Rumor Roundup: Will Stamkos become an RFA?

[doniceage]

BY: Lyle Richardson
2011-06-01 12:02:00
While the Tampa Bay Lightning face some tough off-season decisions, it doesn't appear re-signing restricted free agent center Steven Stamkos will be one of them.

GM Steve Yzerman told the St. Petersburg Times his club will increase payroll for next season, though he wouldn't elaborate by how much, while Stamkos said he didn't foresee any problems in coming to terms with the club.

It’s expected Stamkos' new contract will be worth around $7 million per season. If he's still unsigned by July 1, he would certainly become a tempting target for an offer sheet from a rival club, but Yzerman is unlikely to let things get that far.


http://www.thehockeynews.com/article...daily_20110602

[Yipper]

I can honestly see some team through him an identical deal as Malkin or Crosby. Yzerman would in doubt re-sign him but it cost an arm and a leg for Tbay if he gets to the RFA status.

[duwal]

yeah if it gets to RFA then if I was another team I would offer the maximum allowed. Stevie Y will either overpay for his superstar or lose him completely

[wild4life]

I would love to see the Wild snatch him up, but there's no way we have enough cap space.

[collectorthornton]

savard gone
ryder gone
rechhi gone

the bruins should pick him up

[30ranfordfan]

There is no contract that a team could offer him - that Tampa Bay wouldn't match. He might get to RFA status, but he's not going anywhere.

[VanekSnipes]

He belongs in TB. He will probably stay there.. Yzerman is no Mike Milbury.(Thanks for ruining the Islanders)

[duwal]

There is no contract that a team could offer him - that Tampa Bay wouldn't match. He might get to RFA status, but he's not going anywhere.

but the point might not even be to get him. If they overpay for Stamkos than other players on the Lightning might be expendable in order to stay at the cap. It would be almost like the Blackhawks last year where their top players were making the money and they couldn't afford their depth. Sure they will sign Stamkos no matter what but if its high enough it might mean they would be forced to let go of 3 or 4 other roster players in order to do so

[stop__dreaming]

Stamkos isn't going anywhere. Yzerman has proved he is a smart GM already and letting Stamkos go would be the worst mistake he could make.

[gardzy99]

I hope Stamkos shows some class and signs ahead of the RFA to show he's actually dedicated to playing for the team that drafted him.....instead of waiting and trying to soak them. I find that ignorant and greedy.