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Post by Andrew on Apr 24, 2009 14:18:13 GMT -5
I think the Lecavalier thing is done. Over. Finished with. Pointe finale. Brian Lawton has already come out and said he isn't going to trade Lecavalier, and while we all know what they did with Dan Boyle there is a big difference; rumours of Dan Boyle's possible trade did not spark an impending season-ticket and sponsor revolt. The Lightning would actually lose money were they to trade away Lecavalier. They'd have less season ticket holders, and less advertising money. Not too mention do you-know-what to whatever credibility they may have left. If the Lightning are having cap issues they should put Marty St. Louis on the block. They'd shave $5.2 million off their cap, which is significant for them, but not overly big that no other team could swallow it. It's only for two more years, and better yet the actual dollar amounts are for only $4 million per year. So while your cap hit is higher, the actual money you're shedding out would be smaller. St. Louis had 80 points last year. I'm sure they would have no problems getting at least Plekanec and Higgins type offers from around the league. That would fill out their roster, and save them money... Heck, might even make them a better team... This is also an arguement for why you should keep St. Louis. Keep your cap number high, but your payroll low and thereby qualify for revenue sharing with a bottom of the barrell payroll.... And don't forget to sell out thousands of seats for next to nothing to make sure that you qualify. |
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Post by franko on Apr 24, 2009 15:38:16 GMT -5
And don't forget to sell out thousands of seats for next to nothing to make sure that you qualify. Gary's NHL . . . but it's workin', donchaknow |
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Post by CrocRob on Apr 24, 2009 16:49:10 GMT -5
Well there are always going to be revenue sharing teams, and there's no basis to assume that a team in another market wouldn't be doing better.
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Post by Doc Holliday on May 1, 2009 8:55:05 GMT -5
Was listening to an interview with Kent Hughes (Lecavalier's agent) yesterday and the main issue in Tampa is not to fit under the cap but really to actually pay Vinny's salary which will be 10mil next year... And even IF they can afford to pay that money, the Lecavalier Clan is definitely concerned that Tampa's ownership won't have the financial ressources to put a decent team around Vinny. Bolts just laid off 60 employees... Looks to me like they bought a Ferrari but don't have the money for the gas, insurance and plates.
...as for Lawton, rumors are that he doesn't have much power. The shots are called above him.
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Post by Boston_Habs on May 1, 2009 9:37:24 GMT -5
Was listening to an interview with Kent Hughes (Lecavalier's agent) yesterday and the main issue in Tampa is not to fit under the cap but really to actually pay Vinny's salary which will be 10mil next year... And even IF they can afford to pay that money, the Lecavalier Clan is definitely concerned that Tampa's ownership won't have the financial ressources to put a decent team around Vinny. Bolts just laid off 60 employees... Looks to me like they bought a Ferrari but don't have the money for the gas, insurance and plates. ...as for Lawton, rumors are that he doesn't have much power. The shots are called above him. Well if there's pressure to deal Vinny then that will just attract more bidders into the mix. I'm sure we're not the only team with cap space to pick up his salary. It would need to be a real hockey trade and we can't expect to bid low on the assumption that Tampa just wants to get out of the contract. If there's a couple other teams involved we need to consider what a fair trade would look like. It would have to go along the lines of a couple of roster players, plus a prospect, and picks. Tampa would want guys that are cheap and aren't hitting UFA status so that might take Higgins and Plekanec out of the mix. AKost, Gorges, Subban or McDonagh, pick(s) I would do that deal. I would also part with one of Pacioretty or Latendresse under the right deal mix. In that case I'd want to keep AKost and give them someone else. |
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Post by jkr on May 1, 2009 10:41:02 GMT -5
Was listening to an interview with Kent Hughes (Lecavalier's agent) yesterday and the main issue in Tampa is not to fit under the cap but really to actually pay Vinny's salary which will be 10mil next year... And even IF they can afford to pay that money, the Lecavalier Clan is definitely concerned that Tampa's ownership won't have the financial ressources to put a decent team around Vinny. Bolts just laid off 60 employees... Looks to me like they bought a Ferrari but don't have the money for the gas, insurance and plates. Lots of guys have cars like that Doc. They polish them up, leave them in the garage & invite their friends over for a look.  |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 1, 2009 12:03:47 GMT -5
Was listening to an interview with Kent Hughes (Lecavalier's agent) yesterday and the main issue in Tampa is not to fit under the cap but really to actually pay Vinny's salary which will be 10mil next year... And even IF they can afford to pay that money, the Lecavalier Clan is definitely concerned that Tampa's ownership won't have the financial ressources to put a decent team around Vinny. Bolts just laid off 60 employees... Looks to me like they bought a Ferrari but don't have the money for the gas, insurance and plates. Lots of guys have cars like that Doc. They polish them up, leave them in the garage & invite their friends over for a look. I'm wondering if our garage will be in a similar state if we took in a similar car. Would love to own a car like this one but would it make me, car-poor? Cheers. |
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Post by seventeen on May 2, 2009 0:40:16 GMT -5
You could get your cigarettes, or chips, at the local 7-11 in record time, though.
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Post by Andrew on May 2, 2009 15:45:03 GMT -5
Was listening to an interview with Kent Hughes (Lecavalier's agent) yesterday and the main issue in Tampa is not to fit under the cap but really to actually pay Vinny's salary which will be 10mil next year... And even IF they can afford to pay that money, the Lecavalier Clan is definitely concerned that Tampa's ownership won't have the financial ressources to put a decent team around Vinny. Bolts just laid off 60 employees... Looks to me like they bought a Ferrari but don't have the money for the gas, insurance and plates. ...as for Lawton, rumors are that he doesn't have much power. The shots are called above him. A good story from last weekend's Globe about the lightning: business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090422.rmtampa0422/BNStory/specialROBmagazine/homeHere's an interesting excerpt: "After 37 home games, the average attendance of 16,358 was down more than 2,300 seats from last year. The Lightning have tweaked ticket prices to ensure they receive their allotment under the league's revenue-sharing scheme (the sum could be as much as $15 million). So the attendance total includes about 2,000 free or deeply discounted tickets—enough to ensure the Lightning comfortably reaches the minimum average attendance of 14,000 that's required to qualify for revenue sharing. The season's-ticket base has fallen from 14,000 in 2003-2004, Tampa's Cup season, to about 10,000 now. Sources say team revenues have fallen in the order of 15%." So Vinny in Montreal or not, Montreal fans will indirectly be subsidizing his salary next year. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on May 2, 2009 23:57:44 GMT -5
Was listening to an interview with Kent Hughes (Lecavalier's agent) yesterday and the main issue in Tampa is not to fit under the cap but really to actually pay Vinny's salary which will be 10mil next year... And even IF they can afford to pay that money, the Lecavalier Clan is definitely concerned that Tampa's ownership won't have the financial ressources to put a decent team around Vinny. Bolts just laid off 60 employees... Looks to me like they bought a Ferrari but don't have the money for the gas, insurance and plates. ...as for Lawton, rumors are that he doesn't have much power. The shots are called above him. A good story from last weekend's Globe about the lightning: business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090422.rmtampa0422/BNStory/specialROBmagazine/homeHere's an interesting excerpt: "After 37 home games, the average attendance of 16,358 was down more than 2,300 seats from last year. The Lightning have tweaked ticket prices to ensure they receive their allotment under the league's revenue-sharing scheme (the sum could be as much as $15 million). So the attendance total includes about 2,000 free or deeply discounted tickets—enough to ensure the Lightning comfortably reaches the minimum average attendance of 14,000 that's required to qualify for revenue sharing. The season's-ticket base has fallen from 14,000 in 2003-2004, Tampa's Cup season, to about 10,000 now. Sources say team revenues have fallen in the order of 15%." So Vinny in Montreal or not, Montreal fans will indirectly be subsidizing his salary next year. Gretzky went to LA for a package that included $15 million cash in addition to players. Now I know that Lecavalier is no Gretzky and he isn't a 22 year old with 10 productive years ahead of him, but money should be able to sweeten the pot, in which case Vinny is more likely to be looking for a house in Mississauga than Nuns Island. Vinny is a poor mans Mario Lemieux, no lengthy Hart collections, MVP's, Rocket Richard Trophy case and fewer Sports Illustrated covers than Christie Brinkley. He is good, he is big, he is home born, but he isn't the missing piece. |
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Post by roke on May 3, 2009 0:56:30 GMT -5
A good story from last weekend's Globe about the lightning: business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090422.rmtampa0422/BNStory/specialROBmagazine/homeHere's an interesting excerpt: "After 37 home games, the average attendance of 16,358 was down more than 2,300 seats from last year. The Lightning have tweaked ticket prices to ensure they receive their allotment under the league's revenue-sharing scheme (the sum could be as much as $15 million). So the attendance total includes about 2,000 free or deeply discounted tickets—enough to ensure the Lightning comfortably reaches the minimum average attendance of 14,000 that's required to qualify for revenue sharing. The season's-ticket base has fallen from 14,000 in 2003-2004, Tampa's Cup season, to about 10,000 now. Sources say team revenues have fallen in the order of 15%." So Vinny in Montreal or not, Montreal fans will indirectly be subsidizing his salary next year. Gretzky went to LA for a package that included $15 million cash in addition to players. Now I know that Lecavalier is no Gretzky and he isn't a 22 year old with 10 productive years ahead of him, but money should be able to sweeten the pot, in which case Vinny is more likely to be looking for a house in Mississauga than Nuns Island. The only problem is the CBA explicitly prevents transactions involving cash. It will come down to a hockey deal, and Toronto doesn't have the horses. |
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Post by Doc Holliday on May 3, 2009 13:29:17 GMT -5
Was listening to an interview with Kent Hughes (Lecavalier's agent) yesterday and the main issue in Tampa is not to fit under the cap but really to actually pay Vinny's salary which will be 10mil next year... And even IF they can afford to pay that money, the Lecavalier Clan is definitely concerned that Tampa's ownership won't have the financial ressources to put a decent team around Vinny. Bolts just laid off 60 employees... Looks to me like they bought a Ferrari but don't have the money for the gas, insurance and plates. ...as for Lawton, rumors are that he doesn't have much power. The shots are called above him. Well if there's pressure to deal Vinny then that will just attract more bidders into the mix. I'm sure we're not the only team with cap space to pick up his salary. It would need to be a real hockey trade and we can't expect to bid low on the assumption that Tampa just wants to get out of the contract. If there's a couple other teams involved we need to consider what a fair trade would look like. It would have to go along the lines of a couple of roster players, plus a prospect, and picks. Tampa would want guys that are cheap and aren't hitting UFA status so that might take Higgins and Plekanec out of the mix. AKost, Gorges, Subban or McDonagh, pick(s) I would do that deal. I would also part with one of Pacioretty or Latendresse under the right deal mix. In that case I'd want to keep AKost and give them someone else. As a GM, (or heck as an owner) I would move heaven and earth to bring Vinny here. In my mind he is precisely what we need both hockey wise and franchise wise. Can you immagine how easier it would be to attract FA here if Vinny would be here... and how increadibly marketable this guy would be? |
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Post by jkr on May 3, 2009 14:01:34 GMT -5
Well if there's pressure to deal Vinny then that will just attract more bidders into the mix. I'm sure we're not the only team with cap space to pick up his salary. It would need to be a real hockey trade and we can't expect to bid low on the assumption that Tampa just wants to get out of the contract. If there's a couple other teams involved we need to consider what a fair trade would look like. It would have to go along the lines of a couple of roster players, plus a prospect, and picks. Tampa would want guys that are cheap and aren't hitting UFA status so that might take Higgins and Plekanec out of the mix. AKost, Gorges, Subban or McDonagh, pick(s) I would do that deal. I would also part with one of Pacioretty or Latendresse under the right deal mix. In that case I'd want to keep AKost and give them someone else. As a GM, (or heck as an owner) I would move heaven and earth to bring Vinny here. In my mind he is precisely what we need both hockey wise and franchise wise. Can you immagine how easier it would be to attract FA here if Vinny would be here... and how increadibly marketable this guy would be? Something bold must be done to move forward. This team needs a real jolt & this slow & steady approach isn't working too well. It sounds like Gainey tried to make a deal but Lawton screwed it up. After BG's public insults do you still think a deal can be made with Tampa? |
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Post by The Habitual Fan on May 3, 2009 23:19:40 GMT -5
I had read somewhere that the Bluejackets could be in a similar situation next season with Rick Nash who will command huge money. The have a lot of talented younger players that in a year or two will all want raises so they might potentially move Nash to avoid a Gaborik situation soon. Personally I would load up an offer for Nash instead of Lecavlier before there is a bidding war there.
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Post by CrocRob on May 4, 2009 10:57:17 GMT -5
I'd rather have Lecavalier than Nash at a similar salary, and that's saying something.
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Post by franko on May 4, 2009 11:05:13 GMT -5
Nash won't get Vinny money -- the salary cap will be lower when he starts to negotiate.
Nash won't answer all of our questions . . . neither will Vinny, though.
strong d-man, tape-to-tape pass, and all that . . .
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Post by Anardil1 on May 4, 2009 11:40:57 GMT -5
I'm wary of the overwhelming desire to get Vinny here. This is a guy who has topped 100 points only once IIRC. And recently has had 2 major wrist injuries and 1 major shoulder injury. If the team overpays to get Vinny, I'm afraid we're going to be disappointed.
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Post by jkr on May 5, 2009 21:24:40 GMT -5
I'm wary of the overwhelming desire to get Vinny here. This is a guy who has topped 100 points only once IIRC. And recently has had 2 major wrist injuries and 1 major shoulder injury. If the team overpays to get Vinny, I'm afraid we're going to be disappointed. I think his point total dropped this year because of the injuries. He did have 200 points in his last two seasons including a 52 goal season. The Habs have to have a transition plan at centre. Koivu may not be back & Plekanec is certainly not the answer. In any case, after their public argument, I don't see Gainey dealing with Lawton. |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on May 6, 2009 17:12:09 GMT -5
Almost 24 hours gone by and no Lecavalier rumors?
Jack Bauer could have started and squelched at least 24 by now while hopefully torturing Bettman, Balsille and Eklund.
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Post by jkr on May 7, 2009 12:59:01 GMT -5
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Post by Doc Holliday on May 9, 2009 10:21:35 GMT -5
Something bold must be done to move forward. This team needs a real jolt & this slow & steady approach isn't working too well. It sounds like Gainey tried to make a deal but Lawton screwed it up. After BG's public insults do you still think a deal can be made with Tampa? I have no problem with low and slow as long as you have something to believe in. Right now I don't. The K brothers or Higgins or Price will lead us nowhere from my POV. Sell the farm to get a real central point to build around and go from there. As for BG, I have strong doubts that he'll get more chances to solidify his house of cards. This season was not just disapointing , it was a DISASTER and telling everyone that the only reasons for this are trade rumors and injuries, probably didn't help his credibility much. |
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Post by roke on May 9, 2009 15:13:02 GMT -5
A bit off-topic, but call me crazy, I'd rather have Thornton than Lecavalier if both were available, especially if the transaction took place after July 1 (when Vinny's NMC goes into effect). Thornton's playoff PPG is nearly identical to Lecavalier's, his contract isn't an albatross, and he's outscored Lecavalier [points] in every season but 1999-00.
If you could get Koivu back in a #2 centre role and get a good coach, I would definitely take Thornton if the cost to acquire either was equal. Without one or both of those 2 factors, I guess I'd lean toward Lecavalier.
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Post by Boston_Habs on May 11, 2009 16:04:22 GMT -5
As for BG, I have strong doubts that he'll get more chances to solidify his house of cards. This season was not just disapointing , it was a DISASTER and telling everyone that the only reasons for this are trade rumors and injuries, probably didn't help his credibility much. I agree 100%. I suspect if not for the whole distraction GG has with trying to sell the team, Gainey would have been fired for the miserable state this team is in. Aging veterans who can walk, no young productive offensive core, a weak blueline outside Markov, a shaky goaltending situation..... There's really nothing to feel good about right now. |
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Post by jkr on May 30, 2009 5:42:27 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on May 30, 2009 11:34:27 GMT -5
That is a surprise that the two talked again. Of course, Lawton's word is about as credible as reports out of Russian sports agencies and Eklund.
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Post by duster on May 30, 2009 14:50:20 GMT -5
Is it just possible that Gainey and Lawton never discussed Lecavalier this time? Tampa has other interesting players such as Artyukhin, for example, who I'd love to see in a Habs uniform. He's nasty, mean and can actually play hockey.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jun 3, 2009 11:12:04 GMT -5
IMO, Lecavalier or Thorton would be the kinds of centres Serge Savard will go after if he wins his bid for the Habs. Remember this is Bruce Garrioch: ===================================================== Lecavalier talk heats up
L.A. might be willing to pay Kings' ransom
By BRUCE GARRIOCH, SUN MEDIA PITTSBURGH -- No matter what's on the agenda, when all 30 NHL GMs gather in the same place, talk always turns to trades. With less than four weeks to the draft in Montreal, the GMs gathered before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final last night at Mellon Arena to talk about league issues and set the tone for making potential rule changes this summer. After that, let the smorgasbord of rumours begin ... No matter what the Lightning says, Vincent Lecavalier is available. The talk among NHL executives is that Tampa's ownership group has told GM Brian Lawton to deal Lecavalier and his massive contract, which is $10-million US next season. While all the talk regarding a deal involving the star centre was focused on the Canadiens, it appears the Kings are serious suitors as well. The talk is the Kings are having issues getting defenceman Jack Johnson, who is coming off an entry-level contract, signed, so there may be a fit. The 28-year-old Lecavalier would also add some star power to the Kings -- something that is expected in La La Land. And adding a player like Lecavalier might accelerate the Kings' growth under coach Terry Murray. Sources say the Oilers also made a pitch for Lecavalier last season and remain interested. Lawton vehemently denied having trade talks with anyone. "There isn't one single thing going on with (Lecavalier) ... not one," Lawton told Sun Media. "And I continue to read it everywhere. It's a farce. I haven't talked to one single person about it. As they say, don't let the truth get in the way of a good story." Lawton did admit he's getting plenty of attention for the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, but hasn't received an offer that interests him. "I'm always interested in listening to options, but my preference is not to trade the pick," said Lawton. "In the long term, if you want to build, and you have to look at the models around the league like Chicago and Pittsburgh and Washington, they're all built with younger players and higher picks. "We're not living in a cave from that scenario. We're fully aware of it. We were able to get (Steve) Stamkos last year and to be able to add another player is an amazing opportunity." One of the most aggressive people in pursuit of the Lightning's pick is Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke. He is sitting at No. 7 in the draft and has targeted London centre John Tavares. There have been suggestions Tavares' stock may have dropped because of an average playoff performance. That hasn't dampened Burke's enthusiasm for Tavares. "There's some whispers of (him falling)," said Burke. "But I don't know why you would drop a kid if he has a tough playoff. You get a 17-year-old, and let's say his girlfriend breaks up with him, that could make him go in the toilet for a month. "For a guy to have to a tough week or two, or a tough playoff series, if that makes other teams drop him, then I say good." Burke said he has held discussions with all five teams at the top of the draft -- Islanders, Lightning, Avalanche, Thrashers and Kings -- but can't get anybody to bite on a proposal. "We intend to move up if we can. Nothing has happened yet," said Burke. "I'm not going to do it at any price. My ego isn't that big that I'm going to make a dramatic overpayment just so I can move up. If it's something that makes sense we're going to try it. "It's June 1. The two times that I have been successful in making a deal it's been on the floor (at the draft). I'm not discouraged yet." Another GM getting a lot of attention is San Jose's Doug Wilson. Sources say he has gotten numerous calls about captain Patrick Marleau and centre Joe Thornton after a first-round exit from the playoffs, thanks to the Ducks. Wilson insisted he isn't going to move either player, but he wants to make moves. "There will be some level of changes," said Wilson. "We will listen to every phone call. We're not going to stop pushing until we get to where we want to get to." Nothing will get serious until the Stanley Cup final is over, but the groundwork was laid at the meetings. "What you do here is schedule a phone call later on or start initial discussions," said Senators GM Bryan Murray. slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/TampaBay/2009/06/03/9660206-sun.html |
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Post by BadCompany on Jun 4, 2009 8:15:28 GMT -5
The smart “hockey” move would be for the Lightning would be to trade Lecavalier. They could do an instant rebuild and set themselves up to be a powerhouse for years to come, should they do that. But of course it would be a marketing and financial disaster, should they do so.
Having said that, I’m not sure we’re the best fit for them. If I were the Lightning I would be targeting:
1. Colorado: Pierre Lacroix once tried to trade four first rounders for Lecavalier – is he still interested? Like Brian Burke he does consider himself to be a hockey genius, what better way to prove it? He’d have to dump some salary, but there are always ways around those sort of things. Start with the #3 overall and go from there. Say the 3rd overall, defensive prospect (and former first rounder) Kevin Shattenkirk and whatever salary dumps are necessary to make it work for Lecavalier? That would allow the Lightning to draft TWO of Tavares, Hedman and Duchene, to go along with Shattenkirk. Then trade Martin St. Louis straight up for Jack Johnson? Finish the day with a team that has Stamkos, Johnson, Hedman, Duchene and Shattenkirk on it?Instant rebuild.
2. Atlanta: Ridiculously dangerous, of course, to trade within your own division like that, but could this be the type of deal that would work for both teams? Lecavalier and Kovalchouk would be dynamite and give the Thrashers a real chance at the playoffs (as well as go a long way towards convincing Ilya to stick around). Say Tobias Enstom along with that fourth overall? Lightning get (hypothetically) Enstrom, Hedman and whoever they think is going to be the best of Kane or Schenn. Mind you, Atlanta has their own money problems, so I guess it wouldn’t work.
3. LA: Possibly the best fit, given the stockpile of young defenseman they have over there, and the fact that it would put Lecavalier far, far away. Jack Johnson, Colton Teubert and the 5th overall? What a rebuild that would be, if the Lightning finished the day with Johnson, Teubert, Hedman and say Schenn…
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Post by OopyDoopy on Jun 4, 2009 19:56:16 GMT -5
The smart “hockey” move would be for the Lightning would be to trade Lecavalier. They could do an instant rebuild and set themselves up to be a powerhouse for years to come, should they do that. But of course it would be a marketing and financial disaster, should they do so. Having said that, I’m not sure we’re the best fit for them. If I were the Lightning I would be targeting: 1. Colorado: Pierre Lacroix once tried to trade four first rounders for Lecavalier – is he still interested? Like Brian Burke he does consider himself to be a hockey genius, what better way to prove it? He’d have to dump some salary, but there are always ways around those sort of things. Start with the #3 overall and go from there. Say the 3rd overall, defensive prospect (and former first rounder) Kevin Shattenkirk and whatever salary dumps are necessary to make it work for Lecavalier? That would allow the Lightning to draft TWO of Tavares, Hedman and Duchene, to go along with Shattenkirk. Then trade Martin St. Louis straight up for Jack Johnson? Finish the day with a team that has Stamkos, Johnson, Hedman, Duchene and Shattenkirk on it?Instant rebuild. 2. Atlanta: Ridiculously dangerous, of course, to trade within your own division like that, but could this be the type of deal that would work for both teams? Lecavalier and Kovalchouk would be dynamite and give the Thrashers a real chance at the playoffs (as well as go a long way towards convincing Ilya to stick around). Say Tobias Enstom along with that fourth overall? Lightning get (hypothetically) Enstrom, Hedman and whoever they think is going to be the best of Kane or Schenn. Mind you, Atlanta has their own money problems, so I guess it wouldn’t work. 3. LA: Possibly the best fit, given the stockpile of young defenseman they have over there, and the fact that it would put Lecavalier far, far away. Jack Johnson, Colton Teubert and the 5th overall? What a rebuild that would be, if the Lightning finished the day with Johnson, Teubert, Hedman and say Schenn… When I read this the first thing that comes to mind is how can they be any worst as far as marketing and financial? I read somewhere that you get free tickets to a Tampa game when you buy a case of beer right now, not sure how it could get worst. The next thing that comes to mind is, there is no way the Canadiens can come even close to those offers for quality, maybe more in quantity. Also do you think those teams would give that much up for Lecavalier and his contract? These contracts have to start to be like the NBA where they are just basically dumped for cap space and a prospect. |
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jun 5, 2009 8:28:23 GMT -5
The smart “hockey” move would be for the Lightning would be to trade Lecavalier. They could do an instant rebuild and set themselves up to be a powerhouse for years to come, should they do that. But of course it would be a marketing and financial disaster, should they do so. Having said that, I’m not sure we’re the best fit for them. If I were the Lightning I would be targeting: 1. Colorado: Pierre Lacroix once tried to trade four first rounders for Lecavalier – is he still interested? Like Brian Burke he does consider himself to be a hockey genius, what better way to prove it? He’d have to dump some salary, but there are always ways around those sort of things. Start with the #3 overall and go from there. Say the 3rd overall, defensive prospect (and former first rounder) Kevin Shattenkirk and whatever salary dumps are necessary to make it work for Lecavalier? That would allow the Lightning to draft TWO of Tavares, Hedman and Duchene, to go along with Shattenkirk. Then trade Martin St. Louis straight up for Jack Johnson? Finish the day with a team that has Stamkos, Johnson, Hedman, Duchene and Shattenkirk on it?Instant rebuild. 2. Atlanta: Ridiculously dangerous, of course, to trade within your own division like that, but could this be the type of deal that would work for both teams? Lecavalier and Kovalchouk would be dynamite and give the Thrashers a real chance at the playoffs (as well as go a long way towards convincing Ilya to stick around). Say Tobias Enstom along with that fourth overall? Lightning get (hypothetically) Enstrom, Hedman and whoever they think is going to be the best of Kane or Schenn. Mind you, Atlanta has their own money problems, so I guess it wouldn’t work. 3. LA: Possibly the best fit, given the stockpile of young defenseman they have over there, and the fact that it would put Lecavalier far, far away. Jack Johnson, Colton Teubert and the 5th overall? What a rebuild that would be, if the Lightning finished the day with Johnson, Teubert, Hedman and say Schenn… While we might not have a Jack Johnson (who's good but is a contractual headach and is apparently already seeking a 5mil contract...) to offer, guys like McDonnagh, Subban, Pacioretty are pretty highly touted prospects... SK, despite his last season drop, still must be considered a guy with very good potential, heck AK remains a young player with 30+ goals potential and not too long ago, Crhis Higgins was the main player Atlanta wanted for Marian Hossa. We might not have a franchise player to give but I think we can provide quite a good mix of great prospects. Plus there is this cap thing... The Kings would be at about 50mil of cap space by taking Vinny's contract. I ask again, when you have Anze Kopitar on board, why would you seek Lecavalier? They know they'd be handcuffed for years to come, especially with the cap droping. Similar situation in Colorado, they would be at about 50mil as well with Vinny and they still have to sign an NHL goalie. They have Statsny as their rising star center, again, why do you need Vinny. In both cases, Viiny's contract would a burden that would greatly limit any further improvement and all they'd have achieved is improve an area (centerline) that in both cases can be improved with much cheaper options (ie, a second line center). Montreal badly needs an improvement at center and with Vinny we would be at around 30mil so we still would have roughly 20mil to put a team around him... I know his NTC doesn't kick in until July but I wonder how much of a say Lecavalier would have in trade talks... IMO very few team have all 3 elements required for that trade, (1)the real need for a franchise center, (2) the cap to accomodate it, (3) the enticing prospect base. I still think Montreal is the best scenario for both trading teams as well as Vinny himself. |
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