Re: Stamkos "likes" tweet
The tweet thing is a non-story, but Stamkos and his future is a big story in the hockey world and definitely worth discussing.
I have a hard time figuring out why his production has dropped off so much. I know St. Louis has a lot to do with it, but when I watch him play, Stamkos doesn't seem quite as fast, his shot isn't what it used to be, and he doesn't seem to play with the same passion/drive as before. He is only 25, so it is hard to believe that his natural skills have already diminished. I believe there is more going on behind the scenes that we aren't aware of.
I don't think he is worth the league maximum (at one point I thought that was a no-brainer). I think Tampa would regret signing him for more than a $10 mill cap hit. Toronto, on the other hand, can afford to spend whatever they want. They have the cap space and the budget to do so. I don't believe Stamkos will return to his 90 pt days, but he'd be their best player and a veteran presence for the young up-and-coming players (Marner, Nylander, etc.), and Toronto fans and media would go crazy with a star player coming back home. From a media and on-ice perspective, it makes a lot of sense for Toronto.
From a hockey-perspective, I'd like to see Tampa deal Stamkos for a package that includes one of either Marner or Nylander. I'm not a fan of either team, but I am a fan of good hockey trades and I think a deal like that would be good for both teams.
12 team, H2H, salary cap
1 pt/G or A, 2 pts/W, 1 pt/OTL, 1 pt/SO
Forward: B. Point, M. Necas, A. Debrincat, T. Zegras, J. Bratt, L. Raymond
Defense: J. Morrissey, A. DeAngelo, S. Gostisbehere, D. Doughty
Goalie: T. Demko, E. Merzlikins
Bench: M. Rossi, C. Glass, M. Maccelli, M. Dumba, K. Shattenkirk, F. Andersen
Prospects of Note: L. Stankoven, J. Lekkerimaki, D. Yurov, B. Clarke
League has been running continuously since 1997-98