Steven Stamkos stays in Tampa Bay, 8.5mil x 8yrs

[nucci]

He's worth it today but will he be worth it in 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, 7 years?

You could probably ask that about any long term contract. Only took Moulson one year to not be worth his deal

[CallawaySabres]

I don't doubt that Buffalo has every intention to be the highest bidder but in my eyes, the outcome does not change much (except making the Leafs have to pay more)

[Eleven]

Honest question:  How often has the premier free agent, who comes along only so often, won the Cup with the team that signs him? (Not counting being re-signed by original team.)  Certainly, NYR's efforts have failed for over two decades.  I'm having trouble coming up with a team that spent huge on a UFA and then won. Didn't work for the Devils.  Didn't work for the Red Wings (Green).  Didn't work for the Phlyers.  Etc.

[LGR4GM]

Honest question:  How often has the premier free agent, who comes along only so often, won the Cup with the team that signs him? (Not counting being re-signed by original team.)  Certainly, NYR's efforts have failed for over two decades.  I'm having trouble coming up with a team that spent huge on a UFA and then won. Didn't work for the Devils.  Didn't work for the Red Wings (Green).  Didn't work for the Phlyers.  Etc.

I can't think of anyone in the Modern Era (2005 to now). I remember Brad Richards and how great he was... then he shat the bed

[Eleven]

I can't think of anyone in the Modern Era (2005 to now). I remember Brad Richards and how great he was... then he shat the bed

 

So now there are two reasons I'm wary.  The above, and the fact that he's missed significant time two out of the last three reasons.

 

I really don't think I want the Sabres blowing $10M+ on him.  I think I'm there now.

[LGR4GM]

Can we list the top UFA's for the past decade? I don't remember all of them but it never does seem to work as well as it should. That said, Stamkos is the best player to his UFA in the modern era.

[nucci]

Honest question:  How often has the premier free agent, who comes along only so often, won the Cup with the team that signs him? (Not counting being re-signed by original team.)  Certainly, NYR's efforts have failed for over two decades.  I'm having trouble coming up with a team that spent huge on a UFA and then won. Didn't work for the Devils.  Didn't work for the Red Wings (Green).  Didn't work for the Phlyers.  Etc.

Legitimate question....most athletes seem to have a big letdown once they secure their big, final contract....maybe not consciously but it happens often

[Lanny]

Honest question:  How often has the premier free agent, who comes along only so often, won the Cup with the team that signs him? (Not counting being re-signed by original team.)  Certainly, NYR's efforts have failed for over two decades.  I'm having trouble coming up with a team that spent huge on a UFA and then won. Didn't work for the Devils.  Didn't work for the Red Wings (Green).  Didn't work for the Phlyers.  Etc.

Hossa?

[LGR4GM]

I was thinking Hossa and Chara are the only two who were big name UFA's that left the teams and then went on to win elsewhere. 

[LastPommerFan]

Chara and Hossa are the only two that come to mind.

[3putt]

Honest question:  How often has the premier free agent, who comes along only so often, won the Cup with the team that signs him? (Not counting being re-signed by original team.)  Certainly, NYR's efforts have failed for over two decades.  I'm having trouble coming up with a team that spent huge on a UFA and then won. Didn't work for the Devils.  Didn't work for the Red Wings (Green).  Didn't work for the Phlyers.  Etc.

Marian Hossa

[nfreeman]

I was thinking Hossa and Chara are the only two who were big name UFA's that left the teams and then went on to win elsewhere. 

 

Beat me to it. 

 

I'd also include Niedermayer (and maybe Pronger, who was traded in an auction, not a UFA, but there are still similarities in the situations)

[Randall Flagg]

Those are also the only guys in Stamkos' tier talent-wise, FWIW.

[Eleven]

Can we list the top UFA's for the past decade? I don't remember all of them but it never does seem to work as well as it should. That said, Stamkos is the best player to his UFA in the modern era.

 

I can at least get it started:

 

2015--Brad Richards, Mike Green

2014--Brad Richards, Jarome Iginla

2013--Daniel Alfredsson, Mark Mancari

2012--Jaromir Jagr?  Not a big year.

[3putt]

Kessel was sort.of in that category.

[sabresith]

Hossa?

That's what I was thinking. He went to Detroit first and lost, right? Then the next season went to Chicago and got the long term deal. But I could totally be remembering this wrong.

[LastPommerFan]

Ville Leino?

[Eleven]

I was thinking Hossa and Chara are the only two who were big name UFA's that left the teams and then went on to win elsewhere. 

 

So let's look at these two, 'cause I think you're right.

 

Hossa was a cog in a large machine.  He fit around the core and not the other way 'round.

 

Chara legitimately became the centerpiece of the Boston Bruins, but it still took 5 years to build the team around him.

[TrueBlueGED]

Hossa?

Hey, if I could get Stamkos for 80% of his market value like Chicago did with Hossa, I'd be leading the charge to do so :)

[Crusader1969]

Though it would be instant gratification if the Sabres signed Stamkos but I'm in the camp where I hope the Sabres are just driving up the price to $12 million territory for the Leafs.

 

Leafs would then put them well over the cap, not sure how this would effect the bonus's they would be able to offer Vesey

 

In 2 years how much worse is:

Vesey     Eichel    Reinhart

Kane      O'Reilly  Nylander

 

compared to 

 

Nylander Eichel  Reinhart

Kane   Stamkos  O'Reilly

 

 

and is it $10 million better?

 

Money you could use to build one of the top 3rd lines in the NHL or a legit #2 D man to play next to Risto.

 

Thoughts?

[spndnchz]

So now there are two reasons I'm wary.  The above, and the fact that he's missed significant time two out of the last three reasons.

 

I really don't think I want the Sabres blowing $10M+ on him.  I think I'm there now.

 

Pre-buyers-remourse.

[Eleven]

Hey, if I could get Stamkos for 80% of his market value like Chicago did with Hossa, I'd be leading the charge to do so :)

 

And that's a good point, too.  Hossa took less than his worth because he saw an immediate winning situation.

Though it would be instant gratification if the Sabres signed Stamkos but I'm in the camp where I hope the Sabres are just driving up the price to $12 million territory for the Leafs.

 

Leafs would then put them well over the cap, not sure how this would effect the bonus's they would be able to offer Vesey

 

In 2 years how much worse is:

Vesey     Eichel    Reinhart

Kane      O'Reilly  Nylander

 

compared to 

 

Nylander Eichel  Reinhart

Kane   Stamkos  O'Reilly

 

 

and is it $10 million better?

 

Money you could use to build one of the top 3rd lines in the NHL or a legit #2 D man to play next to Risto.

 

Thoughts?

 

I'm right there with you.

[nucci]

Though it would be instant gratification if the Sabres signed Stamkos but I'm in the camp where I hope the Sabres are just driving up the price to $12 million territory for the Leafs.

 

Leafs would then put them well over the cap, not sure how this would effect the bonus's they would be able to offer Vesey

 

In 2 years how much worse is:

Vesey     Eichel    Reinhart

Kane      O'Reilly  Nylander

 

compared to 

 

Nylander Eichel  Reinhart

Kane   Stamkos  O'Reilly

 

 

and is it $10 million better?

 

Money you could use to build one of the top 3rd lines in the NHL or a legit #2 D man to play next to Risto.

 

Thoughts?

Sabres aren't driving up the price. They are negotiating and will make an offer. Stamkos either accepts, declines, or counters.

[TrueBlueGED]

And that's a good point, too. Hossa took less than his worth because he saw an immediate winning situation.

 

 

I'm right there with you.

And signed a 14 year contract to help the cap.

[Thorner]

I think the '02 Red Wings had a bunch of UFAs. Brett Hull comes to mind. Not so recent, but they were an amazing team. 

 

Hossa is a good exammple. As is Chara and Niedermayer.

 

So it does happen.