TheRussianRocket. Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/stamkos-on-maple-leafs-well-see-what-happens/ The allure of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs could be there for Steven Stamkos if he becomes a UFA in Summer 2016. (Frank Gunn/CP) TORONTO LeBron James going home to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers led to speculation about whether a star NHL player might do the same in the near future. Naturally, Steven Stamkos was at the centre of that speculation. The Tampa Bay Lightning captain and Markham, Ont., native could be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2016, and the allure of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs could be there. "Well see what happens. Its a couple years away," Stamkos said Wednesday. "Right now Im focused on what I have to do to win in Tampa, and I think weve really established ourselves as a team that can compete in upcoming years. "For me, thats the important thing is getting a chance to win. It looks like were going to have that chance for a couple years." At the age of 24, Stamkos is one of the most marketable stars in the NHL. He has topped 50 goals in a season twice already and only missed out on representing Canada at the Sochi Olympics because of a knee injury. Stamkos made a run with the Lightning to the Eastern Conference final in 2011, and Tampa Bay was swept by the Montreal Canadiens in this years playoffs. The Stanley Cup is his priority now, something he can legitimately think about with general manager Steve Yzerman piecing together one of the best young teams in the league. "We have a good thing going down in Tampa," Stamkos said at a Coca-Cola ball-hockey promotional event. "We have a great owner, we got a great GM in Steve Yzerman and we got a good young team. I want to win, and hopefully I can do it in Tampa." Stamkos said with the additions of centre Brian Boyle and defenceman Anton Stralman and the re-signing of winger Ryan Callahan, the Lightning are probably better on paper than they were at the end of last season. "We didnt have the finish we wanted to last year, but with the new faces coming in, the expectations are probably set a little higher," he said. Stamkos said chatter about joining the Leafs in two years was "absolutely not" a distraction for him in Tampa, where hell begin his first full season as captain this fall. "I try not to focus about that stuff," he said. "I think thats the great thing about playing in Tampa is hockey isnt the mecca that it is here in Toronto and you can kind of go about your life and kind of get away from the game when you need to." That said, Stamkos added that he loves playing in good hockey markets, including Toronto. "Im from around here and grew up cheering for the Leafs, so any time I get a chance to come back here I enjoy it, and any time I get a chance to play against the Leafs its fun," he said. "Its also fun beating them, too, because a lot of my friends are still Leaf fans." Stamkos is set to make US$13.5 million over the next two seasons. What could be in his not-too-distant future is a contract like the ones Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane signed with the Chicago Blackhawks: $84 million over eight years. "The business part of the game, its growing," Stamkos said. "Obviously the games in good shape, and when that happens the caps going to grow and players are going to get paid more money. Those guys deserve it: Theyre great players in this league, theyve won championships. "Thats the goal for me is to win a championship. You let your play take care of itself on the ice and when its time to re-sign or sign a contract, you back it up with your play." When James left the Miami Heat for the Cavaliers earlier this month, the chance to return to his native Ohio was cited as a prominent reason. James won two NBA titles during his time with the Heat. "He won his championships, he said he always wanted to come home and play, thats where it started," Stamkos said. "Good for him for making that decision." To be completely honest, I hope Stammer does go to TO someday and in general more Canadian players to Canadian teams. Generally speaking, hockey is one of the most respected sports due to players staying loyal to their teams. No other sport really has done it like how the NHL has and it's why it's not a broken league like some sports (NBA). However, I've been behind the loyalty and respect in the NHL but I for one wouldn't mind Canadian players going back home. It's sad seeing Canadian teams getting screwed year in year out not winning, while our Canadian stars on American teams carry them to victory. ...this can be interesting if Stammer gives it consideration when he becomes an FA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightHawkSniper Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Stammer to Vancity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Sestito Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 He also said absolutely not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Refuse to get my hopes up. But really, no player is going to flat out deny he'll join a team. Why burn those bridges? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY_4_NAZZY Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 You can tell its mid-July when media is so bored out of their minds that they start dreaming of scenarios 2 years from now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 A little suggestive with the title, no? He says more about staying with Tampa in the article than he does wanting to go to Toronto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robongo Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mimerez Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I hope he stays in TB. But, JVR - Stamkos - Kessel line would be pretty awesome... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down by the River Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Article lacks substance as much as it lacks apostrophes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I hope he stays in TB. But, JVR - Stamkos - Kessel line would be pretty awesome... It would also put a lot of pressure on the defence in their own end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxiebrown Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 It would also put a lot of pressure on the defence in their own end. LOL It's hard for your defence to feel pressure when the puck is in the other team's end. Only a CDC poster could look at a potential line with two of the best goal scorers in the league (1st and 6th in goals per game over the last 4 seasons!) on it and think "But what about defence!?!?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxiebrown Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/stamkos-on-maple-leafs-well-see-what-happens/ To be completely honest, I hope Stammer does go to TO someday and in general more Canadian players to Canadian teams. Generally speaking, hockey is one of the most respected sports due to players staying loyal to their teams. No other sport really has done it like how the NHL has and it's why it's not a broken league like some sports (NBA). However, I've been behind the loyalty and respect in the NHL but I for one wouldn't mind Canadian players going back home. It's sad seeing Canadian teams getting screwed year in year out not winning, while our Canadian stars on American teams carry them to victory. ...this can be interesting if Stammer gives it consideration when he becomes an FA. A "broken league" that's way more popular than the NHL. Okay. I also have no idea why you think NHL players change teams less than in other sports. Have you heard of the "free agent frenzy" every summer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bure to Mogilny Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Leafs fans always think every ontario guy wants to play for them lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Surfer Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 A little suggestive with the title, no? He says more about staying with Tampa in the article than he does wanting to go to Toronto. And no doubt he was responding to a direct question from A TO reporter. Not speaking into a topic he introduced! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lychees Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 SIGH Is it October yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanTSN Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Is it just me, or would a Kessel/Stamkos duo be a disaster? They'd both be wanting the exact same looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Karlsson Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Is it just me, or would a Kessel/Stamkos duo be a disaster? They'd both be wanting the exact same looks. Agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soshified Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 LOL It's hard for your defence to feel pressure when the puck is in the other team's end. Only a CDC poster could look at a potential line with two of the best goal scorers in the league (1st and 6th in goals per game over the last 4 seasons!) on it and think "But what about defence!?!?" Pens defence must never ever felt pressured then... Right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks1219 Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Leafs fans always think every ontario guy wants to play for them lol To be fair, most fans think the hometown/state/province kid would want to play for their local team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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