garmonbozia
Registered User
- Jan 10, 2006
- 907
- 91
I love the optimism of the poll results! Disagree that it aligns with realities of the business for both the team and Stamkos himself, but would love to see him continue to lead the team into his twilight years. It will come with a cost greater than the AAV on his contract alone though, as would him leaving.
Ignoring Stamkos, Hedman, and Hagel for a minute, our post cup core revolves around Kucherov's contract which has 4 years left. That's how much longer we can realistically keep the window open. Point, Cirelli, Sergachev, Cernak, Vasilevski and Kucherov are the core to build around in this regard. The extensions they've all signed say as much. Their play on the ice and roles on this team back that up.
Even in the ideal world that Stamkos, Hagel, and Hedman all resign for 6 million each there will be no flexibilty for the next three years while this perfect situation comes to pass. Minor side grades that hopefully allow the team to tread water while we watch the core wither over time and the window close hard. Hagel will be extended and deservedly so. His youth added to the core is important long term. Stamkos or Hedman? It probably comes down to a choice of which aging elder statesman JBB most wants to keep (if either). Both would be taking a discount if they resigned at their current cap hits (or less) compared to what they could get on the open market. We can't afford that without moving someone else out of the aforementioned core. If I had to choose I would keep Hedman over Stamkos only because I think his size and skills will be tougher to replace even as they decline. Hedman will have more value as a 2nd or even 3rd pairing guy than Stamkos as a middle six wing.
It would hurt to lose Stamkos (or Hedman) emotionally. It wouldn't seem righteous or fair reward for the loyal career long service they have provided the team thus far. But it is a business, and the business rarely cares about the feelings. It's unfair and disrespectful to expect the big discounts they'll be offered to remain. It's too harmful to the team and it's future cup chances to pay fair market value to retain them both.
Stammergeddon is indeed coming and I, for once, am actually afraid.
Ignoring Stamkos, Hedman, and Hagel for a minute, our post cup core revolves around Kucherov's contract which has 4 years left. That's how much longer we can realistically keep the window open. Point, Cirelli, Sergachev, Cernak, Vasilevski and Kucherov are the core to build around in this regard. The extensions they've all signed say as much. Their play on the ice and roles on this team back that up.
Even in the ideal world that Stamkos, Hagel, and Hedman all resign for 6 million each there will be no flexibilty for the next three years while this perfect situation comes to pass. Minor side grades that hopefully allow the team to tread water while we watch the core wither over time and the window close hard. Hagel will be extended and deservedly so. His youth added to the core is important long term. Stamkos or Hedman? It probably comes down to a choice of which aging elder statesman JBB most wants to keep (if either). Both would be taking a discount if they resigned at their current cap hits (or less) compared to what they could get on the open market. We can't afford that without moving someone else out of the aforementioned core. If I had to choose I would keep Hedman over Stamkos only because I think his size and skills will be tougher to replace even as they decline. Hedman will have more value as a 2nd or even 3rd pairing guy than Stamkos as a middle six wing.
It would hurt to lose Stamkos (or Hedman) emotionally. It wouldn't seem righteous or fair reward for the loyal career long service they have provided the team thus far. But it is a business, and the business rarely cares about the feelings. It's unfair and disrespectful to expect the big discounts they'll be offered to remain. It's too harmful to the team and it's future cup chances to pay fair market value to retain them both.
Stammergeddon is indeed coming and I, for once, am actually afraid.
Stamkos just extend on July 1st and put this to bed lol
