Leafs won't sign Stamkos, his signing would come at a bad time in the rebuild. If he was a UFA 2-3 years from now, it would work out perfectly. Leafs won't be competitive for at least 3 more seasons meaning Stamkos and his cap hit for the next 3 years sucks. Plus when the Leafs DO become competitive (minimum 3 years from now) Stamkos is hitting 30 years old. I think the 10 mil in cap space for an uncompetitive Leafs roster for the next 3 years is better than having him on the roster today.

I like this. I think if Toronto gets Stamkos and picks Mathews, they will have an easier time picking up other free agents. I don't think Stamkos "saves" Toronto hockey, but I definitely think he helps build a better club that is more competitive.

You're missing the point. You are paying him to lead the kids. Having Babcock for now is useless as the teams sucks. But THE way this rebuild will work is having Babcock put in the structure now and having guys like Stamkos around to lead the young talent. We have seen what happened in Edmonton when you just stock-pile young talent without talented leadership. Stamkos now is KEY to the rebuild. Even if you never win a thing with him, Leafs will be MUCH better off long term with having him now to lead the kids.

I could see them putting in am offer for Stamkos but they shouldn't get in on a bidding war. He would help mentor then young players but they could probably find a few quality vets that are cheaper to help for 2 or 3 years.

Just building off your point.....coaches like Babcock and young superstars like Stamkos don't hit the market very often. If they do and your franchise has an opportunity to add them, you have to make an effort to bring them in. If you wait for 2-4 years for the leafs to become a playoff team, now you're looking at dealing away major assets to try and bring a superstar in. 99% of the time you need to draft a superstar to have him on your roster...that 1% when he's available for nothing more than cap space...you gotta make an attempt no matter what situation your club is in.

Thought you were referring to these:

I respect and understanD the points you gentlemen are trying to make. I just think that it is slightly early and that spending 10 mil + for the next 3 seasons is not a great use of resources. I understand that Stamkos can mentor the kids, but I think there are other strong mentors you can get for less than 10 mil for 6+ years. Look at Calgary for example. Monohan, Bennet and Gaudreau turned out great without a 10 mil mentor.

Point is that I think I Stamkos signing today + his cap hit, is about 2-3 years too early in this rebuild.

I just have a feeling Leafs will want Stamkos to groom Matthews. Lupul will also most likely be injured by the 10th game at the latest so I assume Brown or Sosh will take his spot on that line.

I firmly believe that the Leafs will make a MAJOR effort to sign Stamkos. He's 26, scores 35-50 per year, 1st line center, fitness freak and a very professional pro. ALL of this is right up Babcock and Shanny's alley. Leafs need him. With him being our 1C we can shift Kadri down to 2C and shelter Matthews a bit on the 3rd line. Same with Marner on Matthews wing. Nylander will be a winger this year on Kadri's line with either Lupul or Michalek. I really don't think that the leafs are 3 years away from making the playoffs. With a good goalie acquisition this summer I think we miss the 2017 playoffs but the 2018 I really believe we make it.

No chance Leafs make the playoffs in 2018, you must be dreaming. You think the Shana plan was to do a complete rebuild properly which had the leafs make the playoffs in 3 years?? Lol. I think you are still in Brian Burke mode my friend. You don't make the playoffs just for the fun of getting in. If you don't have a roster that can go DEEP into the playoffs, then keep retooling. This roster won't be ready to win a playoff series in 2018. Who's your goalie? Sparks? What about your D men?? Maybe Gardiner and Reilly are good. But you don't make the playoffs with 2 defensemen. There's no way in Hell you look at D core and think they make the playoffs in 2018