The Maple Leafs have won the lottery and the plan in Toronto is working to perfection...Jonathan Drouin has lived up to potential in Tampa....The question now is...How does this all affect Steven Stamkos to the Maple Leafs?
There is no doubting the fact that Drouin is showing he can be a star and the Leafs will be adding a generational player to their line-up betters the odds....It should, right?
On paper...yes...sort of?
I still believe the ball is in Stamkos' court. Talking to sources I trust in Tampa, the team still has Stamkos as their #1 priority, and I wouldn't be shocked if an extension was signed before the NHL Draft. If anything, the Matthews situation may expedite that because no one, except Stamkos himself, really knows what he is thinking. Were I negotiating his contract with Tampa I would keep that information close to the vest as well.
The reality is Stamkos can sign anywhere he wants. It won't be a money issue. I don't buy that Tampa will go for this huge hometown discount. History tells us, that other players may have issues like that, but in general the stars don't. Stamkos is worth more than just his on ice presence to the Lightning. He is very much the identity of this team. Right now I guarantee you all he is thinking about is getting into the lineup and winning the Cup. He is that solid of a person and a player. It's all legit.
There are lots of contracts coming up for Tampa, but it's more likely they move out any of those players than it is Stamkos. They currently have two starting goalies for example...
What do you think?
We will discuss all this, the second round of the playoffs, and more on today's podcast at 1pm ET.
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