The Ballad of Vincent Lecavalier

by John Fontana on May 28, 2009 5:29 PM EDT in Lightning and NHL Rumors

Lightning Shout, another member of the Tampa Bay Boltosphere, gathered a number of comments from insiders, head honchos, fans, bloggers, media-type-persons and what not to put together a lengthy post regarding the opinion of whether captain Vincent Lecavalier should be kept or dealt.

Some views are about the basic situation, such as how Vincent costs the Bolts too much and that's why he ought to be dealt:

Jeff Morrill from Riverview, FL: Vinny Lecavalier possibly traded? He may be known as the face of the franchise but I think he's paid more than he should be. When you have a team struggling as a whole I think the Lightning’s money would be better spent filling the many holes in the roster. As St Louis remains the heart of the team, Stamkos has the potential to be as good, if not better, than Lecavalier. Let's face it, we're rebuilding.

Others address the fact that it's not so simple, given who is calling the shots on a deal:

BoltHonker from Plant City, FL: Are you freaking kidding me? Oren Klueless is ignorant if he lets this happen. Lawton has no shame as he has already shown by hiring his wife without any thought of what the fans would think. If he trades “The Franchise” he will destroy hockey here in Tampa forever. Vinny does so much for children’s cancer and other Tampa community causes. This will seal Lawton’s legacy…”the idiot who traded Vinny.”

With a healthy dose or remarks and opinions from many more sources (including remarks from ownership and management itself), WBPhilip gives a grand overview of the large scope of opinions attached to the question of trading Vincent Lecavalier. And in most cases, it's from a local perspective and not the wishful-thinking, what-if mentality that is so often the driving force behind the question of a trade.

The simplest way to summarize everything from the post is this: it ain't a black-and-white, yes-or-no question unless you're chaffing at the bit to see a deal get done that sends #4 away from Tampa.

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Comments

Is this really an issue?

OK so you don’t deal Vin, you keep him and his 10 mill a yr contract. Then What?
Seriously, as a Habs fan, I write not about what I wish would happen, I am speaking soley from the view point that a team is in trouble financially and they need a plan.

In today’s market, and cap system, offering 10 million a year is ludacris (sp?). Even if Vinny is traded there will be a lot of discussion surrounding who will be paying the money. Would TB be on the hook for some? Therein lies another issue. What would people be expecting with a deal at this point? Would they trade away Vinny for a 1st or 2nd D, a budding prospect C and a few draft picks? Would they trade him away for a package of current talents of various positions (say 2 C, 2D, and a G for insurance on Smith?) Or maybe a package of Wingers?

It will still come down to money. As the more you trade for the likely more you will have to pay out. Though 10 mill could pay the salary of all that you trade for, potentially.

And People in Tampa Bay really need to get over the “Face of the Franchise” tag that Vinny is wearing. I mean a little known sport (hockey) was Really turned Upside down when The Great One got traded State side over 20 yrs ago. That team still exists, and is looking pretty bright for a playoff spot in 2009/10. Vinny, although a HUGE part of TB hockey, will never do for hockey what Gretzky did by being traded to LA.

Is it better to be realistic about the state of today’s game and get what you need than to be optimistic about what you wish things to be?? You decide.

We’ll watch Vinny no matter where he ends up playing… will you?

by Cruisin4aBruisin on Jun 9, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions