[Re-Signing] Steven Stamkos

[blayze]

He probably prioritized winning a cup above all else.

I don't think a couple million extra dollars would have swayed him one way or another.

[The Bottlenecker]

Damn, I really hoped he would come to Toronto, but completely understand his decision to stay in TB; a team that has made it to the final four in the playoffs twice in the last two years. He isn't the money grabbing schmuck some thought he would be (speculation of a 12 million dollar payday, really?!) and instead committed to the one team that he has played for and had succes with. Good on you Stammer, but I still wish you had chosen to come to Toronto.

[BDog]

Does this signing mean we have seen the last of Bishop as a Bolt?

I don't see his value being any higher than it is right now. The closer we get to the expansion draft the more desperate Yzerman will be to get at least something for him.

[2014olympicgold]

Does this signing mean we have seen the last of Bishop as a Bolt?

I don't see his value being any higher than it is right now. The closer we get to the expansion draft the more desperate Yzerman will be to get at least something for him.

They gotta make room for Hedman that’s for sure.

[Axeman33]

Does this signing mean we have seen the last of Bishop as a Bolt?

I don't see his value being any higher than it is right now. The closer we get to the expansion draft the more desperate Yzerman will be to get at least something for him.

If I had to guess, I'd say Bishop is the odd man out, especially with the situation of the expansion draft looming.

[Pengwin7]

Bishop is a goner, he has to be.

TB is currently at 10F/6D/2G, $63.7m used, $7.3m remaining.
Pending:
RFA Kucherov. Kucherov is a must-sign and he's going to be seeking F.Forsberg like money: 6yr @ $6m.
This would put TB @ $69.7m used, $1.3m remaining (for 3F/1D).
So - just signing Kucherov, just him, pushes TB right to the cap for THIS year.

Still pending for THIS Summer:
RFA Killorn (probably seeking $3.5m)
RFA Namestnikov (odd man out, would prob take $1.5m)
RFA Nesterov (I think he's shown enough to ask for $2m-$3m range)

The only way they sign ALL these guys is to move a big contract.
Nobody is taking Carle or Garrison (unless they can be bought out).
But if they ditch Bishop right now... that's $6m... which is probably just barely enough to maybe squeeze Killorn & Nesterov.

And then... there's STILL HUGE problems next year, with Palat(RFA)/T.Johnson(RFA)/Drouin(RFA)/Hedman(UFA)... and Vasilevskiy himself will be RFA - and he might shine if he gets the #1 gig to start this year.
Perhaps they let Bishop play out his contract (which might be smart because it shelters Vas from "shining")... then you've still got huge contract issues next year.

IDK - I still think it would've been smarter for TB to let Stamkos go.
To keep Stamkos... I see without Bishop AND Hedman AND two of Palat/T.Johnson/Drouin... how strong are they really.
TB needed the Stamkos money for Hedman.
I think they made a major mistake here.
(But then again... they can always trade Stamkos to a place he's willing to go...)