"This whole dog and pony show is getting tired. Stamkos is an RFA, so there is no rush by either party to finish the deal today. Yzerman isn't going to just throw money at him, he's going to get the best deal possible, just like Stamkos isn't going to accept the first offer on the table. Yzerman knows that if he cripples the Bolts with too big of a contract with an uncertain CBA next year, it does more harm than good to our team in the long-term (especially with Vinny's contract).

Honestly, now that the first few days of free agency are over, I'm actually feeling more confident than before. Most of the teams that had huge needs for a top line player did something to solve it. LA, Philly... they're out of the running for all practical reasons (LA wouldn't dare offer sheet him, because we'd do it right back to Doughty, and Philly is screwed by the cap before the huge contract Stamkos would need is even on the books). That leaves Toronto, and their hordes of delusional fans. Burke won't offer sheet, and he doesn't have the pieces to work out a decent trade. I find it funny how Toronto always thinks their third line prospects are top talents. They won't be competitive for years, and Stamkos just got his first taste of the playoffs, so I doubt he wants to go back to another rebuilding program. He's not a kid anymore. He's not a fan. He's a professional hockey player that wants his name on the Cup. Toronto has no chance here. Stamkos stays in Tampa."