Sign Stamkos? Lightning does, will make formal announcement tomorrow

The team will begin rookie camp in Victoria, B.C., by formalizing the signing of Steven Stamkos, its No. 1 draft pick in this season's NHL Entry Draft.

Stamkos' three-year deal - the most lucrative allowed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement - has a base salary of $875,000 per season with $2.85 million possible yearly in bonuses if he reaches all maximum achievable performance bonuses (a complex set of league-standardized criteria.) The $875,000 includes his signing bonus.

Total base salary: $2.625-million

Possible performance bonuses: $8.55-million

Possible total salary: $11.175-million

-- BRANT JAMES

Comments

[Don in St. Pete]

About time! I guess they're just stretching their PR moments for all they're worth.

[Max Hunter]

I kind of feel bad for the guy, because we'll probably trade him next year for a twelfth round draft pick. *LOL*

[Brain]

Wow, way to be a supporter of the Lightning there Max Hunter. Have some faith.

[stu]

Man, I could really use a golfing vacation in BC about now. A little escape from the heat and humidity with a Lightning preview thrown in.
Lets see...hollywood mogul...golf resort developer...high roller....now associates himself with Augusta Georgia. My theory is this is all a ploy to secure a coveted membership to Augusta National. Hope they find OK the "right" type of person.

[Patrick]

"I kind of feel bad for the guy, because we'll probably trade him next year for a twelfth round draft pick. *LOL* "

Oh man, that's gold! Do you mind if I drop this gem on other blogs and on HFForums? I mean a twelfth round draft pick... GOLD!

[Mike13]

I can't even remember how long ago they stopped going beyond the 7th round. Patrick, please do not post it elsewhere. It's bad enough that it is posted here.

Don -- I completely agree.

[HckyAgnt]

Max just showed again that while Tampa may not have trouble selling tickets.. the people in the seats don't know much about the game they're watching.

[McGZ]

Does anyone know the "complex set of league-standardized criteria." that would give Stamkos the full salary?

[Cleo]

The bonuses are spelled out in the CBA, which you can find in it's entirety at nhlpa.com. See 'Exhibit 5' on page 260.

[Don in St. Pete]

What I had read somewhere is that SS would recieve the max which I believe was counted as $3,725,000.00 against the cap, a pretty significant amount for an unproven rookie, but better than having him say heck no and head to Russia.

[ben bolt fan]

I am ready for some Hockey!! Stamkos contract is probally standard and you have to like the rookie salaray cap (so to speak). Baseball and football need the same thing were a person that has never played profressinally cannot make a huge contract.

[Don in St. Pete]

I would say it's huge enough. I don't follow the other sprts anymore. Seems that $825,000. plus bonus ops up to $2.4 mil are reward enough.

[geo]

to much money unless the bonus is set for a high standard

[geo]

like 30 goals or 80 points otherwise just the base

[Don in St. Pete]

The bonuses may revolve around almost any thing but the big ticket items that usually command the most money are game played. and teams finish. After that bonuses are usually rewarde for points, goals scored, and minutes played.

[Tim]

From the CBA:

"The maximum amount payable for any single category of Individual "A" Bonuses identified below is $212,500 per season. (For example, an entry level SPC may not contain bonuses of $212,500 for 20 goals and an additional $212,500 for 30 goals, provided, however, however it may contain a bonus of $100,000 for 20 goals and $112,500 for 30 goals). An Entry Level SPC may contain any number of Individual "A" Bonues; however, a player man not receive more than $850,000 in total aggregate Individual "A" Bonuses per season. Individual "A" Bonuses are payable by the Clubs (as opposed to the League)."

"A" Bonuses for forwards:

* Ice time - must be among top 6 forwards of club (at least 42 games played)
* Goals: 20 goal minimum
* Assists: 35 Assist minimum
* Points: 60 point minimum
* Points per game: .73 points per game (at least 42 games played)
* +/- rating: Among top three forwards of club (at least 42 games played)
* End-of-season NHL All Rookie Team
* NHL All Star Game (selected to play or plays)
* NHL All-Star Game MVP

I won't list out the "B" Bonuses, but they are payable by the league, and include award (Hart,Richard,Bing, etc) performance (winning or being among the top 5 considered for an award), as well as finishing among the top 10 forwards in goals, assists, points or points per game.

[Don in St. Pete]

Tim, Thanks for clarifying all that. Seems like some of those targets are pretty lofty. I can see him getting the top 4 and the All Rookie team. The others would be too much to even hope for.

[karma]

or...to see the complete list you can read EE's blog from the paper across the bay...

[karma]

I love the promo shot - but I'm not sure that it fits this kid's character. Doesn't it remind you all of "Dr. Hook" McCracken from "Slap Shot"?

[Chris]

Jon Jordan is reporting on Hockeybuzz that the lightning will unveil a third jersey today? Has anyone else heard this?

[Don in St. Pete]

Chris, Someone had posted about it and I read about it today. Supposedly Dark blue with Bolts in white running diagonally across the front. Black strip on the bottom with a thin white stripe above it and gray and white stripes on the sleeves.

[Not the Marlboro Man`]

Several years from being the #1 Center, but this kid has the tools. I just cross my fingers that he stays away from the injury bug. Several years down the road we'll need a replacement for MSL.

[Kincaid]

2009 2009 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Odds to Win
http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/3677294/2009-nhl-stanley-cup-odds-to-win-spread.html July 29 2008
East Only
Atlanta Thrashers 80 - 1
Boston Bruins 50 - 1
Buffalo Sabres 50 - 1
Carolina Hurricanes 40 - 1
Florida Panthers 50 - 1
Montreal Canadiens 15 - 1
New Jersey Devils 20 - 1
New York Islanders 60 - 1
New York Rangers 12 - 1
Ottawa Senators 15 - 1
Philadelphia Flyers 20 - 1
Pittsburgh Penguins 6 - 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 50 - 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 60 - 1
Washington Capitals 15 – 1

Looks like the smart money doesn't think Bolts are any where near the Caps (or the playoffs).
2009 2009 2009

League
Atlanta Thrashers 80 - 1
Boston Bruins 50 - 1
Buffalo Sabres 50 - 1
Calgary Flames 20 - 1
Carolina Hurricanes 40 - 1
Chicago Blackhawks 30 - 1
Colorado Avalanche 20 - 1
Columbus Blue Jackets 60 - 1
Dallas Stars 15 - 1
Detroit Red Wings 5 - 1
Edmonton Oilers 50 - 1
Florida Panthers 50 - 1
Los Angeles Kings 80 - 1
Minnesota Wild 20 - 1
Montreal Canadiens 15 - 1
Nashville Predators 40 - 1
New Jersey Devils 20 - 1
New York Islanders 60 - 1
New York Rangers 12 - 1
Ottawa Senators 15 - 1
Philadelphia Flyers 20 - 1
Phoenix Coyotes 80 - 1
Pittsburgh Penguins 6 - 1
San Jose Sharks 10 - 1
St Louis Blues 60 - 1
Tampa Bay Lightning 50 - 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 60 - 1
Vancouver Canucks 30 - 1
Washington Capitals 15 – 1

[PD]

Looks like Wash is the prohibitive 2009 favorite in the stinky stinky SE
Wash 15-1
Car 40-1
Tamp 50-1
Florida 50-1
ATl 80-1

Those rankings are dead on.

[Don in St. Pete]

I'll say again that I don't trust the bookies making a power ranking. Some of their numbers just don't make sense. I just don't see the Rangers being better than Dallas, Montreal and Philly, for example. I'll say again I believe the Bolts and CrAPS will be battling for the SE lead until the final days of the season. Pitt is overated, due to what they lost and what they replaced it with.

[Ron]

Bookies don't care about power rankings, it's about maximizing profits. There is a lot more available money (and gamblers) in New York, than in Dallas, Montreal or Philly, so they shave a couple of points off the line to gin up some action.

[Boltflasher]

These look more like the odds I would expect for this next season and more reflective of the final standings except for the Rangers and Leafs. The thing to remember is that the odds change due to the bets being placed, hence alot of NYers placing bets on the Rangers...Interesting, though, that Leafs were next to worse at 60-1 worse than even the Lightning. Thanks Kincaid!

[Don in St. Pete]

Flasher, if the Avalanche and Wild end up 2.5 times better than us I will be shocked. The bookie ranking are sloanted to take in the money from those rooting for the home team in the biggest cities. Otherwise there is no way you rank the Mange I mean Rangers ahead of Philly, Dallas and Washington.

[Twinebulge]

Stamkos ought to trip over 35 assists his first season out of the gate provided he stays healthy, playing with Vrbata and Malone and on the PP besides. I don't see why a player of his caliber shouldn't be able to get a point in 3 out of 4 games for the 60 pt. total either.

[PD]

I agree Twiner, I see Stamkos at maybe even 20/40 assuming he gets the 2nd line minutes and some PP.

Don somehow I don't think the bookies are waiting for money from Edmonton or Minnesota. They may shave a point or two but not 10 or 15.
I think those numbers give a pretty good opening view of where things stand today

Rangers have Lundquist in the pipes say no more..thats half the game unfortunately for us.
Getting Zherdev was rather large too, he's a younger faster Kovalev.

[Don in St. Pete]

Zherdev, Had a lot of knocks on him out of Columbus. Claim he won't hustle or play D. Why else would they unload a young guy who scored 27 goals for a couple of Journeymen defenseman. A good goalie alone is not enough. See Luongo with the Florida Pansies.

[PD]

Say what you will, he's a heckava young talent.
The exact same knock was on Vinny's shoulders in his early days here.

[Don in St. Pete]

Pd, I totally agree and in the second half last year MSL and V4 did the same thing. Hang out and hope for a breakaway. Of course NY has at least a chance to win and that could motivate the young man.