Stamkos

[peytonsaturday]

Where does he sign?  He's the biggest free agent this year, and one of the biggest in recent memory.  Guys of his skill don't become free agents often.  He's a top 10 player in the league when healthy.  I list the order as follows:
1. Detroit - Can offer big time money and can win now.
2. Buffalo - Can offer the most money, close to home, and not too far off with all their young talent
3. Toronto - As close to home as he can get.  Has solid prospects, but seem to be a few years away from contending.  Babcock is also a major plus for the Leafs
4. Tampa - Obviously in "win now" mode, but distance from home (Stamkos has said he wants to be closer to home in Ontario) and money will be tough to over come
5. Boston - Same as above, except they are an aging team, not sure how many real years of being cup or playoff contenders they have left.

Thoughts?

[Crimson's Ghost]

That didn't take long, Tampa it is.

[peytonsaturday]

I would have figured he would wait until Friday to raise the price.

[abpk2903]

A lot of money to give a guy with blood clot issues. It seems like that is an issue that doesn't go away completely and come back at some point.

Brian Vickers has been in and out of a race car for the past 5 seasons with this same issues, Pascal Dupuis was forced into retirement, and Tomas Vokoun had his first episode in 2006 and a few years later was forced into retirement. 

He is a top 5 talent in the league when healthy and I hope the guy can put this issue behind him.