7+6=13

Young man has elite offensive skills. Can't wait to see what he turns into in 2-3 years.

He was nice enough and was obviously coached into what to say - as you picked up on. Couple things that struck me as particularly odd was his lack of being respectful to Buffalo for spending resources to acquire the rights to be able to talk to him and his representation - I think he could / should have said that. I don't think it would have been a bad thing for him to recognize they spent a draft pick and money to fly into see me and that was an honor. He basically said them flying in gave me practice on what it's going to be like to talk to a GM and coach on August 15th. I also think he could have said hey they spent resources to be able to talk to me and based on the positive meeting would talk to them again if they feel it's necessary to get more questions answered from me and my team. Instead he said they've agreed to leave me alone now. I just think he could have come off as more respectful and possibly removing the stigma he's getting (ever how unfair) that he hasn't earned anything from the NHL. Understand that I am fully aware that he has earned the right to do what he's doing. I do still believe he didn't help himself in terms of how he's perceived.

Well then he's not as mature and Harvard smart as I'd hoped - he said almost everything the wrong way and basically disrespected 2 teams now. Unless you're a Bruins fan because it's obvious that's where he's going. Not that it matters because if you've got the talent - you've got the talent to play well in the NHL - but he sure didn't represent himself well in that interview.

IMO Nylander is going to be a much better player than Vesey.

Well that's good news. They've got great soup in that area and it can only help our chances.

I can't help but think some of these comments about the plane are sarcastic.

Amazing how much force is behind the flick back hand shot he has.

You don't know that he did.

You don't think the owner/operator of a restaurant business should be able to have input on renovations because he leases it? You don't think he should be able to say "Hey if you change that you'll take away 3 seats at the bar and those mean $10K in revenue to me each per year"?

I agree with everything you've posted and I can't understand any of it.

Looks like he'd only gain 1.5 million by doing that vs NY taxes. He'd have to work is arse off - off the ice just to get what he could easier in the U.S.

I found these numbers interesting. Might not be about money at all. I really had no idea Canadian taxes were much worse than NY. As a Tampa Bay Times analysis in January showed, Stamkos could net nearly the same annually after taxes in Tampa Bay at $8.5 million as $10 million in New York (Rangers, Islanders), presuming he'd be a New York City resident; Stamkos would make more over the length of the deal in Tampa because of the extra year. Stamkos would net $500,000 less annually than a $10 million deal with Detroit, another strong suitor, but, again, more over the length of the deal. And Stamkos' hometown Maple Leafs, due to a 53.53 percent combined federal/provincial tax rate, would have to offer him $12.37 million annually over seven years to net the same as he'd make over eight years at $8.5 million in Tampa, according to national sports tax guru Robert Raiola, the director of the Sports and Entertainment group at PKF O'Connor Davis, who has professional sports clients throughout the country.

Or leave, right?

I don't think it's about just goal totals. It's about getting goals when the average player can't. Players like Ennis, Moulson and Zemgus need things to set up or a rebound. Stamkos scores when only the elite can put that goal in.

He'd get an 8th year on the contract.

However it's pretty great that if the cap goes up Buffalo is one of the teams that wouldn't care and will spend to it.

I don't think this will be the deciding factor either. I doubt someone offering $500K more gets him - this is going to be about showing him everything about the organization. So crazy because it's this type of energy the NHL is missing.

Ok. I think it's possible but with young teammates I lean towards that being lofty. My main point is with a 19-20 year old Eichel - there's room for Stamkos to be the man now and Jack transitioning into it. If you want to contend now vs a bit later.

Of course I hope he is - but I'm not ready to say he's as good as Stamkos. Are you saying you think Jack will be in the 90's next year?

Maybe, but I think he's probably a couple seasons from being a 70+ point guy.

I'd pay Stamkos 12mil per season. We're instantly a playoff team and then Murray would only need to make a couple moves to make us a contender. Stamkos isn't just a bonus - he immediately changes and accelerates the team to having a shot at contending. Without Stamkos this team isn't a contender for several years - we're just too weak at the middle and bottom of the lineup. We're a young team so obviously there's another way to become a contender but it's just going to take longer. Eichel will have to become an NHL star but that's probably 2 more seasons away. Stamkos would allow us to do it now - waiting for Eichel is going to be a progression. What's so incredible to think about is when Stamkos is slowing down a bit Eichel will be in his prime and this can go on for a very long time. We'd be one of those playoff every year teams - that when it all clicks could win it any season for the next 10.

I understand and you're of course perfectly within your right as well. I think if we both admit it we don't know Kulikov's play on a game by game basis - so we read. The Sabres see him doing some things they feel the team needs along with being LH. I'm sure we'll miss Psyk's 11 points next year but don't you think it's wise to let Murray decide which is the better fit?

What an awesome statement. If nothing else - he's entertaining.

Just because you don't understand doesn't make it wrong. Bylsma said they've been watching a lot of film on Kulikov the last 3 weeks. You'll have to forgive me that I'll side with their assessment of him.

He seems like a pretty decent young man when I've seen him on interviews like "The Life". At this point he seems like he can't control himself. Could be that he can't handle alcohol.