Dats is gone

[pixburgher66]

He could personally prefer to play for a smaller market. If I was JT or Stamkos, I'd stay far far far away from TO. The 'savior' expectations are too much.....

Yeah, but there's always that part of you that wants to be the guy that does it. Heck, look at LeBron (different in that LeBron is the best player in the league, and in a league where one guy can really win it for you). That has to play a role in his mind. Go home. Win for the first time since 1967. Even if that doesn't ultimately make his choice for him, it has to be a huge factor. I wouldn't do it because I'm personally easy to crack, but most pro-athletes aren't. He's been pretty sheltered in TB though.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Hearing the Isles might be in on Stamkos as well. That's from NY outlets and media though....any one else suggest that too or am I just seeing through a homer lens?

It would be a weird fit. Who knows what about anything but I can't see the Isles attracting someone like that without goal-capable wingers and they just don't have that right now.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

The whole "Toronto market is the devil" thing is absurd. Players avoided Toronto because the Leafs sucked, not because they were afraid of Steve Simmons. Give me a break.

The only reason a player would want to play in a non-hockey market in the States is if he doesn't want to be recognised pretty much everywhere he goes. If that's Stamkos' case then fine but he lives here in the off-season and he's spotted all the time and it doesn't seem to bother him or any of the other dozens of NHLers who spend their summers back home here in Southern Ontario or anywhere in Canada for that matter.

And after watching Lebron cry his eyes out after ending a similar title drought for his hometown, who the hell wouldn't want that feeling by doing the same for the Leafs?

 

[pixburgher66]

The whole "Toronto market is the devil" thing is absurd. Players avoided Toronto because the Leafs sucked, not because they were afraid of Steve Simmons. Give me a break.

The only reason a player would want to play in a non-hockey market in the States is if he doesn't want to be recognised pretty much everywhere he goes. If that's Stamkos' case then fine but he lives here in the off-season and he's spotted all the time and it doesn't seem to bother him or any of the other dozens of NHLers who spend their summers back home here in Southern Ontario or anywhere in Canada for that matter.

And after watching Lebron cry his eyes out after ending a similar title drought for his hometown, who the hell wouldn't want that feeling by doing the same for the Leafs?

And multiplied by about 50.

 

[Puck082]

It would be a weird fit. Who knows what about anything but I can't see the Isles attracting someone like that without goal-capable wingers and they just don't have that right now.

I agree with that. Goal capable wingers seems to be their biggest issue right now.

 

[Puck082]

The whole "Toronto market is the devil" thing is absurd. Players avoided Toronto because the Leafs sucked, not because they were afraid of Steve Simmons. Give me a break.

The only reason a player would want to play in a non-hockey market in the States is if he doesn't want to be recognised pretty much everywhere he goes. If that's Stamkos' case then fine but he lives here in the off-season and he's spotted all the time and it doesn't seem to bother him or any of the other dozens of NHLers who spend their summers back home here in Southern Ontario or anywhere in Canada for that matter.

And after watching Lebron cry his eyes out after ending a similar title drought for his hometown, who the hell wouldn't want that feeling by doing the same for the Leafs?

I'll give you a hint: He loves hot dogs and was most recently robbed of a Conn Smythe......

 

[pixburgher66]

I'll give you a hint: He loves hot dogs and was most recently robbed of a Conn Smythe......

Being fair here, Phil still was very successful in Toronto, the team just sucked. Was he treated like crap from a segment on the media? Absolutely. But he's also said often that he loves Toronto.

 

[DragonfromTO]

They are, but they also can make some moves since they have young, cheap talent they could rely on, if they so choose. Lupul, Laich, JvR, Michalek, Greening. Heck, it's likely they move these guys anyway, since they have to, you know, have a defense core. So for this year, it's possible. Where they could get in trouble is a few years down the road. Nylander and Gauthier are up for RFA after 2018, then basically all their prospects are up after 2019.

Oh no, what if there isn't enough money to pay Gauthier?!?!

 

[pixburgher66]

Oh no, what if there isn't enough money to pay Gauthier?!?!

Okay, well obviously one of these is a bit more pressing...

 

[Comeds]

I am hearing Stamkos wants to play with his longtime friend PK.

 

[DragonfromTO]

Okay, well obviously one of these is something that will actually happen

 

[pixburgher66]

I'm hearing that the league has made a new rule in which the team that wins the Stanley Cup doesn't have to abide by the salary cap the following year, and as such E5 Stamkos to Pens.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I'm hearing that the league has made a new rule in which the team that wins the Stanley Cup doesn't have to abide by the salary cap the following year, and as such E5 Stamkos to Pens.

I also heard rumo(u)rs that the league is going to start allowing teams to cash in their Wins in the Bank for extra cap space.

 

[dash]

I'm hearing that the league has made a new rule in which the team that wins the Stanley Cup doesn't have to abide by the salary cap the following year, and as such E5 Stamkos to Pens.

Makes sense, after all they rigged the lottery so the Pens landed Crosby.

 

[DevilishWon]

He could personally prefer to play for a smaller market. If I was JT or Stamkos, I'd stay far far far away from TO. The 'savior' expectations are too much.....

Because along those same lines they will 'crucify' him if he doesn't save them

 

[pixburgher66]

Makes sense, after all they rigged the lottery so the Pens landed Crosby.

Could be worse, could be rigged like the NBA. Who calls fouls? Geez.

 

[dash]

Could be worse, could be rigged like the NBA. Who calls fouls? Geez.

I'm happy for the long suffering fans of Cleveland, even though truth be told, I was rooting for Golden State. Although I'm a little tired of Steph Curry's wife piping up on twitter.

 

[pixburgher66]

I'm happy for the long suffering fans of Cleveland, even though truth be told, I was rooting for Golden State. Although I'm a little tired of Steph Curry's wife piping up on twitter.

I very casually follow the Cavs. They're the closest NBA team to me anyway. I'm sure I'll get annoyed with this very soon though, as Clevelanders throw their single championship in the face of Pittsburgh because of little man syndrome. So, temporarily I'm happy for them, but I know somehow they'll use this to fuel the "rivalry" they have with Pittsburgh. Last night some older yinzers were pissed that Pittsburghers were happy for Cleveland. Dude, in my lifetime the Steelers are 34-9 vs. Cleveland, with most of those wins coming in the first few years of my life. I don't care about them.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Makes sense, after all they rigged the lottery so the Pens landed Crosby.

 

[dash]

View attachment 129592

I figure Pens fans can't see or hear me with all the Cup rings in their eyes and ears (lol)