http://www.nypost.com/seven/01252009/sport...1927.htm?page=2

I usually don't put much stock in what Larry Brooks says, but in this case I do think it could be true. Why? Because TB is the only team in the league who's front office/onwership group makes the Isles look well run.

Their GM is Brian Lawton...former #1 overall pick of the NorthStars taken over LaFontaine (3rd overall) and Lawton is the biggest BUST in nhl history. He was a bum of a player and now he's a bum of a GM. Sorry, but how do you fire the coach you just hired after a month? How are you shopping the first pick overall after half a season?

Lawton will make sure the Lightning are crap while his tenure as gm continues because everything he touches turns to #$%^.

I hope we put a call in and offered one of our second round picks to take Stamkos off their hands. I'd even throw in Campoli or Gervais.

Remember Thorton got off to a terrible start in Boston. So did Kessel. I think Stamkos will be an excellent player in this league...IN TIME. He's just a pup, and like Bailey, needs to bulk up to play the big boy game.

I'd love to bring Stamkos and Tavares/hedman to join the likes of Bailey, Okposo and Comeau. That would be an interesting youth movement.

Its probably going to take our 1st rounder this year AND... (fill in the blank) to pry Stamkos away from Tampa. They are also involved in rumors regarding Lecavalier. I don't think they'll trade both - that would be incredibly stupid. So some rumors are blantantly false.

They would be smart to see the market for Lecavalier and get a high pick for him and combine that with their own pick to start a rebuild. For all the stars they have, its not getting them anywhere. Might as well start from scratch again.

I agree. I love the Lacavy to Habs rumors. They have been rehashing that idea for years ever since he became dominant because, let's face it, all great French Canadian players must play of the Habs. The Lord has ordained it. The problem is they can't possibly get value for Vinny L. Unless you include the cap space freeing up as "value", there is no way the Habs give player value. Vinny L would automatically be better than the top 2 Habs players. I don't see the Habs packaging a first rounder, Higgins under contract (he's not after this year), Markov for Vinny L and that is what I think it would take at minimum to get him.

As for Stamkos, I'm sure they will want a first rounder PLUS. However, they are killing his marketability by playing the kid sparingly. I don't see what the rush is with them. he's a young 19 and is playing behind arguably the best center in hockey. There is no need for Stamkos to be dominant right now. Even if he was, with their horrible defense, it isn't like the ning are going anywhere for 2-3 seasons.

I don't see anyone with a shot at a top 5 pick making a "first rounder PLUS" deal for Stamkos because TB has damaged the kid's value. If I had the 10th pick in the draft, I'd float them a deal offer and see what they do.

I just can't believe they'd be this stupid to give up on Stamkos so quickly. But then again, with Lawton as their GM I can.

That would be a far stretch to believe TB would think about trading Stamkos. Brooks is blowing smoke, after he inhaled of course.

Normally I think Brooks is full of it...but I just wouldn't put it past their idiot GM Brian Lawton. He's the only reason I think there could possibly be a shred of truth...because Lawton is that stupid.

Seems to me that the Tampa GM's logic is:
"Hey, we have two franchise centers (well one franchise, one potential), why not trade one of them? Surround the one we keep by good players?"

Pretty dumb idea if you ask me...

I'll gladly take Stamkos or Vinny off their hands though. :goofy2:

Maybe they can't afford both of them or won't be able to afford to pay both of them some time in the future? :dontknow: It really doesn't make any sense to trade Stamkos or Vinny for that matter

TB dictates what they pay Stamkos until he's 27, so price shouldn't be an issue while he's young and restricted.

Unless he files for arbitration in 2 years, or signs an offer sheet.

but that isn't even close to being an issue this season or next. I can see TB moving Vinny for cap reasons, but what is moving Stamkos going to do?

At BEST they get a high pick, but why replace STamkos with a high pick? It still doesn't address their cap issues.

Why would they trade Stamkos?

I wouldn't, but Brooks loves to post Eklund type stuff. And with GM BRian Lawton anything is possible.

to make milbury look good.