So how is this game going to end the Patriots have some miracle Hail Mary or some poop you know they're going to win
- gerbe75pts

I'm glad they didn't I really hate Brady.

$68M being a slap in the face is so disconnected from reality that it's hard to believe, but that said, I agree.
- kingcong39

The article I read indicated the offer wasn't accepted, but Stamkos' people were encouraged by the initial offer and we're going to work toward getting a deal done around a different number.

Cam Newton

I get that, but he could push 12 mil AAV in free agency. That's a lot of your cap to one guy with key RFA's due.

Maybe ottawa can repay us for lehner by giving us Hoffman at a discount.
- Sabresfan-365

I've been tough on Lehner but he has played well his last two games.
But in saying that, it has only been two games.
Was he worth a first round pick?
I guess we shall see.
But I have been impressed with him the past two games.

Cam Newton
- homiedclown

We could use a little 89 around here.

I get that, but he could push 12 mil AAV in free agency. That's a lot of your cap to one guy with key RFA's due.

Maybe ottawa can repay us for lehner by giving us Hoffman at a discount.
- Sabresfan-365

I'd pay the 12.

Just think - Moulson and Kane combine for about 10.5 in cap space and have 14 goals between the two of them. Add Gionta and it's 15 mil for 18 goals so far. Stamkos has 20 alone.

He's the 2nd best goal scorer of this generation. It's worth it

I'd pay the 12.

Just think - Moulson and Kane combine for about 10.5 in cap space and have 14 goals between the two of them. Add Gionta and it's 15 mil for 18 goals so far. Stamkos has 20 alone.

He's the 2nd best goal scorer of this generation. It's worth it
- sbroads24

But you say Gionta, Kane and Moulson all have bad contracts. By measuring against those bad contracts, you'll probably get another one.

I might give him $66.5 over 7, but if that don't do it I'd let someone else carry that albatross. He's worth more for the first few years, but the term and the backend is too much for me.

EDIT: if he would sign $36M over 3, I would write that deal.

But you say Gionta, Kane and Moulson all have bad contracts. By measuring against those bad contracts, you'll probably get another one.

I might give him $66.5 over 7, but if that don't do it I'd let someone else carry that albatross. He's worth more for the first few years, but the term and the backend is too much for me.
- Der Kaiser

I don't think Kane has a bad deal.

I'd probably want 10 per year as opposed to 12, but just look at what Stamkos produces. You add a 40 goal scorer to this lineup for nothing but cap space, I think it's a no-brainer

I'd pay the 12.

Just think - Moulson and Kane combine for about 10.5 in cap space and have 14 goals between the two of them. Add Gionta and it's 15 mil for 18 goals so far. Stamkos has 20 alone.

He's the 2nd best goal scorer of this generation. It's worth it
- sbroads24

Id really have to think about it. I get that he brings a lot offensively but paying him that would mean sacrificing a fair bit of depth which is a significant problem in the first place. 12 mil for stamkos, what does eichel eventually get? Risto? Reinhart? This doesn't even include any potential top pairing partner we get for risto either. It could create a very top heavy team, which is what we are right now.

Doesn't Stamkos have the 2nd most goals to Ovechkin over the last 5 years or so?
- sbroads24

Production is down since his injury . Now with a really soft Canadian dollar . Is any player worth that much money with a cap that might actually be going down.

Id really have to think about it. I get that he brings a lot offensively but paying him that would mean sacrificing a fair bit of depth which is a significant problem in the first place. 12 mil for stamkos, what does eichel eventually get? Risto? Reinhart? This doesn't even include any potential top pairing partner we get for risto either. It could create a very top heavy team, which is what we are right now.
- Sabresfan-365

People might hate to hear this, but if you sign Stamkos you trade Reinhart after his ELC.

Risto-6
O'Reilly- 7.5
Kane -5.2
Eichel- 8
Stamkos 12

Move out Bogo, Gorges, Moulson, Gionta. You have 30+ mil to fill out the roster

Id really have to think about it. I get that he brings a lot offensively but paying him that would mean sacrificing a fair bit of depth which is a significant problem in the first place. 12 mil for stamkos, what does eichel eventually get? Risto? Reinhart? This doesn't even include any potential top pairing partner we get for risto either. It could create a very top heavy team, which is what we are right now.
- Sabresfan-365

If all those other guys produce like Stamkos does, then "Pay the man his money".

It's the tail on the Stamkos deal that worries me, I don't want to be committed to big $ as his career declines, aka Moulson. So I'd give him $36M over 3.

Not really.
Coleslaw has never made it onto any plate of mine.
But then again, neither have microwave chicken wings either.
- BuffaloHardHat

Too Bad , I have some great coleslaw in my time that made the meal.

People might hate to hear this, but if you sign Stamkos you trade Reinhart after his ELC.

Risto-6
O'Reilly- 7.5
Kane -5.2
Eichel- 8
Stamkos 12

Move out Bogo, Gorges, Moulson, Gionta. You have 30+ mil to fill out the roster
- sbroads24

Fair enough, Im just hesitant about committing that kind of money to a guy who's only truly worth his paycheque in 1/3 zones. Like if this discussion was about Kopitar I wouldn't think twice about paying him (if he was stammers age).

Edit: I dont think they'd move all four guys out either

Production is down since his injury . Now with a really soft Canadian dollar . Is any player worth that much money with a cap that might actually be going down.
- Maximum Signal

It hasn't been down that much at all actually.

He still produces a lot per 60 minutes. They just have a deep team and he isn't solely relied on anymore

It hasn't been down that much at all actually.

He still produces a lot per 60 minutes. They just have a deep team and he isn't solely relied on anymore
- sbroads24

Sugar coat it all you want . Down since the injury and the cap may being going down . If Tampa signs him to an outrageous deal it means losing others when contracts come due. How much money is enough . Tampa has an advantage also with no state income tax.

Production is down since his injury . Now with a really soft Canadian dollar . Is any player worth that much money with a cap that might actually be going down.
- Maximum Signal

He has scored since the injury, but its a fair point, that was an awful injury. I wouldnt do it, certainly wouldnt try to trade for him. Thought i heard murray really likes him. So my guess is we make a play in free agency, and toronto matches or ups anything we offer. So it all works itself out.

Sugar coat it all you want . Down since the injury and the cap may being going down . If any Tampa signs him to an outrageous deal it means losing others when contracts come due. How much money is enough . Tampa has an advantage also with no state income tax.
- Maximum Signal

You can call it sugar coating when it doesn't fit your narrative but it's the truth. His production is down slightly, as is scoring in general

He was playing 22 minutes a night 4 years ago when he and St. Louis were there only go to guys. He's under 20 minutes now. They have other talented players.

Just like when we become a good team, O'Reilly and Kane won't be 1 and 3 respectively in forward ice time

People might hate to hear this, but if you sign Stamkos you trade Reinhart after his ELC.

Risto-6
O'Reilly- 7.5
Kane -5.2
Eichel- 8
Stamkos 12

Move out Bogo, Gorges, Moulson, Gionta. You have 30+ mil to fill out the roster
- sbroads24

This team needs D and Bogo is solid on D especially now that he isn't tutoring McCabe so I wouldn't put him in the ditch category.

Good luck getting rid of Moulson with that contract and how worthless he is playing. Buyout but that still counts against the cap.

If the cap goes down, a lot of teams will be in trouble. Maybe they do that compliance buyout again?

This team needs D and Bogo is solid on D especially now that he isn't tutoring McCabe so I wouldn't put him in the ditch category.

Good luck getting rid of Moulson with that contract and how worthless he is playing. Buyout but that still counts against the cap.
- GilPerreault11

Are you really blaming McCabe for Bogosian being awful to start this season?

- BuffaloHardHat

Lol, my take exactly.

If all those other guys produce like Stamkos does, then "Pay the man his money".

It's the tail on the Stamkos deal that worries me, I don't want to be committed to big $ as his career declines, aka Moulson. So I'd give him $36M over 3.
- Der Kaiser

I'd go to 3 for $40M, but it's irrelevant. We already have our top 2 centers. ROR hates playing wing, just like Stamkos, and unless you want to move Jack there full time(I don't) there's really no way to make it work with Stamkos.

Are you really blaming McCabe for Bogosian being awful to start this season?
- sbroads24

Awful is your opinion slanted by your love lost for Myers. But in part yes, playing with McCabe affected his play. He has looked a lot better playing with Risto and Bylsma didn't think he played so awful, as you did, because he put him on the #1 D unit.

I always question your assessment of D, but it's fun questioning it

Awful is your opinion slanted by your love lost for Myers. But in part yes, playing with McCabe affected his play. He has looked a lot better playing with Risto and Bylsma didn't think he played so awful, as you did, because he put him on the #1 D unit.

I always question your assessment of D, but it's fun questioning it
- GilPerreault11

It really wasn't just an opinion, he was awful, and pretty much everyone saw it. Even since he's been with Risto, they have been dominated with shots and chances against. He's made that pair no better than Gorges did.

But at least now I know why you will have a vendetta against McCabe.