I think NMCs mean a lot, and SteveY doesn't even ask his players to waive them.

As a philly fan Ill take that trade all day long

Of course you will. But I can bet you when Stevie trades Bishop, it won't be for much considering he's a UFA and he's got 5m in him. Tampa takes a backup and a prospect/rookie and a pick.

No way the Canadiens would trade Galchenyuk straight up for Stamkos, I know I wouldn't, and that's coming from a Sabres fan so I'm not biased in any way, I honestly think Galchenyuk is better than Stamkos is now or pretty darn close, and when you consider the $$$, I think Montreal would have to turn down a one for one Stamkos for Galchenyuk who is a point per game player, who will score 30 goals minimum and on a good year will score 40-50

Stamkos is the man but his injury history will keep anyone away from over paying for him. If he never broke his leg and had the blood clot and whatever it is now he has, I'd be tempted but ever since his first major injury his overall effectiveness has fallen. I don't think he'll ever be the 50/60 goal guy he was before............. and that is the player I would want in return for all that mentioned above.

Yes you are completely right on the fact that teams wouldn't maybe want to overpay considering they don't know what their getting into (injury-wise). But Stammer isn't just a goal scorer, he's a full 200-foot guy now. He's developed his whole game after the injury. Which might be a blessing in disguise because teams (I think) would rather have a franchise two-way C than a franchise goal scoring C.

I've got to see Stammer a lot lately with the playoff meetings between MTL and TBL and just from being in the same division and he still is a solid player, no doubt. Even with the added 2 way game though, we're losing a guy who will be producing pretty close to the same clip Stamkos will for the foreseeable future and he won't cost 9M for the next 8 years either. DD and the picks I could care less about obviously but where i start getting hesitant is Sergachev. I was a little disappointed the Habs took this kid with the 9th pick because I didn't really know enough about him but after seeing play and reading up about him, he reminds me a lot of another TB player. Victor Hedman. All the tools in the tool belt to be a top pairing guy and can play either side on defence to boot. With Galchenyuk looking like a potential pt/game calibre player and Sergachev a top quality dman a la Hedman, I honestly think the only player I'd be willing to trade those 2 for would be McDavid. Even if I'd be insane to pass up Stamkos, I'd rather take my chances with those two kids and live and die by both of them. Its a gamble either way but I'm too emotionally attached to those two see them both go in the same trade even for a player of Stamkos's magnitude.

What you said is right. But you said it yourself that you are too emotionally attached to them which is bad (I think you know why). The thing is that Chucky is going to be real good, lets get that out of the way here, but he's still young and Sergachev is very young. Price is what like 28/29? He's in his prime as we speak. Weber is 31? He''ll be getting out of his prime soon. This is the time to gogogogo. Stamkos is in his prime. I get your point in saying that Chucky might be as good as Stammer when he's the same age (which I'm not arguing on that because he might be, who knows) but you can't pass up on Stamkos if he's available (I know this is hypothetical but you get my point). Sergachev is only really going to make a big impact in like what 4-5 years. So yeah they give up their future (somewhat) but now's the time to cash in and you have to recognize that.

All fair points.

As for the "Now's the time to go for it" slogan that keeps being thrown about. Yeah sure, trade picks for rentals at the deadline. Trade prospects for right now roster players. But trade right now a really good player, prospect and picks? I just don't think Stammer is a big enough upgrade for it to be worth it. Like I said, if he were injury free these past couple years, I'd reconsider but his health is too much of risk at this point and making a big splash like this you better be sure you're getting 8 years of consistent hockey and not a player getting injured for months at a time. This trade has the potential to blow up in their face. Too much risk. Would rather play it safe.

Would you have taken Crosby in the middle of his concussion streak for those type of assets?

Goalies are not a commodity, youre not going to get much back, the 2nd alone is over payment. MTL is not giving that much up for Stamkos, no one will.