We all know that Steven Stamkos is going to get paid, the question is by whom? Let me start this by saying that I really do think that the Lighting will resign Stamkos, the thing is how much is that one player worth to his team. The rumors out there are that a new contract for Stammer will be in the 10-12 million dollars per season range for 8 years. This agreement would be the one of the biggest deals in the history of the NHL and would keep Stamkos under contract until he’s 35. Tampa’s captain has three choices in my mind, and here they are.
1. Take the money and run.
If Stamkos can get 10-12 million from Tampa he could easily get 12-15 million on the open market. Stamkos would be the first player of his skill and recognition to go to free agency since the salary cap was introduced. Every team in the league would want him which would drive up his salary. Teams like the Rangers, Canadiens, and Leafs (more on them later) would break the bank to get him. Where teams like the Jets, Devils, and Coyotes could see him as a way to make their franchises main stream.
I can’t see Stamkos casing the money, but who knows if he was offered let’s say 15 million to play for a new team it would be pretty hard to say no.
2. Homecoming king.
Stamkos was born in and grew up in Markham, Ontario, a 32 minute drive from the Air Canada Center. I know that Stamkos to the Toronto Maple Leafs rumors have been talked about ad nauseam, but they do make some sense. If and I do mean if Steven were to sign with the Leafs he would become the biggest star in town. Stamkos choosing to “return home” would be a major lift to the spirits of all the Leaf fans out there, “we may be rebuilding but at least we got Stamkos.”
Fans of the Leafs better hope that Tampa Bay wins the Cup this year because I can’t see Stamkos going to Toronto unless he has won a Cup already.
3. I think I’ll stay here.
The most likely outcome of all this is that Steven Stamkos stays right where he is. He is on a team that is looking like it could be a threat to win the Cup for years; he lives in a beautiful city, and best of all he can live his life without being mobbed by the media.
So that’s what I think. What do you guys think? How much do you think Stamkos will sign for? Would you sign Stamkos? And if so how much would you spend?
As always happy hockey.
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Bang on
8 yrs 11.25/yr to stay in Tampa.
11.25 million/year that is
who cares-----did anyone see the Game 6--2 times he had a chance to be the difference maker and failed both times--oh yeah he scored ZERO goals in the Finals---waste your money.
Twelve to fifteen million in the open market? I do not think that he is worth that much. Great sniper and great offensive threat, but he lacks the well-rounded game that warrants that kind of cash. I would not pay him any more than 10 million, which happens to be what Ovechkin gets.
Thank you everyone for committing.
I think Stamkos will get 11.5 at 8 years
9.5 is the max I would pay for him... he not been the same since he broke his leg