Johnson was near 4th line minutes. Gotta think he wants to prove himself again. Killorn has his list as well, so you have your first 2. Rumor is the only Tampa players not available are Point, Kucherov, Hedman, and Vasi (notable exceptions here). If (and I stress IF) they get by with only needing to send off TJ/Killorn/Paquette, Lightning have a GIANT win.
I wonder what his list is. He is definitely productive, and his contract is only 2 more years at this point. But, it's a big one, in a league where we have a lot of league (and team) cap limit issues.
Doesn’t stamkos need to go?
No. Stamkos had more impact in his 3 minutes than the entire 2nd line for the Lightning had the entire playoffs. They send off Tyler Johnson and Killorn, that saves more money than if they send off Stamkos. A sniper like him is kind of a bargain at his price, and with how deep they are as a team, they are woefully thin at top 6 forwards (as evidence by the line of Killorn/TJ/Cirelli). They simply don't have anything close to a replacement for him, even with winning the cup.
As impactful as Stamkos is, he's reported to NOT be on the untouchables list. Cirelli will be resigned per the GM, JBB. I just hope they can get what they need with as little loss as possible.
Oh I dont doubt he's not untouchable, but it would take a crazy offer, and probably others refusing to move. Keep in mind all his family life is in Tampa, and he has a full nmc. If he's moving at all, the personal problems he alluded to in the finals have made him want to move on.
I'm not so patiently waiting to hear what Tampa does now. They lost Shattenkirk and Bogosian. So while they need to clear up cap by moving forwards, they need to replenish the D line. I know Shenn was signed which I was glad, that helps. If JBB is a wizard, I'm hoping he whips up some magic to get the team rounded out again.
Honestly the losses aren't much. Cal foote will step in. Bogosian probably isn't in the league without hedman (toronto is in for a rude awakening). Shattenkirk was fine, but between schenn and coburn, it will be fine. They probably hold off and pick up a vet looking for a final chance ala shattenkirk later in free agency. Most important now is getting tj and killorn out the door and getting the rfas signed. Then get to training camp and see which young kids step up.I'm not so patiently waiting to hear what Tampa does now. They lost Shattenkirk and Bogosian. So while they need to clear up cap by moving forwards, they need to replenish the D line. I know Shenn was signed which I was glad, that helps. If JBB is a wizard, I'm hoping he whips up some magic to get the team rounded out again.
Wow. I had heard about the 2nd groin injury, rumors about him leaving the bubble and he had mentioned something about family but this all goes beyond belief. He certainly sacrificed a lot. Thanks for the update.
The problem is I don't know the teams violated protocols. Washington did, but I haven't seen anything to suggest Carolina or Dallas did.
Hard to complain about their indifference with what nbc has done. Just give me Gary Thorne and the theme song and I'm good.The NHL is returning to ESPN as part of a seven-year deal. Looking like they'll split the package with NBC.
Sources: NHL, ESPN reach seven-year U.S. broadcast deal
ESPN is believed to have reached a seven-year deal to become one of the NHL's media partners starting next season, according to multiple league and industry sources.www.sportsnet.ca
Genuinely shocking news given the acrimonious split back in 2005, not to mention ESPN's historical indifference to hockey.
Hell yes.
