Rumor Roundup: Scenarios for Stamkos

[doniceage]

BY: Lyle Richardson

With this summer's unrestricted free agent market drying up and the NHL off-season heading into the “dog days,” the status of Steven Stamkos' contract talks with the Tampa Bay Lightning has dominated hockey news.

The fact Stamkos, one of the NHL's top stars, remains unsigned in mid-July has not only given rise to speculation over his status, but has also stoked rumors he’ll either receive an offer sheet from a big market team such as Toronto or Philadelphia, or be traded if the Lightning fail to re-sign him soon.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/article...daily_20110714

[Yzerfan]

Stevie isn't gonna let Stammer go. Big contracts take a long time, especially when the player could possibly spend the rest of his career with a team. It's kind of like a marriage!!

[duwal]

Stevie isn't gonna let Stammer go. Big contracts take a long time, especially when the player could possibly spend the rest of his career with a team. It's kind of like a marriage!!

and knowing that I think it would be very smart for other teams to put in offer sheets that are through the roof in order to have Tampa overpay for him

[CJ1510]

^ but no one wants to do that b/c that would be a little messed up and no one whats to be "that guy".

[Tblightning]

He'll sign with Tampa, end of story.

[30ranfordfan]

I can't believe the rumor mill has gotten so slow, that there are still writers creating new stories about Stamkos (though the Spector's credit, this is basically just an article saying he's not going anywhere).

Stamkos is going to sign in the 7.5-8.5, per year, range..... on a 3 year, or 7+ year contract. He's not getting traded to TOR, PHI, LA, or BUF.


The reason why nobody signs offer sheets, is becuase there is no reasonable chance you'll get the player. When Edmonton did it with Vanek and then Penner - I suspect they thought there was a very good chance of actually getting the player. Same with Philly when they did it to Kesler.

If a team throws a 12 million per year offer sheet at Stamkos, the Lightning will just end up matching it anyway. Yes you mess with their cap number (making them, in theory, less competitve) but you also raise the bar for contracts going to 4th year pros..... and before long no top 5 draft pick, that has played 3 really good years, will take less than 8 million. That hampers all 30 team's ability to do business.