Stamkos - Toronto?

[Krazykanuk]

As a Leaf fan I personally would love to see this.

Is anybody else hearing these rumours?

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?p...3&blogger_id=1

By nature I am pressimistic but with Burke you never know what to expect.

Just curious is anybody else has heard anything?

I am hearing:

Kadri
Colbourne
Schenn

for

Stamkos

Please don't shoot the messenger, I am just curious if anybody else is hearing anything.

If nothing else it is good to get us Leaf fans hopes up...

[JHEYKID]

If TB does that trade Stevie Y will be looking for a new job.

[JHEYKID]

If TB does that trade Stevie Y will be looking for a new job. If Burke can pull it off though Stamkos would be huge, although they still need a puck moving centre, sorry Connolly is garbage.

[tdavidautos]

LMAO. There's no truth to that rumor. Why would Stamkos want to leave Tampa? Connolly IS garbage haha, I really don't know why they would sign him. Consolation for missing out on RIchards? I'm sure Leaf fans are thrilled...Finally I don't think there is any number of players on the Leafs roster that would make TB want to trade Stamkos.
Then again, stranger things HAVE happened

[Krazykanuk]

Why would he want to leave Tampa? There are rumours all over the net that he is not happy there. I personally can not understand what he could be unhappy about given the climate, some of the players and Stevie Y, but you never know what goes on in people heads.

I don't think any of us can say there is no truth to it. Improbable yes. Unlikely yes.

I also don't think I would call Connoly garbage. Is he the answer to the teams need, no but he is still a pretty good player and if healthy will drastically improve our power play.

[RGM81]

The link you provided says all we need to know about this rumour.

People get so jumpy when they see that a high-value RFA isn't signed on July 1st. As a Habs fan, I saw a ridiculous amount of this last summer when Carey Price didn't get signed until early September. People don't understand that there's a process involved when you're negotiating with the core building block that will be the future of your franchise. There's so much to weigh in terms of length, dollars, the impact the cap hit will have on other signings, etc. Stamkos will be a member of the Lightning in 2011-12 and beyond. It's just a matter of figuring out the details of how long that beyond will be, and what it will take to keep him there for that duration.

[30ranfordfan]

There's zero chance that Stamkos will be a Maple Leaf next year.

Richard has already articulated two very important facts about this..... there is a process (and no real rush) in getting this contact done. Stamkos, and his agent, I'm sure..... they're looking to get the most money they can out of it. Why wouldn't they?

The second, is where the link comes from. Hockey Buzz has two types of rumors: Ones they got from other sources, or ones that were put together using monkeys and spinning wheels. The formula is simple: Big Name Player + Team with strong following = More traffic to my rumors site (e4)

The one way that someone may be able to pry Stamkos lose would be an offer sheet. I don't know Tampa's reaction if the Leafs (or anyone) through 120 million, for 10 years, at him. Maybe they'd have to let him go?

I do know that the four first round picks they'd get in return for Stamkos taking an offer sheet, would be FAR better than the package of players that rumor is suggesting the Leafs would trade to get him.

[Pence23]

There's zero chance that Stamkos will be a Maple Leaf next year.

Richard has already articulated two very important facts about this..... there is a process (and no real rush) in getting this contact done. Stamkos, and his agent, I'm sure..... they're looking to get the most money they can out of it. Why wouldn't they?

The second, is where the link comes from. Hockey Buzz has two types of rumors: Ones they got from other sources, or ones that were put together using monkeys and spinning wheels. The formula is simple: Big Name Player + Team with strong following = More traffic to my rumors site (e4)

The one way that someone may be able to pry Stamkos lose would be an offer sheet. I don't know Tampa's reaction if the Leafs (or anyone) through 120 million, for 10 years, at him. Maybe they'd have to let him go?

I do know that the four first round picks they'd get in return for Stamkos taking an offer sheet, would be FAR better than the package of players that rumor is suggesting the Leafs would trade to get him.

this and besides no decent player puts on a Leafs sweater

[Krazykanuk]

Agreed with RMG.

With that said, there is still the dreaded offer sheet. When you have a guy who is the face of the franchise one would suspect you would not waste ANY time. You have teams who can force your hand and 4 first round picks would be worth it for a guy like Stamkos.

[RGM81]

It depends on the team making the offer sheet. If you're talking a Florida or the Islanders or other potential lottery-bound team, you really think about those 4 firsts. Yes Stamkos is an incredibly special player, but the 2012 draft is going to be a really deep class, and who know what else could be lurking out there. If it's Washington or Pittsburgh making the offer sheet, you match immediately because there's no way that 4 20th+ picks is worth it.