Michael Stuart: This Was Steven Stamkos' Moment

So moving forward could the Lighting win without Stamkos? Would you move him if someone was interested to free up cap space?

So moving forward could the Lighting win without Stamkos? Would you move him if someone was interested to free up cap space?
- Tee56

I don't think it's a question of any other team being interested. He wasn't willing to waive last offseason; I don't expect anything will have changed, but you never know.

Glad you are able to fit in a few articles.

HNIC belaboured Stamko's failure to block Romanov's goal.

I thought he played very well but I would have enjoyed a few one timer goals.

Ps: What area of the law are majoring in?

Glad you are able to fit in a few articles.

HNIC belaboured Stamko's failure to block Romanov's goal.

I thought he played very well but I would have enjoyed a few one timer goals.

Ps: What area of the law are majoring in?
- Leafsandbolts

The last few weeks have been a little bit crazy. I've been commuting Edmonton --> Calgary for work so barely had time to watch/write. Things are starting to settle down a bit now.

I was an accountant in my previous career, so planning to go into tax law.

It’s a good thing he’s so valuable because trading him would solve a lot of problems and keeping the 3rd line is more important

At the time I was really hoping that in game 4 when the Lightning got that powerplay at the end of the period that it would be so fitting and awesome if Stamkos could end the series and clinch the cup with one of his one timers. Would have been a nice full circle feeling after last year and everything he's been through on his way to that moment. He came really close to doing it then but I guess eventually winning it on home ice worked out in the end as well.

So moving forward could the Lighting win without Stamkos? Would you move him if someone was interested to free up cap space?
- Tee56

Stamkos was asked last year by the team to be traded and he declined.
He’s on a great team that hides his warts he a defensive liability.
That’s why Cooper benched him in game vs Isles when Stamkos should have gotten the assist on the isles first goal with an awful giveaway. He played like 13 minutes

Stamkos isn't leaving until he's a grey-haired 38-year-old who spends his last two declining seasons in Toronto.

He has a home and life here. It's all he's known since he was drafted. He's happy here. Lots of reasons to stay besides taxes. With a full NMC, he has final say for the duration of his contract.

The last few weeks have been a little bit crazy. I've been commuting Edmonton --> Calgary for work so barely had time to watch/write. Things are starting to settle down a bit now.

I was an accountant in my previous career, so planning to go into tax law.
- Michael Stuart

Spouse is a trust, estates and tax lawyer.

Our family motto is "Semper est circa tributa" or "It's always about taxes"

Good luck.

Stamkos isn't leaving until he's a grey-haired 38-year-old who spends his last two declining seasons in Toronto.

He has a home and life here. It's all he's known since he was drafted. He's happy here. Lots of reasons to stay besides taxes. With a full NMC, he has final say for the duration of his contract.
- GalacticStone

I never said he was leaving. home really means nothing, I mean sales or rentals. We all know about the NMC. He lives the off-season in Toronto. He’s never leaving because of his way of life and especially anonymity. It’s his right to say no to a trade. He took less to stay here. Toronto was not the only team very interested.

Anonymity example, when we left the stadium Wednesday after all the celebrating on the ice there were not thousands outside the stadium. We have a great fanbase, just need it to keep growing.

Stamkos has it made. Big pay, low taxes, nightlife, warm climate, he’s till a star if he wants to visit Hockey country, but can likely walk the streets among Floridians and probably go relatively unbothered. And now he’s got Cups.

Life is good. Doubt he’d waive that clause for almost anything. Can’t say I blame him.

I never said he was leaving. home really means nothing, I mean sales or rentals. We all know about the NMC. He lives the off-season in Toronto. He’s never leaving because of his way of life and especially anonymity. It’s his right to say no to a trade. He took less to stay here. Toronto was not the only team very interested.

Anonymity example, when we left the stadium Wednesday after all the celebrating on the ice there were not thousands outside the stadium. We have a great fanbase, just need it to keep growing.
- Justbecause

yeah because it's a billion degrees in Tampa in August

yeah because it's a billion degrees in Tampa in August
- jimbro83

I live here, so let’s get this right. It’s a multi billion degrees here lol. But a pool, grill, season tickets lower bowel center ice for STH cheap, and property make it absolutely stupendous!

Yeah, when Stamkos tested free agency, they promised him the moon and stars to put on that Leafs jersey. And one day in the distant future, he might go home to play his last season or two. I just don't see him leaving any time soon.

Beaches. Bikini babes. Davis Island mansion with a jetski and boat lift in your backyard. Low taxes. And two freakin' Stanley Cups on this team. He took less money to stay here, so obviously he has other considerations in mind.

A lot of ex-Lightning players remain the Bay Area after retiring. I wouldn't be surprised to see Stamkos stay when the day comes - him and his five Cups.

90% of the Tampa and St. Pete residents could walk right past Stamkos, Hedman, Kuch, Point, or Vasi on the street and not even recognize them. That's gotta be great for the players to live their lives like normal people and not be surrounded by fans and weirdos every time they step outside the house or go to Trader Joes.

Yeah, when Stamkos tested free agency, they promised him the moon and stars to put on that Leafs jersey. And one day in the distant future, he might go home to play his last season or two. I just don't see him leaving any time soon.

Beaches. Bikini babes. Davis Island mansion with a jetski and boat lift in your backyard. Low taxes. And two freakin' Stanley Cups on this team. He took less money to stay here, so obviously he has other considerations in mind.

A lot of ex-Lightning players remain the Bay Area after retiring. I wouldn't be surprised to see Stamkos stay when the day comes - him and his five Cups.
- GalacticStone

So there were other teams that promised cash, not the moon and sun as you like to put it lmfao! He will not play back in TO, unless his overpaid way too long contract is over here in our beautiful city is done. He will absolutely stay here in our city because of all you mentioned. He no more made us win last year or this year. His ass was stuck to bench vs isles as he is a give away machine, ie in gm 6 vs isles. He was not hurt. I love being a STH here in Tampa lower bowl center ice is so cheap $185/GM is easy peasy in almost every other city it’s so much more. See you at the parade tomorrow on our boat! Tried to post pic of our boat 🤷🏻‍♀️

So there were other teams that promised cash, not the moon and sun as you like to put it lmfao! He will not play back in TO, unless his overpaid way too long contract is over here in our beautiful city is done. He will absolutely stay here in our city because of all you mentioned. He no more made us win last year or this year. His ass was stuck to bench vs isles as he is a give away machine, ie in gm 6 vs isles. He was not hurt. I love being a STH here in Tampa lower bowl center ice is so cheap $185/GM is easy peasy in almost every other city it’s so much more. See you at the parade tomorrow on our boat! Tried to post pic of our boat 🤷🏻‍♀️
- Justbecause

The boat parade has already started for the "Number One Bullpoop" crew. Too bad their sponsor is a pisswater beer.

Stamkos gets a bad rap defensively. His fancy stats actually look really good during this year's run - he wasn't dead weight.

Side note : "Number One Bullshiit" is a term used by UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov. It might be that Kuch is a fan of Khabib and the UFC.

- GalacticStone

Old news from yesterday lol. Try to keep up lol

The boat parade has already started for the "Number One Bullpoop" crew. Too bad their sponsor is a pisswater beer.

Stamkos gets a bad rap defensively. His fancy stats actually look really good during this year's run - he wasn't dead weight.
- GalacticStone

I’d rather be homeless than represent piss water. So many great beers in the world. Kucherov should be repping his dealer. More sniffing that night than at the addiction facility White Sands lol

Interesting take on ridding Tampa of McDonnagh's contract:

https://thehockeywriters....n-lightnings-trade-block/

Telling Ryan he will be exposed to Seattle and a minor pick will be added so they will take him may prompt him to waive his NTC to a team that Ryan wishes to play for. So maybe he gets traded to say the Bruins for draft picks, and Tampa just has to get another $3- 5M to re-sign Coleman and a couple of minor contracts. If they dump a little more they sign Oleksiak. There is a way, and McDonagh may be the key.

That shirt lmao.

That shirt lmao.
- Izzo

Too bad the Rays couldn't get the job done, or Kuch would have three trophies.