My view on the Stammer...

I Love Stamkos. We all know he is an elite player. He's had a bad run of luck the past few years. And his production has understandably slid.

But ten schmill for him? Someone who looked limitless but now looks somewhat limited? I mean damn. He's great. But I can't help feeling like I'd rather throw that kind of money elsewhere. Throw that same number at the same number. But the other 91.

We're going nowhere next year. Stamkos or not, it will be a real battle to get into the playoffs. If we make it - miraculously - we go out. So why bother trying?

Continue to build. Continue to grow. Galvanize that new culture. Get more prospects. And finish lower than we could with Stamkos and draft high once again. And then bring the other T.O. boy home next year.

To me, Tavares, while he has not been quite as prolific, is more well-rounded. He's always a danger to score a huge goal. Just look at him tonight. 5 games in a row. But the guy makes crazy plays. His assists are not only great in number, they are great in quality. Someone needs to feed Stammer. No one needs to feed Tavares. He'll feed the guys we have and the guys we have coming, and make THEM way better than they are. Not leave us wanting for more - which I think is what happens with Stamkos.

I just have a real gut feeling on this. And I hope management sees it the same way. Stay away from help next year. Stay the course. And do our best to land the guy that will ultimately fit better.

I feel like Tavares is the larger impact player. He's is more fit to make his linemates more than what they are, and this whole team more than what it is.

AND HE JUST DID IT AGAIN. Look at that strip and the play to OKPOSO. It's just getting more and more obvious to me. He does it ALL.