Erik Erlendsson: Hedman joins Stamkos in taking less in the hopes of gaining more Two days after locking up Steven Stamkos, the Lightning inked defenseman Victor Hedman to an eight-year deal.

Good read.

If I were a Tampa fan, I'd be proud as hell of my big two- Stamkos/Hedman. I respected them both already, but even more so now. Taking less to help the team be better. If only our big two (Kane/Toews) had taken a little less, we wouldn't be in such a mess every year. Also, Steve Yzerman is probably best GM in the league, especially after today. Best of luck to you guys

It's more like 16.038 or whatever for Keith and one of toews or Kane.

Yzerman is a winner. Bottom line. Wish the wings would of kept him over the clown we have here now.

Kane and Toews have both already won 3 Cups for Chicago, what more can you ask from those guys? They both aren't even 30 yet. So to call them selfish is kind of arrogant of you. If you were in their position, you would do the same thing. What more is there to accomplish when you've reached the ceiling already? They might as well get paid like champions. Stammer and Hedman haven't won a cup so they know what they have to do if they want to win it one day.

Kane and Toews have both already won 3 Cups for Chicago, what more can you ask from those guys? They both aren't even 30 yet. So to call them selfish is kind of arrogant of you. If you were in their position, you would do the same thing. What more is there to accomplish when you've reached the ceiling already? They might as well get paid like champions. Stammer and Hedman haven't won a cup so they know what they have to do if they want to win it one day.
- Raj8889

I don't think I called them selfish. I don't blame them for taking the money. I was simply saying that if they would have taken less, there might not have been a "ceiling" as you called it and they could have another cup or two on the way due to less cap constraints. That's all. Don't put words in my mouth.

@Glovig.
I get your point & agree with you. Always liked Yzerman as a classy player and he's showing his stuff now in management. The talent base in TB is set and as their younger guys get more experience & mature, they'll be cup favourites for years. Some people and commentators were critical of Yzerman even "allowing" Stammer to reach FA, but if SY gambeled, it paid off in spades.

Hedman for Norris 2017. Love this guy. There's very few players I'd take over doughty but he is deffinately up there for me.... (frank) karlsson

It's more like 16.038 or whatever for Keith and one of toews or Kane.
- Blackstrom2

Old CBA and they are paing Keith until he is 40. Hedman until 35.

Great read EE. Really good weak for TB fans.

Great signings. Locking up stammer and heddy longterm and at reasonable caphits is crucial. but now its crunch time. Lots of big decisions. $13m left in capspace this year to lock up kuch, killorn, nesty, and vladdy. Kuch may take half of that so stevie y has to make some moves that im sure the fans will disaprove of. Plus we only have $24.4m in capspace for 2017-18 and only 11 players under contract. Not enough $$ when we need to sign extensions for johnny, palat, sustr, koekkoek, drouin, and boyle. I would imagine bishop will be traded at some point. With the expansion draft looming we will not be able to keep both goalies and the cheaper, younger vasy should be the one who stays. But who else gets shipped? Sad to see part of the core broken up, but that is business in the salary cup era. Time will tell, but i have full confidence yzerman will continue to do whats best for our club.

If Dallas wants Bishop who do they give back? The Lightning need a right handed Dman, would Dallas give up Stephen Johns? I know the Dallas fans have no problem giving up one of Nemith or Oleksiak or Lindell but they are all lefties. The only other prospect they have I would want is Honka.

Great signings. Locking up stammer and heddy longterm and at reasonable caphits is crucial. but now its crunch time. Lots of big decisions. $13m left in capspace this year to lock up kuch, killorn, nesty, and vladdy. Kuch may take half of that so stevie y has to make some moves that im sure the fans will disaprove of. Plus we only have $24.4m in capspace for 2017-18 and only 11 players under contract. Not enough $$ when we need to sign extensions for johnny, palat, sustr, koekkoek, drouin, and boyle. I would imagine bishop will be traded at some point. With the expansion draft looming we will not be able to keep both goalies and the cheaper, younger vasy should be the one who stays. But who else gets shipped? Sad to see part of the core broken up, but that is business in the salary cup era. Time will tell, but i have full confidence yzerman will continue to do whats best for our club.
- zatara39

Filp has to go and you'll have just under 30 more like 28.5 with a retained, If Johnson at 6 Palat5.5 Sustr 3 Koekkoek 3 Boyle 2.5 Drouin 5? Is 24 so a little wiggle room if my numbers are off. If Filp doesn't go this summer he will next summer, he has a modified ntc which I believe opens up on the last year of the contract. If anyone can figure it out its Mr Yzerman but next year is next year lets just get our RFA's done and worry when it's time

If Dallas wants Bishop who do they give back? The Lightning need a right handed Dman, would Dallas give up Stephen Johns? I know the Dallas fans have no problem giving up one of Nemith or Oleksiak or Lindell but they are all lefties. The only other prospect they have I would want is Honka.
- stammerman

If we sign our RFA's with what we have plus Cally will be on LITR to start the season for at least two months keep them both. Goalies get hurt all the time and the return will be higher if a team is desperate to fill an injury void, if not the trade deadline you move one.(Bish)Let then play 50-50 and let Vasy mature with Bish here maybe he will learn to play the puck from him

Kane and Toews have both already won 3 Cups for Chicago, what more can you ask from those guys? They both aren't even 30 yet. So to call them selfish is kind of arrogant of you. If you were in their position, you would do the same thing. What more is there to accomplish when you've reached the ceiling already? They might as well get paid like champions. Stammer and Hedman haven't won a cup so they know what they have to do if they want to win it one day.
- Raj8889

True they've earned their deals and excuse me but didn't Kane just win the Art Ross and Hart, plus just behind OV for the Rocket. Toews was off a little but he's the captain and center piece of the team. They got paid what they're worth to the Hawks.

Old CBA and they are paing Keith until he is 40. Hedman until 35.

Great read EE. Really good weak for TB fans.
- Cloud

Okay? So that makes his comparison of two forwards to one forward and one d man stronger?

Filp has to go and you'll have just under 30 more like 28.5 with a retained, If Johnson at 6 Palat5.5 Sustr 3 Koekkoek 3 Boyle 2.5 Drouin 5? Is 24 so a little wiggle room if my numbers are off. If Filp doesn't go this summer he will next summer, he has a modified ntc which I believe opens up on the last year of the contract. If anyone can figure it out its Mr Yzerman but next year is next year lets just get our RFA's done and worry when it's time
- tpd11

You have to include whatever kuch, killorn and vladdy make into that $24.4m figure. So if kuch gets $7m caphit killorn $4 caphit and vladdy $2m caphit. That only leaves $11.4m to resign drouin, sustr, koek, palat, and johnson. That would def mean boyle is gone. Trading bish and filppula are highly likely but we would still have to take cap spac back. We will see. Tough decisions ahead.

You have to include whatever kuch, killorn and vladdy make into that $24.4m figure. So if kuch gets $7m caphit killorn $4 caphit and vladdy $2m caphit. That only leaves $11.4m to resign drouin, sustr, koek, palat, and johnson. That would def mean boyle is gone. Trading bish and filppula are highly likely but we would still have to take cap spac back. We will see. Tough decisions ahead.
- zatara39

Garrison might be a casualty by then as well. Sorry I thought the 24 was after our 13 this year

You have to include whatever kuch, killorn and vladdy make into that $24.4m figure. So if kuch gets $7m caphit killorn $4 caphit and vladdy $2m caphit. That only leaves $11.4m to resign drouin, sustr, koek, palat, and johnson. That would def mean boyle is gone. Trading bish and filppula are highly likely but we would still have to take cap spac back. We will see. Tough decisions ahead.
- zatara39

Clearly one of the bigger names is gone, Cally and his 5.8 looks vulnerable

Okay? So that makes his comparison of two forwards to one forward and one d man stronger?
- Blackstrom2

Okay? Lets use toews and Seabrook then for 18mill

If Edmonton were open to taking Filppula's cap hit (assuming it's still a concern), what would be a sweetener you guys would be willing to add? Names I've got interest in include Sustr, Namestnikov, and Blujus.

If Edmonton were open to taking Filppula's cap hit (assuming it's still a concern), what would be a sweetener you guys would be willing to add? Names I've got interest in include Sustr, Namestnikov, and Blujus.
- MaximumBone

Filppula and blujus for nurse

Filppula and blujus for nurse
- zatara39

Okay? Lets use toews and Seabrook then for 18mill
- Cloud

Except Keith sees more TOI. See how that works? Don't think too hard about it though.

Some juggling will definitely be in order for stevie, and some core names traded. However both callahan and filp have no movement clauses as well as Jason garrison and Coburn with no trade clauses . The up coming desicions will be very interesting.