Stamkos stays in Tampa [8 years, $8.5mil AAV]

[Kin]

There really has to be something else to the story. Why wouldn't he have signed this a year ago?

Maybe his UFA offers weren't what he thought they might be?

 

[Bullfrog]

I really can't get over this cap hit.

There really has to be something else to the story. Why wouldn't he have signed this a year ago?

He's had the opportunity to speak with other teams in the last few days. I suppose he at least wanted that opportunity.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

There really has to be something else to the story. Why wouldn't he have signed this a year ago?

Maybe his UFA offers weren't what he thought they might be?

Or maybe he just wanted to take as much time as possible and explore all options before making a life-altering decision?

 

[McGarnagle]

There really has to be something else to the story. Why wouldn't he have signed this a year ago?

Maybe his UFA offers weren't what he thought they might be?

I guess, but I certainly would have put good money on at least 4 teams willing to spend 10+.

 

[jonlleafs]

For those who wanted him to come here, getting Matthews softens the blow.

No getting Jimmy Vesey softens the blow.  Matthews was always the given (well after the lottery)

 

[L K]

There really has to be something else to the story. Why wouldn't he have signed this a year ago?

Maybe his UFA offers weren't what he thought they might be?

Or maybe he just wanted to take as much time as possible and explore all options before making a life-altering decision?

It's another good reminder that Toronto means nothing to players in the NHL.  We don't wait for UFAs, we need to develop our own stars because they never leave to come here.

 

[TBLeafer]

Still no peep outta Tampa or the NHL, or Sportsnet, or ESPN, just a couple McKenzie retweets.

Has McKenzie jumped the gun again?  You know he did with Babcock to Buffalo last year.

 

[Boston Leaf]

Great deal for Tampa with the money... I was not in favor of Stamkos signing with TO for a huge contract which more than likely would have been higher...

 

[Frank E]

Still no peep outta Tampa or the NHL, or Sportsnet, or ESPN, just a couple McKenzie retweets.

Has McKenzie jumped the gun again?  You know he did with Babcock to Buffalo last year.

That's a good point.  Nothing there on Sportnet's page.

 

[ZBBM]

For what it's worth, tsn.ca deleted the story it had up from about 4:05 to 4:30 announcing the re-sign.

Hmmmmmmm

EDIT: but now it's back! 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

For what it's worth, tsn.ca deleted the story it had up from about 4:05 to 4:30 announcing the re-sign.

You mean the one on their front page under the Subban for Weber story?

 

[TimKerr]

It's still there: http://www.tsn.ca/stamkos-to-sign-eight-year-68-million-deal-with-lightning-1.517913

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Joe Smith ‏@TBTimes_JSmith  2 minutes ago
Can confirm Steven Stamkos staying with #tblightning. @TSNBobMcKenzie had it first

Tampa Bay beat reporter. Sorry guys.

 

[McGarnagle]

LeBrun checked on sign and trade potential - says he's signed to play for the lightning. Book closed, but I'm still pretty baffled.

 

[ZBBM]

Yep, you guys are right, I must have scanned right past it.  McKenzie is right again, as usual.

 

[rdowdall]

So do we start the Tavares thread now, or should we wait a couple months?

 

[Tigger]

So do we start the Tavares thread now, or should we wait a couple months?

There isn't one?

 

[McGarnagle]

So do we start the Tavares thread now, or should we wait a couple months?

Wait until someone's dad reports on it.

 

[TBLeafer]

Its been an hour and NO official word????!!!!

 

[bustaheims]

Well, that settles that. This felt like the most likely outcome for me until a few weeks ago, so, no huge surprise.