from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- According to numerous NHL people who attempted to woo Stamkos, the availability of the star centre all but ended after a Monday night meeting in Toronto that included Maple Leafs ownership, front office executives, Toronto mayor John Tory, Canadian Tire CEO Michael Medline and others from the corporate community. It was apparently an impressive sell with all kind of bells and whistles — just not impressive to Stamkos.

He left the meeting with the Leafs, and apparently turned to his advisors and said: “No more meetings.”

“I think they scared him off,” said an NHL executive....

- Next up for the Leaf magicians: What to do with Joffrey Lupul and his $5 million a year?

- Interesting that Randy Carlyle and Dave Nonis wanted Bernier again. Nonis believed him to be the goalie of the future in Toronto. Bernier has that kind of talent, just not the necessary focus and consistency to be a first-string NHL netminder.

more on the Stamkos topic a a fe other hockey notes...