A Response to the Stamkos Talks: An Open Letter to Steve Yzerman

by Matt Amos on Jun 28, 2011 2:13 PM EDT in Lightning Team News

Dear Mr. Yzerman,

As fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning, it has become clear to us that when it comes to matters regarding a new contract for Steven Stamkos, you're simply not trying. Let's be honest, negotiating contracts with budding young superstars is probably the easiest thing on the planet, and the salary cap situation you were left with by Brian Lawton was absolutely perfect. So it's pretty clear that the effort is just not there on your part.

In fact, your lack of effort has probably already given away our chance to sign him. Even though the Lightning have like three more days to sign him before any other team can even throw an offer at him, and the Bolts have the right to match those offers, it's become pretty clear from all the tweets and articles from reliable Canadian sports personalities that Stamkos is going to Toronto. Or Philly. Or to the moon. Even Eklund says that Stamkos has the upper hand here, and we all know that that guy is never wrong.

Mr. Yzerman, you can't let this happen. We've been through this thing before - losing a stud, fan favorite center to another team - with Brad Richards, and I don't have to tell you that if it happens again now, the Lightning will never, ever, ever, ever, ever get close to playing for the Stanley Cup again. Ever.

So get off of this website and get on the horn with Mr. Meehan. Now. Even though every move you've made so far has been perfect and timely, and everything you touch turns to gold, we don't trust you because, just like everything else with this organization, the fans expected this deal done ten minutes ago.

Signed,

Those Ready to Jump off the Skyway Bridge

P.S. While you're at it, make sure to throw some money at Tomas Vokoun. Even though he's on the wrong side of 30, if we sign him, we'll win the Stanley Cup for sure. With or without Stamkos.

P.P.S. If it really comes down to it, you could always trade Vinny away to have the money to give Stamkos whatever he wants. Because if there's one rule to live by in Tampa, it's that ‘I' always comes before ‘we.'

Tweet Comment 29 comments | 3 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Nice read, I lol'd the whole way

you're not defending him are you?
are you his mom?

by toppleprone on Jun 7, 2011 9:43 PM EDT

My Twitter- follow for NHL updates

by SnipeShot on Jun 28, 2011 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

Who's criticized Yzerman?

Weird angle to take on this little piece of “satire.”

Regardless, I hope the optimists are right in that he stays at a reasonable price.

by vlac4 on Jun 28, 2011 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

By complaining about Stamkos not signing, people are backhandedly criticizing Yzerman for not doing his job in getting Stamkos signed.

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 28, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s a wonderful use of logic, Cassie, but it frankly doesn’t hold up. This is sports media we’re talking about. If there were any gripes with the way Yzerman has handled the situation, it’d be all over PuckDaddy/ESPN/NHLN.

Who knows what’s really going on behind closed doors, but would you guys let Stamkos look at a few offer sheets if we was demanding an Ovechkin style contract?

by vlac4 on Jun 28, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh boy. I’m not talking seriously. I’m talking about why this is “addressed” to Steven Yzerman. :o\

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 28, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, I guess that decision is up to Steven and his agents, huh? Since they don’t have to sign anything right away and if they want to look at offer sheets first, so be it. Not a whole lot Yzerman can do about it, no matter WHAT is offered.

I just think too many people are going way overboard on this. It’s one player. Yes, a very good one and is on his way to becoming a great player in this league. But only one player, nonetheless. I’m sorry, I just refuse to get all worked up in a lathered frenzy about something that is out of my control. And at this point, possibly out of the GM’s control as well.

Dwayne Roloson: "You damn [insert team name here]! GET OFF MY LAWN!!"

by Tina Robinson on Jun 28, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL... Nice work DTV

Good way of telling those folks contemplating that long leap from the ledge to calm the he… uh, HECK down…

Dwayne Roloson: "You damn [insert team name here]! GET OFF MY LAWN!!"

by Tina Robinson on Jun 28, 2011 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

There are a lot of raw chargers contemplating that leap...

…yeah, pretty much me.

I’m shocked the dominating sentiment is still, “Eh, no big deal, bro! JEDI MASTER’S GOT THIS!!!”

I guess I’m not, “ALL IN.”

by vlac4 on Jun 28, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think

this really is the dominant sentiment. I do think that there’s a wide range of reactions between outright panic and predictions of doom—or the ledge-lounging—and “no worries”. I sorta feel that we should be somewhere in the middle of that range. I’m quite concerned but not panicked. I do think that the deal will be for more money than we’d like to pay, but I’m not terrified that it’ll be for so much that we can’t compete in ‘11-’12.

Goaleez R weerd.

by CAustin on Jun 28, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Good thing I'm fluent in Sarcasm.

Seriously, though, I think a very germane part of this fan reaction is a conditioned response. From an outsider’s perspective (please remember I’ve only been a rabid Lightning fan since the fall of 2009), for so many years, the Bolts have sat idly by and let their talent go elsewhere, or overpay to keep that talent.

Now that there are acutally knowledgable people in office, the conditioned response is tricking Bolts Nation to panic. All will be well, folks—not even Florida will keep him out of Lightning Blue next year.

"[The Lightning] are uncanny. When they want to get a goal, it's like they just snap their fingers or hit a button. They just dial it up. You can see it. It's like they flip a switch. When they are down, it's just like they think, 'we know we are going to score.' I don't know what it is, it leaves [the opposition] flabbergasted." - Mike Knuble, 3 May 2011

by MTBoltFan on Jun 28, 2011 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

I think they’ll keep him at all costs, even if it means paying him 20% of the cap hit. I’m more concerned we don’t wildly overpay…I’m confident Yzerman will find the market price before Friday, he’s been so effective in the role that I can’t imagine he won’t succeed….Unless Steven and his agent are being absurdly demanding, which would kind of take this out of Y’s hands. If things unravel, I’m willing to bet the blame will rest on Stammer’s side of the table…

by vlac4 on Jun 28, 2011 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

and if that’s the case, the truth will come out and he’ll lose a ton of credibility in this market.

But we won’t have to worry about it. At all.

by MTBoltFan on Jun 28, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

just believe in steve

he’s done everything right in a short period of time..he formed a real team again, gave us one hell of a coach and made the right transactions..yzerman is no lawton ,he knows how things are done..so just trust in him and forget the past..steve will work a deal out with stamkos and if not we’ll sign richards and win the cup without stamkos

by Penaholic on Jun 28, 2011 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

Well played, sir. Well played!

by Lightningfan7609 on Jun 28, 2011 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

Don’t blame Yzerman for no deal…blame Stamkos and his greedy agent. Take the four draft picks, Brad Richards at a discount and use the extra $$$ to obtain a stellar supporting cast.

by Gobaby on Jun 28, 2011 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

Dude, this is satire. You know, a funny? It’s mocking the fans that are getting worked up about stuff, not Yzerman himself. :o\

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 28, 2011 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

TRADE 'EM ALL!!!

And let DTV sort ’em out.

So... if that was just the beginning? Can't friggin' wait to see what's next!! A HUGE Thank You to Mr. Vinik, Steve Yzerman, Guy Boucher & the whole damn Lightning team/organization!! 100% Continued support and respect.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 29, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

JM’s got this! Yay!!!!

by vlac4 on Jun 29, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Now you know how people like me can be so complacent about it all. :o)

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 29, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

ha ha

very nice piece. Rec’d!

Also a fan of the Rays and Lightning.
There is no offseason.
My icon was drawn by Samara Pearlstein, talented artist/blogger at Roar of the Tigers.

by Tigers&WingsFan on Jun 29, 2011 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

I have NEVER doubted the man before..

And sure as hell don’t plan to start now!! When Steve Yzerman decided to come to Tampa Bay from the mighty Detroit Red Wing organization, not only did he bring years upon years of hard work, dedication, responsibility, leadership and hockey smarts (could go on and on) He also brought along my 100% confidence in him to do the right thing for the team, no matter what.

True, this is only his 2nd year at JM, but if you actually think of him as a Jedi Master.. in Star Wars terms.. think of the training and time it takes to even become a JM. Now, think of who trained him and their records. I know it’s hard for some to put confidence in someone they don’t know as well, but if you’re having any doubts, just look at Mr. Yzerman’s records and the organization style he comes from. Master Holland taught him well.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 29, 2011 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

Here is another vote of confidence..

And voice of reason. This time from someone who actually has MUCH inside knowledge of the Bolts, the big E.E.
http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/breaking-down-the-steven-stamkos-saga-leading-up-to-july-1/

Not to mention, the real master here in this situation is Stammer himself. Some of us act as if we have no idea, who exactly were taling about here. Do you really think Stammer wants to go to Toronto or god forbid.. Philly? Especially after the bonding that has taken place over the past few years and now the Stanley Cup playoffs Count in the statements BOTH partys have made and this should be a no brainer. It’d be like hitting reset on a 3 year game of NHL ’11.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 29, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

“…the question Stamkos has to himself is how much of a team’s salary cap/budget is he will to take up – and that’s any team, not just Tampa Bay – and still have a chance to win a Stanley Cup? Lightning head coach Guy Boucher used this term a lot during the playoffs, so I’ll borrow it from him – there is a difference between being a star and being a winner. A winner does whatever it takes to win. A star is somebody who puts up big offensive numbers, but often shies away when the chips are on the table.”

And that right there is the measure that should be applied to ANY athlete signing ANY contract.

by Clark J Brooks on Jun 29, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

True, but I’ve heard his agent’s very greedy, tho.

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 29, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

As is Brad Richards agent.

Typing is an adventure, and reading should be, too!
Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Jun 30, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think the concern for Lightning fans should be about Stamkos going somewhere else. Personally, I would be more concerned with the amount of money it is going to cost. Stamkos is a great player, but he could handicap the Bolts for years to come.

by xaryss on Jun 29, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

That is hopefully why it’s taking some time. You’ve got to think, big contracts (when done right) take big time.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Jun 29, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Not to mention, you don’t Stamkos going to Free Agency and then having another team poison pill him.

by xaryss on Jun 29, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

The longer this keeps going on, the more I start believing that his agent’s screwing him over so that his agent will get more money. Stamkos = big meal ticket, after all. And a lot of players trust their agents far too much.

Win or lose, I'm proud of these guys.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Jun 29, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions