A list of this summer’s top unrestricted free agents, and why the Toronto Maple Leafs could be attractive for some of them.
Lightning captain Steven Stamkos could be this summer’s top UFA.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox provides an updated list of this summer’s top-16 unrestricted free agents. It’s comprised of Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, St. Louis Blues center David Backes, New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo, Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic, Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andrew Ladd, New York Rangers center Eric Staal, Florida Panthers right wing Jaromir Jagr, Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle, Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson, Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell, Dallas Stars blueliner Kris Russell, Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward, Colorado Avalanche winger Mikkel Boedker, Panthers forward Jiri Hudler, San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer and Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The uncertainty over Stamkos status will continue to feature prominently in the rumor mill between now and July 1. Backes’ future in St. Louis will be determined by the Blues’ performance in the 2016 playoffs. Okposo is probably a goner via free agency. The Kings hope to re-sign Lucic, who is keen to stay. Fitting his new contract under the limited cap space, however, won’t be easy. Ditto the Blackhawks re-signing Ladd.
Staal’s tenure with the Rangers will likely be short, as they have younger players to re-sign. Jagr will re-sign with the Panthers, as GM Dale Tallon made it known he wants the veteran winger back. Yandle will be too expensive for the Rangers to retain. Same goes for Eriksson with the Bruins. Campbell could be re-signed to a less-expensive, short-term deal, as he has solid chemistry with young Aaron Ekblad. If Russell plays well in the upcoming postseason, the Stars could re-sign him.
Ward will have to accept a considerable shorter and cheaper contract to sign with another NHL club. His tenure with the Hurricanes ends this summer. Boedker could test the UFA market, as I have my doubts the Avs will re-sign him when they’ve got Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie due big raises this summer. Hudler will hit the UFA market. Reimer, too, and I think the Calgary Flames will take a serious look at him. Vrbata’s days with the Canucks are numbered.
Other notables include ” Frans Nielsen (Islanders), Shane Doan (Coyotes), Dan Hamhuis (Canucks), Jonas Hiller (Flames), Karri Ramo (Flames), Troy Brouwer (Blues), Alex Goligoski (Stars), Patrik Elias (Devils), Lee Stempniak (Bruins), Teddy Purcell (Panthers), David Perron (Ducks), Luke Schenn (Kings), Jamie McGinn (Ducks), Dale Weise (Blackhawks), P.A. Parenteau (Maple Leafs), Tom Gilbert (Canadiens) and Jason Demers (Stars).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nielsen, Goligoski, Stempniak, Perron, McGinn and Demers will likely attract plenty of interest via the UFA market. I think the Islanders will try to re-sign Nielsen. The Ducks could look at retaining Perron, who has 19 points in 25 games with them. If Doan doesn’t retire, he’ll likely sign with the Coyotes for one more year.
TORONTO STAR: Dave Feschuk believes the Maple Leafs will be attractive to top UFAs like Steven Stamkos. He cites the rebuilding club clearing salary-cap space over the past year giving them “the freedom to pay Stamkos the projected eight-figures-a-season market rate.” Feschuk believes they have the room for “a handful of high earners at the top of Toronto’s cap-hit list,” while the lower-priced talent coming from their “cache of draft picks” competes for room at the bottom of that list. He also cites recent comments from Leafs coach Mike Babcock noting that a team being built with young talent also needs good veteran talent to go with them. Recently-acquired Leafs forward Brooks Laich sings the praises of the club’s coaching staff, the organization’s first-class treatment of its players, the promising talent and treatment of the players by local fans makes Toronto a very attractive place to play.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those factors work in the Leafs favor, but also against them. If those top free agents want to sign with a contender, they won’t have interest in a rebuilding club like the Leafs. The fishbowl existence and constant pressure of playing in Toronto are also significant downsides. Indeed, it could take a couple of seasons of improvement before the Leafs become an attractive destination again for the top free-agent players.
I’m not saying the Leafs won’t be able to sign a top free agent this summer, but it has to be one willing to buy into the rebuilding process and prepared to spend at least the next couple of seasons sitting outside the playoff picture. If they can get one, like Stamkos, to sign this summer, it could encourage others to do the same.
It’s an exciting time to be a Maple Leafs fan. Think back two years and you’d never hear the kind of comments you hear about the team right now: praising the coaching staff, first class treatment of players, etc. These are the building blocks that will translate the team into a contender and desired destination for talent around the league within a few seasons or so. Players are going to want to give it their every ounce of strength for the sake of team success.
As for Stamkos, I am not sure the team should sign him. I agree with Babcock that you need some veteran leadership, sort of like Buffalo has done with O’Reilly, Gionta, and Moulson. Perhaps someone else on here can answer this: what has Stamkos shown thus far in his career in terms of veteran leadership qualities? As a leader or “captain” would he be good for the team? I remember a learned NHL analyst saying that teams usually don’t win the Stanley Cup with their best player being a free agent signing – but I’m sure there are some exceptions.
Thirsty, that’s a bit harsh. The onyl real criticism is that his playoff performances in a small sample size haven’t been great. He is a noted leader off the ice and the stats in the regular season speak for themselves.
Anyway, I’m a Leafs fans and I don’t want him. $70m for maybe a couple years at the end of the 7 year term when he’s in decline and the team is – possibly – a contender. No thanks
What’s harsh? I do not know anything about Stamkos beyond his stats so I’m really not in any position to have an opinion on his ‘intangibles’, that’s why I left an open question asking how good he is as a leader. It wasn’t meant as rhetorical or sarcasm.
In a perfect world the Leafs pass on Stammer and go after Tavares in two years. Thats an amazing view when I look at it from my rose colored glasses
@TAZ The Leafs can realistically sign both if they wanted too. Even if Stammer and Tavares wanted 10 mill each that would still leave the Leafs with 20 million in cap space…People seem to be forgetting this when they project the future of the Maple Leafs roster.
Dan I am with you on Stamkos but really you think they convinced guys like Lou Babcock and Lamare to come to ateam that might maybe just possibly could be good in 5 years? I dont think when Shanny was making calls to these guys he was ppushing the idea of not makimg the playoffs anywhere in the near future or they wouldnt have come, yes they got alot of money but these are all still people who want to win, I really doubt the plan is a 5 year before
any hopes of being good plan, or half the staff would havewent else where… not a doubt in my mind. I dont like the idea for the simple fact I am not sold on the idea
Stamkos is worth 10 mill not because Im worried his best
years will be behind him omce the Leafs are contenders.
Could you imagine the cconversation?
“Hey Mike its Shanny do I have a deal for you why domt you come here and wwe will give you 5 million bucks a uear but we domt really think or wamt to win anything for 3-5 years so we can build up some prospects and high draft picks amd develop them slowly amd hopefully in 6 or 7 uear we can make a run at a cup…sound good?”
*dial tone*
O’Reilly and Moulson make as much as Stamkos…I rather have a dynamic player that I can market then the other 2.
Yes Oreilly has a 2way game…But you are saying T.O needs vets yet Stamkos and O’reilly are in the same age bracket.
I don’t see any reason why the Leafs would depart in a major way from the strategy they had this past offseason, signing bounce-back veterans to short term deals in the hopes they can flip them at the deadline.
Indeed, management recently suggested that this upcoming season could be the more painful one, and obviously the standings can’t get worse, but I think what they meant was that the continued bottom-dwelling would test the limits of fans.
I don’t think it will. I think the fans want a true rebuild and the only people complaining are the media who have seen their ratings collapse as the teardown continues.
The onyl difference i see next year is a few more Marlies in the lineup. Hard to see Nylander and Shosh, any maybe Hyman plus one or two of Carrick, Loov, Valiev not make the team. Plus Zaitsev and maybe Vesey if we’re lucky.
It’s funny you never hear any other pro athlete complain about playing in big markets where fans are crazy about their team. I can’t remember any time hearing players say “I will not play for the Yankees to many people are interested in them in New York”. If that really is a problem then they should bag groceries .. no one ever recognizes the guy who bags groceries.
Looks like its a deep UFA market this year so to speak and with the limited cap space some teams are going to get some pretty friendly deals on useful players.
You are right, even if you dont consider the Yankees because they win lots, the NY jets domt seem to have that problem or the Mets Liverpool has never won the Premiership still attracts talent, the Cubs other big markets in other sports dont necessarily have these problems, if you do win or have success your going to be a legend. Bloody red sox
hey u think like me! cheers
With Gaudreau and Monahan most likely getting between 12 to 14mil combined and Colborn most likely getting a healthy raise I don’t see how the flames can afford Riemer who will be signed for around 5 to 6 mil. The only goalies I see them signing will be their own RFA Ortio and Ward.
I have a hard time believing Reimer will get that much. His up-and-down stats and injury history are major obstacles to getting that kind of money.
2.43 GAA and a .920% on a bad defencive team are pretty good numbers. Just think what those numbers would be if he was on St. Louis? Who I think will be looking to upgrade their goaltending next season. With that being said if that happens then I would not be surprised it the flames trade for Allan or Elliott.
Yeah, but Kev, he can’t play more than about 35 games in a season. I don’t see how he gets more than $4.5 and I wouldn’t want him at that for more than 3-4 years.
Reimer won’t be getting 5 or 6 mil per from anyone. Not until he shows he can play at least 55 games in a single season minimum with out getting hurt & posting at least an above average SV% which he has done this season by Sv%. In his 6 seasons to date the most NHL games played he’s played is 37 done in his rookie season in 2010-11.
I see him getting Talbot, Dubnyk, Halak type money, 4 to 4.5 on a 3 year term although it’s a pretty bleak goalie market this summer so he might surprise in dollars & you may be proved correct but I just don’t see it due to cap issues in Calgary.
Calgary has reasonable cap space. They have 15 players signed including their entire D essentially at $48,807,067, leaving $22,592,933 with zero cap increase to sign 7 players. Even if Gaudreau & Monahan eat up 12.5 that’s 10 mill to sign 6 players 2 of whom need to be goalies I would assume. Colborne, Jooris & Ortio are also RFA’s but I don’t agree that Colborne will get a substantial raise. He will get a raise but his age & current development are problematic as it relates to his UFA eligibility. He hasn’t shown enough to sign for more than 3 years.
I believe Wideman may be moved & I think Howard might be a fit. Detroit would probably have to eat 1.2 for the 2nd & 3rd seasons of Howard’s current deal to balance out Wideman’s 1 season remaining at 5.25. Quincey is a UFA this summer & detroit needs a replacement.
There were rumors of a trade with Boston right before Wideman got suspended, no other assets provided. With 1 year remaining Wideman even at 5.25 with his faults he will appeal to many teams. Calgary would have to take back some cap hit in the player coming back in not with Detroit in a deal for Howard. A player they other team doesn’t want in the 2.5 to 3.5 range to make work.
Enough of 5-6m lol
It’s not that Boston can’t afford to resign Ericksson, its that they shouldn’t unless it is a 3yr deal. Need to get Vatrano into the lineup 31 goals in 31 games played in the Ahl, I think he has shown he know how to put the puck into the net. Had 6 in 30 before being sent down, so it will be interesting to see how he develop over an 82 game schedule.
Caper,
Correct, Boston can absolutely afford to give Eriksson 5 years and a little over $6m each if they so choose… they’re going to have quite a bit of cap space open up this summer and next season will be even more but the RIGHT choice is not getting the team stuck in the position that Chiarelli left the organization. You can’t simply give every player that comes through the organization and has some type of chemistry a big contract, multi-year, and NMC… Chiarelli handcuffed the team with a lot of those signings. The right decision for Boston is to either ink a deal with Eriksson for 3-4 years and about $24m max and if it can’t be worked out then move on. They lost out on moving him during the deadline, which I felt a lot of that was because the team failed to realize the market early… much like when Ladd moved before the weekend and instead the team tried to hurry up and get a contract in place (which they had all season to do), they missed their opportunity to move the player and the return on deadline day was much lower. Time to move on from that, win some and lose some.
I agree, Vatrano has been a huge bright spot throughout the Bruins organization and even the AHL for that matter… kid is making history, but now he’s back up with the big club lets see how he does.
I don’t think the offers for Eriksson had anything to do with waiting until the last minute. Boston simply didn’t get an offer that justified moving Eriksson & felt his contribution for the playoffs out weighed the returns offered. I didn’t want him moved unless the return was a 1st & a decent B grade prospect.
Arizona got a bag of pucks for Boedker who was being bandied about with Ladd & Eriksson as the best forwards available but Arizona wasn’t playoff bound & took the best offer available as they simply couldn’t afford to pay him the money he wanted & who can blame them. Yes Boedker may have never had a top flight C to play with but he got a ton of minutes & PP time & still hasn’t scored over 20 goals & his best season to date is 51 points. What if playing with better players doesn’t translate to more goals or points? Will the team that signs him as a UFA give him the 1st line ice time & PP time he’s had in Arizona for years? Do you want to pay a 50 point player that may never score 20 goals over 5 mil per for 7 or 8 years?
Eriksson may be resigned, if not continue the rebuild/retooling. Room needs to be made for Griffith & Khokhlachev as both need to clear wavers next season & neither will. They need to added to the team, traded or allowed to be claimed when Boston has to submit it’s 23 man starting roster the evening before next season commences.
Getting Vatrano onto the roster next season will be challenging. He still has waver eligibility for 2 more years. C. Miller, Griffith & Khokhlachev all need to clear wavers next season.
I still believe Boston will get Eriksson signed but even if they don’t it will be hard to make room for Vatrano just for business reasons.
With TV ratings in the tank. The Leafs re-build will be fast forwarded. Stamkos this summer..Headmen next year?
Oh brother! Here we again with another endless round of “everybody wants to play for Toronto.”
Here’s where the patience in a re-build comes in. Leaf fans need to forget about big name free agents for awhile and focus on prospects. Enjoy the kids as they develop – wait and enjoy.
George, I think this is mostly from non-Leaf fans. I don’t know any fans who want to try and repeat the mistakes of the last several decades.
I am not a Leaf fan-have been accused of being a leaf basher. I just cant see ownership wanting 5 years of futility. That would mean 7 years of the TV contract executed before the leafs are winning in the playoffs.
And no-not everyone wants to play in TO. But they do want the max dollars. And like them or not. The leafs are the only team with both cap space and deep pockets.
That’s my point Scott. I just don’t think non-Leaf fans understand how badly Leaf fans want the team to stay committed to this rebuild and do it properly. All indications and statements are that they will, but the proof’ll be in the pudding.
Deep pockets notwithstanding, they can only fork over what’s limited by the cap. They have lots of space as matters now stand but with RFAs like Kadri (currently at $4.1 mil) and Rielly to sign next year (as well as Holland if they decide to keep him) the buyout of Gleason and the salary withheld on Kessel accounting for just over $3 mil for a number of years to come, and contracts like Lupul’s ($5,250,000 to 2017-18), Bozak ($4.2 to 2017-18), Bernier ($4,150,000) and Robidas ($3 mil_ each to the end of next season, and Gardiner ($4,050,000 to 2018-19), if the cap stagnates it wouldn’t take long to deplete the “space” with a $10 mil deal to guys like Stamkos and any other high-profile UFA they might target. Sure, they might be able to trade away one or two of those mentioned, but they still have to pay their replacements. As for more buyouts, isn’t there a limit on how many they can use?
No limits to buyouts but I agree with you George. Even if they buy out Cowen as planned, a 650K savings next season, 750K hit the season following & Robidas essentially a mil per for 2 years they still haven’t got unlimited cap space.
Horton can be moved to LTIR but not the night prior to the start of the NHL season when Toronto has to submit their 23 man roster. His cap hit counts until the following day. The previous CBA allowed for early designation to LTIR but not at full value but at 75% of his cap hit. I’m not certain this option was carried forward in the current CBA, 1 of the reasons Boston & Philadelphia moved Savard & Pronger out as it was causing waiver exemption issues for both clubs with current rosters when submitting said 23 man rosters. Perhaps Lyle can weigh in with insight to this technical cap issue.
I would assume all Toronto RFA’s other than Corrado possibly will be retained. Kadri, Holland, Reilly, Marincin, Carrick & Sparks. All will be getting 1 way deals & raises. Several significant raises, Kadri; his pending UFA eligibility seriously weighs in his favor for leverage on this next contract, & Reilly.
Toronto will have 14 players signed for next season after Cowen & Robidas are bought out. That # includes Nylander, Soshnikov & Hyman. That will leave about 20 mil at the current cap to resign 9 players until they clear Horton’s cap hit opening day on LTIR. Kadri & Reilly probably eat at least 1/2 that available space.
Striker you are assuming nothing else changes in Toronto whoch will definitely not be the case, I could see them moving Bozak keeping Robidas and just leaving him on LTIR aswell and its not considering waiver exemptions which could be used to get around submitting a roster on day 1 before placing player on LTIR…its not exactly that cut and dry how the Leafs roster will come together over the next year. I personally coud see much more change. Here are too many moving parts currently, and your assumptions include a whole lot of question marks. Lupul going forward Kadri Riellys deals, Bozak Hunwick Bernier could possibly be dealt, and looking at some of these guysthe rreplacement would likely be a cheaper younger player with the exception of Bozak whps replacement could very well be Stamkos. I think its far to early to try and figure out how the roster is going to shape up for anyone accept the guy in the Leafs front office.
George, I get your frustration but these are valid rumor times as a leaf fan and I say embrace em
So there is 0% chance of?
1. Leaf getting Matthews (20%) or franchise player
2. Stamkos signing with leafs
3. Not having 30 million to spread around on perhaps two UFA
but your right cuz either way they will still suck and rumors will still be absurd until they get a type brodeur steven tandem PERIOD
I think scott may be rignt. I dont want him to be but….
Toronto even with reduced TV ratings are still the biggest money making team in the NHL. TV contracts aren’t signed annually. In fairness I don’t know where their current TV deals are for # of seasons remaining but just not a factor.
Hedman will be extended by TB this summer after July 1st as allowed under the CBA for 8 more years at 7 to 8 mil per, locking him up with the 1 year still remaining for 9 more years. Hedman is the most important signing pending for TB. More so than Stamkos, Kucherov, Johnson, Palat, Killorn etc. These types of Dman are the rarest commodity in the NHL & no team risks losing them for any reason. Just ask David Poille. Philadelphia structured such an onerous contract for Weber but Poille didn’t even flinch. He ponied up just like he said he would.
Its the 10 year National Broadcast deal I was referring to-the one that Rogers spent $1 Billion for. Every indication I heard on the talk shows is that Senior mgt is greatly concerned about poor ratings.
The deal was signed and payed for in adv yes, in hopes to generate revenue which it is not to say well it doesnt matter becaise its already paid for? Why not ask the Rogers employees that are getting laid off if it doesnt matter. Cybulski being the latest I believe….seriously of course its a factor if no one is watching how much revenue you think the broadcast is generating? You dont pay 5 billion US $ to day oh well ots paid for! What a crock
You are correct Shticky-Hugh Burrill,James Cybulski,
Jamie Thomas all got layoffs. This is in addition to the radio personalities like Greg Brady. A long with behind the scenes. Rogers Sports Dep’t is bleeding losses.
So to the group that says there is no way Senior mgt won’t pressure Lou/Shanny to move up the Leaf 5 year re-build, you may be a wishful thinker.
Steven Stamkos is still young (26) he hasn’t even really hit his prime years yet. Yes his injury knocked him back a peg but he will score you 40 NO PROBLEM!! He’ll sign in Toronto and when he does people will forget that they had this conversation. He isn’t a player you pass on NO matter where your rebuild is.
I 99% agree.
The issue that faces every team now is the cap.
to me Stamkos is deserving 8 x 8 which brings him to 34 years at a time when 8 mil should equal 5 mil today
The issue (same for yzerman) is the 10 x 10
a stanley cup or UFA will get him that 10 mil (maybe 9×9)
Stamkos passes
Those “other notables” along with a few of the others previously mentioned, look like the starting line-up of the Las Vegas Idiot Wheels
If Lee Stempniak works out for Boston, and thus far has been a good addition… then I could see them signing him back in the off season for a bigger deal than he’s on but not a huge bump. 1-2 year deal, $1.5m per… would be a solid addition for the top 9, can float in and out of the top 6 if injuries occur. I could especially see this happening if Eriksson walks. Would also still leave money to sign a free agent defenseman, unless they choose to trade for one instead… sign Krug and extend Marchand. Would all fit in and likely have some more room for in season moves if need be.
I think a number of teams will step up to bid for Stempniak. He may well return to NJ & the price probably starts at or above 2.5 mil for 2 years if not more. Stempniak & Liles were nice depth additions. I was disappointed Boston didn’t do more but their other trade deadline acquisition, just keeping Eriksson has Boston looking far better than they did before the trade deadline & as I was saying before come playoff time anything can happen, especially if Rask goes on a solid run.
I just heard Bob Mackenzie say the exact same thing about any playoff team on Vancouver 1040. Posted on TSN’s NHL home page if you wish to listen.
Striker, I agree anything can happen in the playoffs, I also feel the bruins don’t get much credit; after all they are the third highest scoring team in the league, the have a 1, 2 and 3 punch of Bergeron, krecji and Spooner at center. Stempniak has helped Boston have a well balance attack. Liles also nice addition to the d and make some really good puck moving decisions, if we can get the d to simplify and not try to do too much, then this team can make a run. The interesting thing I heard was once Boston realized they could move Ericksson they shifted gears and then added Liles and Stempniak, if this is true, I have to give Sweeney credit for being able and flexible enough to make them deals happen late in the day.
As I told you & Chad at the time you were pining for Chara, Sedenberg, McQuad, Eriksson etc to be traded Sweeney would do something & spend some of the monies available to improve Boston’s run but not at the expense of the rebuild.
What you see is what you get. I would be shocked to see either Stempniak or Liles resigned. C. Miller joins Trotman & Morrow with the big club next season full time as he has to clear wavers, once the RFA’s are signed at D; Krug, Trotman & Morrow, Boston will have 7 Dman in the NHL on 1 way deals. If a Yandle or Goligoski type Dman can be had I think Boston will make a serous push to sign 1 at a certain dollar value, 6.5 for Yandle in or around 6 years, 5ish for say a player like Goligoski for 5.
I’d like to see Boston get Marchand extended & resign Eriksson but if Yandle accepts 6.5 the cap gets tight very quickly & they simply may not have the money to pay Eriksson. Not knowing what the cap is today makes it hard to project the future. I’d prefer they accept the existing D & let the kid’s develop & play. Retain Eriksson, extend Marchand & pass on trying than sign Yandle.
Striker,
I wasn’t pining for Boston to move Mcquaid or Chara at the deadline. It came up in spectors Rumors postings that Chara could be a commodity but I made comments that although I think it’d be best long term for the team and rebuild it likely wouldn’t happen. I really just wanted Eriksson moved and I still can’t wrap my head around the fact Ladd fetched a 1st and Dano but Boston wasn’t offered a 1st or two 2nds for Eriksson… Eriksson is every bit Ladd and just as valuable. I was pegging Anaheim or St Louis to offer a 1st for him. They’d be a later 1st anyways but oh well.
On a side note: I really feel Boston won’t be able to ink Eriksson to a deal, he wants the money and term and I doubt the Bruins will cave. Also, not sure they’ll sign Yandle, as much as I’d like Yandle I think too many teams need top 4 defenseman this off season and that’ll inflate the market to Yandles advantage
Striker, you must have me confused with someone else. I said if Boston can get a 1st round pick and prospect for Ericksson then they should make that trade, I also said if they could package him with Chara and get a top 4 dman then they should do that and yes if there was a deal to be made for Chara, get it done. I never mentioned Mcquaid because I like what he brings to the table and he has a decent contract for him and the club, also never mentioned Seidenburg. Yes Chara and Ericksson if the right deal was there and I still think that today. Also don’t need both Krug and Yandle, if signing Yandle then Krug must go.
I could see the Rangers trade Nash and keep Eric Staal.
Not a chance in Hell.
MP,
Not sure that makes sense for the NYR… E. Staal I feel is far more removed from a clearly production standpoint than R. Nash. Although their numbers this season may speak otherwise because both have been down years… Nash hasn’t played as many games but I still think he can be a game changer. Both are 31 but I think Staal has seen a considerable downward slope in performance.
Here is a fun thought that likely will never happen (for varying reasons):
What if Shane Doan left Phoenix and signed a 1 year deal to finish in Winnipeg?
I expect it’d be good for the fans and a great merchandise seller for the team.
Choice of spending the -40C winter in Winnipeg or +25C Phoenix-I think he will retire a Coyote!
Agreed.
Yeah he likely will – that’s reason for most right there!
I know he’s from Alberta (I believe he has a home in the province as well) and is quite outdoorsy, so i figured being closer to home would be part of any motivation to do it.
also of note, when it was mentioned that the coyotes could be moving back to Winnipeg, Doan at the time said he would retire.
I think Edmonton proves regarding what Babcock says. They never have gotten proven effective veterans to help with the youngsters. They may have tried but brought the wrong veterans in. Florida might be a good example with Jagr and Campbell. So I am game for the Leafs to, draft plenty, play the youngsters and sign veterans here and there.
Don’t forget Mitchell, Jokinen, Luongo, Mackenzie, Thornton & Bolland as well. Some are injured or play as role players sparingly but they are all there with the team practicing & providing a solid leadership group.
And Edmontons proved you can’t win with drafting alone…Hence the reason they’ve missed the playoffs 10 years in a row. You need the mix of vets and rookies to make a go every year and build your team properly. You can’t just have 19 to 20 year olds make up your roster. Edmonton has made that abundantly clear.
Tthe thing about he will want to play for a team thats a conteder or closer to it is he also wants to play center so out of the teams that would be considered contenders to day with out even getting in to their cap problems Backstrom Kopitar Toews Bergeron Krejci Getzlaf Kessler Thorton Pvelski Coture Crosby Malkin Seguin Spezza Giroux the kids on the Panthers….there are not a wholelotta teams that I think its an automatic that Stamkos is the best center and again thats not even considering the cap implications of paying hi 10 mill or the owners who generally dont love the idea of spending that kinda money, other teams that could be closer than the Leafs…like the Sabres Avs wild ROR Duchene Parise I am not so sure the Bluejackets are any closer Ottawa Melnyk Habs will have cap issues of their own Oilers McDavid Calgary ehh Monahan Bennett gooing down the road, the Canucks cap….not saying Toronto is the spot maybe Nashville would bite maybe the Rangers trade Nash, but writting the Leafs off as a no because of the view he will want to win a cup? I am not so sure they are any further away than any other team that is in need of and can afford to pay that kinda cash for a top line center which will be just as important to Stamkos, he wants to be the guy and he wants to win…
I can’t even understand that write up?
What I am saying professor is that to say a guy like Stamkos would might only be willing to go to a contender seems like it mayne a little short sighted considering, that his boggest ossue asode from money in Tampa Bay has been playing wing, and if you look around the league at contenders without even getting in to their cap situations, teams that are contenders or even generally considered closer than the Leafs are all pretty set at the center position, and if he dosent like playing wing in Tampa (a contender) he may not exactly love the idea of playing for a team just because its a contender. Stamkos is a great scoring center but I am not sure he is anybetter all around center than many mentioned above. And again thats not getting in to the issue of some ownership groups that are contender type teams that dont typically spend to the cap or give out 10 million dollar contracts…its not as easy to say he would want to go to a contender or why would he choose the Leafs? Im like alot of others here and dont want him in Toronto but its starting to look more and more like that would be the most logical spot. Weather people want to acknowledge it or not is another thing.
Overall what I am getting at is ot seems like tere are alwaus “ya buts” when it come to Toronto and thos could be similar to Babcock, people said ua but why would je want to go to the Leafs he will want to go to a comtender! and yes he is a coach thing is tho, the Leafs got him and Lou which os something no ome thought possible along with gettimg rid of Clarkson Phaneuf Kessel…what is so different now? They convinced Babcock to come because they were building something and he would have the opportunity to be a big part of it get paid more than anyone else and if it works out be someome that will kinda go down down in the history of the game as one of the best….what so different to convince Stamkos of the same thing? And if a guys like Babcock Lamoriello Lamare can be convinced maybe a guy like Stamkos could be aswell…its not all that different. All these guys want to win in Toronto. Thats if he reaches ufa….maybe he does stay in Tampa maybe he signsin Arizona or some other unknown market, I just think some get carried away with the ya buts.
Stamkos will have to buy into the program. With all the talent coming up it appears the plan is to have lots of high end skill paid reasonably but no 10 million dollar men. It is not that they can’t afford it just that they are looking at the Detroit model not Chicago. If he takes 8 million and makes up for the rest in endorsements TO can do it. I don’t believe he will sign with TO but I did not think Babcock would either.
If I had to bet stamkos will sign with MTL. That would be his ideal team and the Habs will crave over a big scoring centerman lool