Where will Steven Stamkos sign?

[Senators26]

Where do you think Steven Stamkos will sign and why?

 

[Phil The Thrill]

I don't see Tampa happening.
 
I honestly see Toronto making a huge run at him. We have the cap space for it and he's a hometown kid. 
 
Not sure if it's what is best for the team though. We aren't at the stage where we are ready for him, and by the time we are, his peak is gone (you could make a fair argument Stamkos has already peaked too). Plus we'll have Marner, Nylander, and Matthews to resign down the road.

 

[Senators26]

I don't see Tampa happening.
 
I honestly see Toronto making a huge run at him. We have the cap space for it and he's a hometown kid. 
 
Not sure if it's what is best for the team though. We aren't at the stage where we are ready for him, and by the time we are, his peak is gone (you could make a fair argument Stamkos has already peaked too). Plus we'll have Marner, Nylander, and Matthews to resign down the road.

If I were the Leafs I wouldn't sign him for that exact reason. By the time Matthews, Marner, Nylander, etc are playing at the level you need to win a Cup, is Stamkos still going to be effective? Yes, absolutely. Will he still be worth the contract? Probably not. His contract will also create issues with signing all those young players.
 
I see him ending up in Detroit. With Datsyuk leaving, they'll be looking to use that extra cap to sign a new #1 center and who better than Stamkos.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

My roommate is a red wings fan and thinks the wings have a shot. I assume they'll ship off Datsyuk's contract to Arizona first.

 

[JZsportswhiz]

I would really like to see him stick in Tampa. Especially with Drouin beginning to come into his own, Tampa is the best spot for him to win a Cup in the next few years

 

[Phil The Thrill]

I think Tampa proved this playoffs they don't need him to make it deep into the playoffs. Really don't think a 9 to 10 million dollar cap hit is worth it when they'll have others to sign down the road.
 
Hard to absorb those contracts in the cap era.

 

[JZsportswhiz]

Very good point, will suck losing him for nothing though. He is still an elite player though that may be enough to put them over the top over the next 2-3 years. I mean being a top 3 team on paper the next couple seasons may be worth the long term risk

 

[Stray32]

I'm really hoping the Wings can do exactly that but they've had struggles attracting top free agents recently so we'll see

 

[TMac#1]

As much as I hate to say it he is going to Detroit.

 

[RipCity32]

Detroit please. 

 

[Steez]

Obviously I'd love him in BUF, but sounding like he's gonna use us as leverage to get as much money as possible from TOR/DET. 
 
If the Sabres somehow land him, that's arguably three first line centers we have in ROR, Eichel and Stammer. Hearing ROR would move to wing though.

 

[Senators26]

https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/748174600039706624
 
They're also offering him a marketing deal

 

[Senators26]

https://twitter.com/sunhornby/status/748222494113411072

 

[Phil The Thrill]

Lmfao. Little early to name a subway line after the guy.

 

[Senators26]

He's staying in Tampa. Wow.

 

[JZsportswhiz]

Well now that I live in FL I am very happy he is staying in TB. Will be a fun team to be around next few seasons, especially with Drouin now