from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- I wonder: When Dion Phaneuf winds up for a slapshot, does he have any idea where the puck is going? His slapshot seems to be getting more erratic with time.

- There is a reason why there has been little if any negotiations in the Steven Stamkos-Tampa Bay Lightning standoff.

Both sides are aware of the price it will take to sign him.

The Lightning, through general manager Steve Yzerman and owner Jeffrey Vinik, have yet to indicate whether they are willing to make a commitment in the range of $12 million per season to get a deal done.

The money seems like too much for Stamkos at first glance, especially considering the contracts of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, at $10.5 million a season, and how he is utilized by coach Jon Cooper, but in this case it isn’t necessarily what kind of value Stamkos can bring, it’s what the market will dictate.

Apparently, agent Don Meehan has a strong idea what the market will bear in this situation and the Lightning are equally aware of those complications.

a bit more on Stamkos plus other hockey notes...