen, move on!
Everybody said the same thing about Babcock….ANY Canadian NHL player would love to be a part of the team that brings the cup back to Canada.
we are 4-5 years away from contending for a playoff spot stamkos would be dumb to come to Toronto if he wants to win a cup. it just makes no sense and if tb has any thoughts they wont get him signed he will be traded and the leafs would have to throw away the picks they have
So, Stamkos is going to the Canadiens then? Because Toronto, even with Stamkos in their lineup, isn’t even close to being able to make the claim of Cup contender.
Babcock was a coach. Big difference.
“Lastly, Canadian superstars or even good players very rarely come back to Canada because of the fishbowl atmosphere, and TO is the worst by far.
Not going to happen, move on!”
Yeah move on here. That point both you and Lyle make about players not wanting or disliking the spotlight or be in a fishbowl atmosphere simply out dated thinking… There’s this think called Twitter that many of these stars take part of.
I guess I kinda agree to a point that some players may not like the spotlight or rather not be in it or live/work in a fishbowl atmosphere however the stars that seem to enjoy the media by being part of it via Twitter, etc, makes sense they won’t mind the spotlight that will be cast on them in those cities. And no I don’t think Stamkos would want to leave Tampa, why would he?
If anything, Ron, social media is yet another reason why Canadian stars are reluctant to return to Canadian teams. How many Canadian born superstar UFAs, in the last decade, have jumped at the chance to play for a Canadian team, or demanded a trade to one. The list is very, very low. Hardly dated thinking.
your right lyle its been few and far between
To be fair I also said a rebuilding team like new jersey as well not just leafs. I just think if he price’s himself in the 11 to 12 million range a rebuilding team could afford him where Tampa with all their talent coming up as rfa or ufas would not be able to fit his high salary in and keep some of their other core players who have definitely proven they are worth keeping.
Not sure what your definition of “cap hell” is Willy. But let’s say the Leaf s do back up the t ruck and throw open the vault to the tune of, say, $10,000,000 cap hit per year for a long term starting in 2016-17. At that point they’ll still have Phaneuf tied up at $7 mil per to 2020-21, Lupul at $5,250,000 per to 1017-18,Van Riemsdyk at $4,250,000 per to 2017-18, Bozak at $4,200,000 per to 2017-18, Gardiner at $4,050,000 per to 2018-19, and Bernier at $4,150,000 to 2016-17 when he becomes a UFA. Coonting the cap hits for Kessel ($1,200,000) and Gleason ($1,333,333) to 2012-22 and 2017-18, that’s $31,433,333 taken up by 6 roster players. Then you have Kadri ($4, 100,000) and Rielly ($894,167) who between them account now for $4,994,167 who will have to be re-signed as RFAs after next season and Bernier as a UFA and together will will likely account for at least $11 mil combined, bringing the cap hit for 9 players (counting Stamkos) to something in the area of $40,000,000. If the cap ceiling remains around $70 mil, that leaves roughly $30 mil to sign 14 players. I don’t know what kind of a roster you’d have with an average salary of $2,142,850 for the bulk of the team.
I get your point but besides phaneuf Gardiner assuming rielly
The rest of the bigger contracts would most likely be gone in 2 years after season maybe jvr stays with raise and kadri and Bernier depending on this year . Also to your point of 40 million on 9 players I am expecting this is were entry levels come in. Nylander brown and kapanen should be able to make jump in 1 or 2 season taking the spots of bozak lupul and even possibly kadri if stamkos was acquired. My hole point was the leafs have more players on elc for the next few years and then will most likely get bridge deal where Tampa has 4 or 5 guys like Johnson headman bishop if he stays ..etc that will need hefty raises over 5 mil a season and stamkos eating up 10 million of that would cause cap hell.
All that granted, Willy, that’s a whole lot of unknown “ifs” that you’re hanging your hat on. All those elc’s are just names at this point – with no guarantees that they will be any better at the NHL level than players they have now. They MIGHT be better – even much better – but I just can’t see Stamkos willing to go down that road just for the “honour” of playing at home and the prospect of years of being a bottom feeder. All his magnificent talent did not bring Tampa to where they are now by itself. Why would he be any different than a host of other super stars over the past 10-15 years born in the area who acknowledged they “grew up” as Leafs fans, but who chose elsewhere if they left their original teams after becoming UFAs (and there weren’t many who even took THAT route – most (we’re talking SUPER stars here)chose to remain with the teams that drafted them.
I know this is a rumour site; but just wondering what anyone thinks of the Hockey News ranking Connor McDavid as the 36 best player in the NHL one spot ahead of Mark Giordano whom they say had a Norris type season before his injury, also of not McDavid teammate Taylor Hall doesn’t crack the top 50, the 50th spot went to the other franchise player who hasn’t played an NHL game, Jack Eichel.
we will see how good he is in a month I think he is generational but just my opinion
I don’t doubt that both McDavid AND Eichel are going to be fantastic players, especially on their respective teams, but I’ve always thought it a little odd to claim they’re “the Xth best player in the NHL” when they haven’t even played an NHL game yet.
Its a reasonable spot. yahoo has him around their as well. Rookies are at most times a toss of the coin yet McDavid is touted as a generational player. He is likely going to get 50-60 points in his first year but could get 70-80 points. His stock could very well fall or rise the following year. The ranking of players in Hockey news are often intended towards fantasy leagues. Late 30’s makes sense to me as if selected in a keeper league he projects to be a star and would serve a person well to have him as a 3rd or 4th round pick.
Jeff I believe you mentioned before that you run hockey drafts, so I got to ask. Would you take McDavid before Hall, Kessel, Ladd or R. Nash (all players below McDavid according to the hockey news) in a keeper league? Not being smug just curious, I haven’t done a draft in years and never done a keeper league. Maybe this year.
if its a keeper league I would take mcdavid first
Your right I do run a fantasy league.
McDavid vs Hall.
It does depend very much so on what type of league you are drafting them in. If it is a non keeper league I would always take Hall first. After all we know what he will do as we have past season’s to look at and if McDavid comes into the seen and excels Hall will feed off of that so you don’t really lose out if someone else drafts McDavid before you later on. Also if positions are a factor. Having a solid LW is not a bad thing. Centres are plentiful. You could hold off on drafting your 2nd Centre and fill up on quality wingers and if McDavid is gone probably get a guy like Monahan in the 7th or 8th round.
I think it depends on what type of keeper league as to where you draft Hall. My league the keepers a manager selects need to have been drafted the previous year in the league. This is how we place a value on them. McDavid would have greater value as you could keep him through out his career. McDavid should become a star. Yet if in my league you draft McDavid 1rst overall, and keep him he will be autodrafted in your first round pick slot the next year. If you traded away your 1rst round pick for a shot at the championship you won’t be able to keep McDavid as you need the corresponding draft pick he was drafted in to keep him as that is where he will be autodrafted.
So I have done a few mock drafts and it appears McDavid is going in the 3rd or 4th round. Hall tends to wait a bit longer. One mock I drafted them both back to back as I had the last pick and the rounds snaked. I would likely though take Hall first in round 3 or if I felt lucky in round 4. So I could keep him in that round each year. Hall I could likely grab a bit later.
But in my opinion in a one year and your done scenario I would go with Hall all the way. I am thinking he will be the next Oiler captain.
Dang it. Once again my fingers and mind don’t link up. I meant I would take McDavid first in a Keeper league in the 3rd or 4th round.
Oh and if a player is not drafted in my league you can’t keep him as a keeper. Next year you will have to draft him then you can keep him.
Jeff, if you’d like, you can put a link or e-mail address up for your fantasy league in the comments section if you want to include any of the readers. Striker also claims to run several fantasy leagues, so I extend the same invitation to him.
Thanks Lyle but I have no plans to expand the league. I have 12 guys who partake in our fantasy league with gusto. Took me a few years to find 12 guys that won’t fade away and lose interest as the season progressed. However I may take your offer up in following years if one of my guys can’t do it anymore.
This year I would likely take Kessel over all of them. Hopefully in the 2nd round. But in a keeper league it really depends how many top guys are being kept already. If everyone is available then I would love Kessel to fall to the 2nd round but I have a twelve team league and I have Kessel ranked 12. Only because I dropped Kane due to his police investigation. I not sure if Kane will miss time. I like Nash’s ability to play both wings in Yahoo so I have him higher than Hall and McDavid as well.
My rankings are influenced by my league mates as I know their favorite teams and guys and as such the players they covet.
I have Kessel #12, Nash #19, P. Kane #24 (which is funny, and if he won’t miss time will jump to #12.), Hall at 31 and McDavid at 34.
Oh I forgot Ladd. For some reason he is always forgotten in my leagues drafts and I have him placed down in the 7th round. He is likely placed higher in other rankings as he does have great all around fantasy value.
Agreed – ranking a rookie, who has never played a game in the NHL is abit silly. It also places alotta undue pressure on 18 year old kids, both of which will be asked to carry their respective franchises.
If Stamkos wants the biggest payday his best move would be to test free agency. He will get some huge offers if he has another great season.
There is no way Tampa let’s the circus build into the season. Stamkos in Tampa without a contract or substantial negotiations would be a compelte and total distraction. This is a very good team, they are in the hunt for the Cup – the Lightening don’t need every other question asked to be about their captain’s status.
its a catch twenty two issue:
1. if they don’t sign him..it is a distraction
2. If they do sign him…everyone else becomes a distraction
I think the trend for RFA’s that do not sign cheap…will be that they stay unsigned for the whole year, even if the team risk’s losing the player. Stamkos should be an exception, but never underestimate greed
Well, Tampa better win their Stanley Cup in the next year or so, before the cap pinch hits them big time. In a year or so, some key players will fall by the wayside. Welcome, Tampa, to the reality of the Blackhawks, Bruins, Kings and any other team who really wants to win it all. It’ll take a miracle, for any team with a low, self-imposed cap limit, to win the Cup. The Ducks are a good example – mark my words, they will make another playoff exit, due partly to their unwillingness to pay for top quality netminding and their so-so bottom six. “Cheap,” doesn’t win championships!
Maybe it’s par for the course in the salary cap era but this negotiation shows it’s not all sunshine and roses between Stamkos and Yzerman. I’m sure they’ll eventually come to a deal. Dragging it out certainly doesn’t hurt Stamkos’ bargaining position, nor does appearing in a Blue Jays uniform. Reminds me of when Letang suggested he’d like to play in Toronto. That one comment was probably worth another million a year.
The Jets should sign Ferland to an offer sheet.