Steve Stamkos?

[bustaheims]

Except I'm looking at it more from Tampa's perspective. You know you're in a difficult negotiation with Stamkos, you know (apparently) that Stamkos doesn't like Cooper and you're not overly thrilled with the results the team's gotten...why extend him? Even if you're ultimately prepared to eat it, it strikes me as drilling holes in the boat because, heck, you've got life rafts.

It is, admittedly, curious, but there also does seem to be a trend that has seen teams try to get away from the whole "lame duck" situation with their coaches, regardless of their intentions with them going forward. Though, the fact that it was a multi-year extension throws a bit of a wrench into that - though, the Leafs did the same with Carlyle, with the whole hockey world knowing that he was unlikely to last through the final season of his existing deal.

 

[Kin]

It is, admittedly, curious, but there also does seem to be a trend that has seen teams try to get away from the whole "lame duck" situation with their coaches, regardless of their intentions with them going forward. Though, the fact that it was a multi-year extension throws a bit of a wrench into that - though, the Leafs did the same with Carlyle, with the whole hockey world knowing that he was unlikely to last through the final season of his existing deal.

The trend you're talking about makes a fair bit of sense though in just about every situation but this one.

Anyways, the Cooper extension is just one piece of this. I just think that if Stamkos coming back was likely he'd have signed by now.

 

[Highlander]

When Babs refers to SS as Stammer I think you see the affection for him

 

[bustaheims]

Anyways, the Cooper extension is just one piece of this. I just think that if Stamkos coming back was likely he'd have signed by now.

There's some truth there. I get the impression Stamkos is unsure about whether or not he wants to remain in TBay. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[Highlander]

I have attended a lot of Loaf games in the Bay same as with the Yotes in AZ and it must be hard to play for the teams when the majority of fans in the stadium are from the comptitors home town.  A lot more Leaf jerseys than TB shirts.  Same as when the Leafs play at Glendale.
I think SS is ready to step into the real spotlight and play at home.

 

[hockeyfan1]

I have attended a lot of Loaf games in the Bay same as with the Yotes in AZ and it must be hard to play for the teams when the majority of fans in the stadium are from the comptitors home town.  A lot more Leaf jerseys than TB shirts.  Same as when the Leafs play at Glendale.
I think SS is ready to step into the real spotlight and play at home.

Everytime  the Leafs have played in South Florida, it might as well be a 'home'  game for them.  Stamkos certainly has taken note of this over time.  It hasn't escaped him.  Merely adds to his contemplation.

Would be nice to have him in a Leafs uni.

 

[herman]

Steven Stamkos	GP	G	A	Pts		Coach	W	L	OT
2008-09	79	23	23	46		Melrose/Tocchet	24	40	18
2009-10	82	51	44	95		Tocchet	34	36	12
2010-11	82	45	46	91		Tocchet/Boucher	46	25	11
2011-12	82	60	37	97		Boucher	38	36	8
2012-13	48	29	28	57		Boucher/Cooper	18	26	4
2013-14	37	25	15	40		Cooper	46	27	9
2014-15	82	43	29	72		Cooper	50	24	8

Was there an ulterior motive to our pursuit of Guy Boucher prior to the signing of Mike Babcock?

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

[youtube]kfXJqBKhAzI[/youtube]

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Bob McKenzie: All signs point to Stamkos leaving

If there is one take-away for me from a week or so of Stammerama in the self-proclaimed Centre of the Hockey Universe, it is as follows:

Steven Stamkos won't be playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning next season.

I can't say that ‎unequivocally, with 100 per cent, dead-set certainty, because, you know, never say never, there's always a chance, blah blah blah...

But c'mon, if Stamkos and the Bolts were going to live happily ever after they'd be at least a little cozied up by now, sort of like where it currently stands with Anze Kopitar and the Los Angeles Kings.

Stamkos and the Lightning aren't even holding hands.  ‎Absent a lightning bolt out of the blue, they're not going to either.

http://www.tsn.ca/all-signs-point-to-stamkos-leaving-tampa-1.410192

EDIT: Good point by CtB, I've added the author's name.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

If there is one take-away for me from a week or so of Stammerama in the self-proclaimed Centre of the Hockey Universe, it is as follows:

Steven Stamkos won't be playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning next season.

For the just-read-the-quote-don't-click-the-headline crowd, that's Bob McKenzie saying that.

Interesting that he brings up Detroit as a possible landing-spot, I could actually see a fit there if they can clear up some cap space.

You know, assuming the Leafs win the lottery and aren't interested.

 

[herman]

Stamkos looked so uninterested out there last night.

This is only from limited viewing, but he does not appear to be the go-to-guy on his line anymore. Even on the PP, the triggerman is Kucherov.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Even on the PP, the triggerman is Kucherov.

I actually noticed that too but forgot to bring it up. It was especially noticeable on the extended 5-on-3, I think they really only set him up for a single shot there. With that said, their powerplay also went 0-3 and didn't look very good. So they might want to re-think that strategy.

 

[herman]

Even on the PP, the triggerman is Kucherov.

I actually noticed that too but forgot to bring it up. It was especially noticeable on the extended 5-on-3, I think they really only set him up for a single shot there. With that said, their powerplay also went 0-3 and didn't look very good. So they might want to re-think that strategy.

I was a bit surprised by that during the game (not that Kucherov is a slouch). It could be that our PK was pretty dialed into obstructing Stamkos' shot and thus he resorted to being the playmaker, but Tampa opted for less movement and more quick releases once the puck got even close to Kucherov.

 

[Frank E]

What if Tampa is already moving on from Stamkos?  It looks like they're trying to develop a top line centre while Johnson is out, having someone else be the "go-to" on the PP, and basically inserting him wherever they have an opening in the top 6 while preparing for life without him.

That could be why Cooper and him aren't getting along, and why they're using him a little all over the place.  They don't really care to make him the focus of the offense, outside of trying to win hockey games, and are just treating him like a rental. 

 

[Kin]

What if Tampa is already moving on from Stamkos?  It looks like they're trying to develop a top line centre while Johnson is out, having someone else be the "go-to" on the PP, and basically inserting him wherever they have an opening in the top 6 while preparing for life without him.

That could be why Cooper and him aren't getting along, and why they're using him a little all over the place.  They don't really care to make him the focus of the offense, outside of trying to win hockey games, and are just treating him like a rental.

That's certainly possible. It does seem to be a weird thing to do with one of the game's best goal scorers while your team is having trouble scoring goals though.

 

[dappleganger]

If Stamkos does make it to free agency the furor around these parts are going to go to epic proportions. Bring it on I say.

 

[Arn]

This kind of reminds me of the will he won't be with Babcock last year. I was sceptical that would work out and therefore am going to be sceptical this will work out for the same reasons.

 

[herman]

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/lightning/stamkos-i-want-to-stay-with-lightning/2258457

There's a sense among some in the hockey world that Stamkos has already decided he's as good as gone.

"Absolutely not," Stamkos said. "Not even close. That's why people say, 'I've got a feeling. I think, speculate, there's so much information out there that's probably false. Like the ones about my parents moving to Tampa (which Stamkos said is not true). That just comes with the territory."

No one is surprised that Simmons is called out for yet another falsehood.

 

[bustaheims]

Doesn't surprise me at all that Simmons is making stuff up, but, at the same time, until he puts pen to paper, the whole "I want to stay with Tampa" stuff from Stamkos is the same kind of meaningless platitude just about every player spouts when they're in the least year of their contract.

 

[herman]

Doesn't surprise me at all that Simmons is making stuff up, but, at the same time, until he puts pen to paper, the whole "I want to stay with Tampa" stuff from Stamkos is the same kind of meaningless platitude just about every player spouts when they're in the least year of their contract.

For sure. It sounds like everyone who has ever gone to UFA.

Stamkos heating back up:
[tweet]678742440308789248[/tweet]