just out of curiosity. Do Lightning fans enjoy listening to Phil Esposito if they are listening to a Lightning game on the radio? Personally, I can't stand him, he just complains the whole time.

and what a nice goal by the Kuch! Lightning have drafted/signed well, even if Stammer leaves they are going to be a dangerous team for many years.

Steve Yzerman should have resigned Stamkos before Jon Cooper. There has to be something to this rumor of unrest between coach and captain. This contract should have been signed and sealed months ago, and it still may be, but I just don't get the delay. Good luck, TB.

Beautiful tying goal by Stamkos tonite. Johnson in OT. Nice

Beautiful tying goal by Stamkos tonite. Johnson in OT. Nice
- Leafsandbolts

increasing his trade value i see haha

NMC likely Meehan's idea. NMC are cheap to add to a contract but sure tie a GM's hands. NMC are generally being replaced by limited trade lists of 10 to 12 teams.

I believe after last June, all Stamkos wanted to do was win the SC with Tampa. I expect Meehan was looking after his client's best interests so negotiations were slow last summer and they were interested in getting the best deal for Stamkos (and Meehan's cut). I also think Yzerman is worried about all the other signings he has to do and trying to keep to the cap. Stamko's playoffs also didn't knock Yzerman's socks off.

I expect Stamkos to resign in Tampa and I remember Arty will owe me a beer when it happens.
- Leafsandbolts

I don't I think stamkos goes to ufa and leaves

I don't I think stamkos goes to ufa and leaves
- todd1a

Then we are in agreement

Carle is beyond bad he is atrocious. That is all. Play Koekkoek please.

Carle is beyond bad he is atrocious. That is all. Play Koekkoek please.
- stammerman

Yes yes yes

You dont know shtt
- Fruitcakenipple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_cAw2c-INc

So let me guess... You think agents and teams don't negotiate prior to July 1st. You need to gtfo.

Most deals are done verbally before pen ever hits paper. Verbal agreements are usually not enforceable, certainly in this case it wouldn't be, but you sure as hell know where you stand when someone refuses the basic framework of a deal.
- madmike71

They weren't allowed to talk before July 1st... it's a league rule. Not just can't sign can't negotiate. If they do and are caught there could be big consequences including loss of picks and potentially nullification of the contract. I understand why your attacking someone cuz you assume teams should just break the rules the league and players union agreed to like there would be no consequences.

Hamilton was traded for a mid 1st + 2nd... Drouin is on strike. Are you sure I'm that crazy?
- Razzdazzle1

Does a bear poop in the woods? Yes, I think your nuts. Yzerman won't take and old fart on a dying contract. He wants similar age similar contract status.

Steve Yzerman should have resigned Stamkos before Jon Cooper. There has to be something to this rumor of unrest between coach and captain. This contract should have been signed and sealed months ago, and it still may be, but I just don't get the delay. Good luck, TB.
- Jojobubba

Stamkos has all the power in the negoiation. He's deciding all this for us.

Kucherov would not be denied

Do you think Buffalo regrets taking wrong guy off that line (Gregorenko)?

Kucherov would not be denied

Do you think Buffalo regrets taking wrong guy off that line (Gregorenko)?
- Artyukhin76

I will stick with ROR

Stamkos has all the power in the negoiation. He's deciding all this for us.
- Artyukhin76

Given that GMs can trade bad contracts like Luongo's, Clarkson's or Phaneuf's uglies, I believe Yzerman should make Stamkos a better offer moneywise with a trade window and list of acceptable trade destinations. Allowing Stamkos to walk for nothing would be a huge mistake so I can not believe it would ever happen.

Yzerman has the power to open his wallet and get a deal done.

Given that GMs can trade bad contracts like Luongo's, Clarkson's or Phaneuf's uglies, I believe Yzerman should make Stamkos a better offer moneywise with a trade window and list of acceptable trade destinations. Allowing Stamkos to walk for nothing would be a huge mistake so I can not believe it would ever happen.

Yzerman has the power to open his wallet and get a deal done.
- Leafsandbolts

If Stamkos doesn't want to sign, and he refuses to be traded what can't be done?you can't throw a bunch of money at one player that sacrifice the rest of the team. That's exactly what happened with the Lecavalier contract.

If Stamkos doesn't want to sign, and he refuses to be traded what can't be done?you can't throw a bunch of money at one player that sacrifice the rest of the team. That's exactly what happened with the Lecavalier contract.
- Artyukhin76

Current offer if as reported is just too low but that doesn't mean that Yzerman can't do anything.

Offer Kopitar money and see what happens since there is no way he is going to sign current offer before July 1st.

If he doesn't accept then you are right there is little you can do.

At least he scored a beauty last night.

Current offer if as reported is just too low but that doesn't mean that Yzerman can't do anything.

Offer Kopitar money and see what happens since there is no way he is going to sign current offer before July 1st.

If he doesn't accept then you are right there is little you can do.

At least he scored a beauty last night.
- Leafsandbolts

In actual value, the current contract is about equal to a 10 mil 7 year contract in LA due to the no income tax, I honestly don't believe it's an unfair offer at all. If he wants to have the highest cap hit in the league (or if thats a number he's worried about) than thats different, but I read an article a few weeks ago saying that at first glance it looks like a low ball number, but when all taxes and stuff are taking into account, it's actually not that far off from say a 7 year 10 mi contract in LA/TOR/NY...

Then we are in agreement
- Leafsandbolts

I don't think he play for the leafs or Tampa

Yzerman I think will move drouin to the jets for trouba sure yzerman will have to add more with drouin and I'm sure he will

Current offer if as reported is just too low but that doesn't mean that Yzerman can't do anything.

Offer Kopitar money and see what happens since there is no way he is going to sign current offer before July 1st.

If he doesn't accept then you are right there is little you can do.

At least he scored a beauty last night.
- Leafsandbolts

I have heard since the 8.5 offer the Lightning did make a new offer since then some where in the 9-10 range that stamkos already shot down. Personally I'm not giving him a penny more then 10 not the way he plays now since the leg injury.

I have heard since the 8.5 offer the Lightning did make a new offer since then some where in the 9-10 range that stamkos already shot down. Personally I'm not giving him a penny more then 10 not the way he plays now since the leg injury.
- todd1a

Didn't read or hear about the new offer but $10M seems like a fair limit.

I believe his linemates, position and ice time are bigger factors in his declining production than the broken tibia.

This free agency is the biggest financial career opportunity for Stamkos so I guess we shouldn't be too surprised that Meehan is playing tough.

In actual value, the current contract is about equal to a 10 mil 7 year contract in LA due to the no income tax, I honestly don't believe it's an unfair offer at all. If he wants to have the highest cap hit in the league (or if thats a number he's worried about) than thats different, but I read an article a few weeks ago saying that at first glance it looks like a low ball number, but when all taxes and stuff are taking into account, it's actually not that far off from say a 7 year 10 mi contract in LA/TOR/NY...
- j.boyd919

No guarantee that Stamkos will be in Florida for all 8 years.

I don't think it is a bad offer just not good enough to ensure that he doesn't test free agency.

Didn't read or hear about the new offer but $10M seems like a fair limit.

I believe his linemates, position and ice time are bigger factors in his declining production than the broken tibia.

This free agency is the biggest financial career opportunity for Stamkos so I guess we shouldn't be too surprised that Meehan is playing tough.
- Leafsandbolts

never heard new offer numbers but i know they gave him a new offer more then the 8.5 offer im just guessing in the 9-10 range.

What I hope for in terms of a Stamkos deal:

8 years, $76m. With an average annual hit $9.5 million per season.

Per season salary is, 11, 11, 10, 10, 9, 9, 8, 8.

The 1st six years has a full no movement clause and on the final two, a limited no trade clause.