On Steven Stamkos, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings …
Bob McCown: McCown wonders if the Maple Leafs have a plan that would make Steven Stamkos $3.5 million in non-cap dollars per season through marking? Have been told that the proposal has been vetted.
Darren Dreger: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman acknowledged talks with Stamkos and his agent Don Meehan last night.
John Buccigross: Yzerman basically said: “we made our best offer to Stamkos. Take it or leave it.”
Pierre LeBrun: Asked Yzerman last night if he felt he wasn’t going to be able to re-sign Stamkos, would he consider a sign-and-trade. Yzerman admitted he hadn’t thought about it at this point, but added he rather get an asset back than to lose Stamkos for nothing. Yzerman also added that all avenues remain open even with the interview period open”
Frank Seravalli: Yzerman when asked if he’d consider a “final offer for Stamkos: “I haven’t given you anything up until now, I’m going to keep it that way.”
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet: Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray on Steven Stamkos.
“I assume on a player like that, that the teams that have cap space that can fit him in will all be involved with this,” said Murray. “So it’s going to be a stiff competition, I’m sure. You’ve got to show them your blueprint, he’s certainly going to look at your roster, I’m sure. I think there’s going to be a lot of equals as far as money, there won’t be a lot of equals as far as geography.”
Stamkos has said he wants to remain with the Lightning, but other teams will offer more money. The Sabres could offer $12 million a year.
“We have holes, but we’re going to chase the big fish,” said Murray. “As we get close on them or let down by them, then we’ll change direction.”
The Red Wings have cleared Pavel Datsyuk’s cap hit. The Maple Leafs would have to clear some cap space if they wanted to sign Stamkos. Chances of returning to Tampa don’t appear good, but Yzerman hasn’t ruled it out.
“Players have a right to decide – whether it’s unrestricted free agency or what – they have a right to make their own decisions and I don’t judge anybody on that,” said Yzerman.
“It’s part of the business, it’s part of the job,” he added. “You just work through things.”
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland confirmed their interested in Steven Stamkos, but declined to talk about him as he didn’t want to reveal his plan to the world.
The Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs are among the interested teams.
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Tribune: The Sabres and Red Wings will be talking to Steven Stamkos. TSN was reporting that the Red Wings may offer seven years at $10 million a year.
It’s believed that the Lightning have offered Stamkos an eight-year deal with a cap hit of between $8.5 million and $8.75 million. The Lightning are the only team that can offer eight years. Yzerman wouldn’t say if he’s made his final offer.
