Tampa's needs

[chdlousen]

I know everyone has addressed the needs of LA but there has been little talk about Tampa's needs. Since they are our number one competitor for finishing dead last, I think its fair to address their needs, becuz they have a shot at selecting first overall if they finish in bottom last.

My observations:
They have two top ten scorers in the league, Lecavier and St. Louis, and they just acquired a decent 2nd line centermen in Jeff Halpern, and solid second or first line LW in Jussi Jokinen. But Defensively, they dont look so strong. There highest scoring D is in his second season Paul Ranger, and Filip Kuba is 32 years old, after that I would say there is a significant drop off in Defensemen. So I know Stamkos is looking good for any team, but I think Tampa needs defense just as bad as we do. So basically, who is to say (even if they win the first round pick) they select Stamkos.

I think they could be more interested in selecting a Defensmen than Stamkos, What does everyone else think, and what impacts will this have on the Kings.

Basically Im saying the chances of gettin Stamkos is looking very good if we get the second pick. SOoooo let the Staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamkos pics flow!!!

[236nOT]

Halpern is not anywhere close to being a 2nd line center.

Tampa has obviously had success with two star centers in the past. Regardless of teams' needs, Stamkos will be the first overall pick.

[super_miki]

And even if they for some reason decide to pass on Stamkos, they will probably trade the pick (like we should if we decide not to take Stamkos and have the first overall pick).

I'm sure one of the teams in the 3-6 range would love to take him. That way you can still get one of those highly touted defensive prospects along with whatever you can finagle out of the team you trade with.

Like the post above says, Stamkos will be the first person selected in this draft!

[mudfisher]

You forgot they also have Dan Boyle who was injured most of this season.

[Dominic Lavoie]

Nobody wants to be the GM who passed on the opportunity to draft Steven Stamkos. Having said that... this is a draft where you could get away with trading down because the payoff would be good. Toronto should go into free fall now that Sundin and Antropov are hurt and they aren't going to make the playoffs. raycroft should be starting some games now too. They would love to take Stamkos and would be under a lot of media pressure to get the deal done. They could make a deal with someone in the top 3-4 picks and flip the pick to the Kings for the 1st pick. Lets say they draft 6th. They flip the 6th pick to Tampa Bay for the 2nd Pick. Toronto gives up Stajan as part of the swap.

Now the Leafs offer the 2nd Pick, their 1st pick next year and Colaiacovo for Stamkos. Don't you do that deal? If the Leafs are bad next year it becomes a good pick for '09 and you get a dman who can be a 2nd Pairing guy in the future. Plus we get Doughty or Pietro!

So our D looks like this next year
Blake - Johnson
Colaiacovo - Lubo
Preissing - Harold

[KOPISTAR]

It doesn't matter what a teams needs are. If they have the first pick, barring some sort of retardation, the pick will be Stamkos.

[KINGS17]

There's no doubt that Tampa would take Stamkos if they had the #1 pick.

They get a replacement for Richards on a much cheaper contract, plus they get to keep the assets acquired in the Richards trade.

[PuckHead27]

Don't forget about the Blues.

[English Bulldog]

Unless the give is so great from any team, no way does the team drafting 1st not take Stamkos

He would allow you to package your #2 center to another team to help with whatever holes you have, unless of course you are the Kings and actually have a 4th line center on your #2 line, in which case forget it

[TonySCV]

Originally Posted by Dominic Lavoie

Nobody wants to be the GM who passed on the opportunity to draft Steven Stamkos. Having said that... this is a draft where you could get away with trading down because the payoff would be good. Toronto should go into free fall now that Sundin and Antropov are hurt and they aren't going to make the playoffs. raycroft should be starting some games now too. They would love to take Stamkos and would be under a lot of media pressure to get the deal done. They could make a deal with someone in the top 3-4 picks and flip the pick to the Kings for the 1st pick. Lets say they draft 6th. They flip the 6th pick to Tampa Bay for the 2nd Pick. Toronto gives up Stajan as part of the swap.

Now the Leafs offer the 2nd Pick, their 1st pick next year and Colaiacovo for Stamkos. Don't you do that deal? If the Leafs are bad next year it becomes a good pick for '09 and you get a dman who can be a 2nd Pairing guy in the future. Plus we get Doughty or Pietro!

So our D looks like this next year
Blake - Johnson
Colaiacovo - Lubo
Preissing - Harold

...and we're still looking for a #2 center.

I like the idea you proposed, but that implies we have no use for a #1 or #2 center in Stamkos, and we obviously do. Enough not to trade him. Colaiacovo is 25 now... right on the cusp of what would probably be an upper age limit DL would consider.

That said, you draft the best player available... you trade for need. DL could never pull off that trade with the 2nd overall pick. He can only do it with #1 and it equating to Stamkos.

- T

[Maverick]

The #1 pick, no matter who owns it (even LA), will see Stamkos selected. If the Kings or Tampa wins the lottery, they will take Stamkos no matter what. A significant overpayment would be required to strip the pick from their hands and they will just acquire a defenseman using other assets. It doesn't matter who else they are interested in, with the #1 pick you do not pass on a prospect like Stamkos, you always take the best player. If they want another defenseman in the top #5 they will trade assets other than the #1 pick to acquire him.