Tampa Bay Lightning team founder and NHL Hall of Famer Phil Esposito implored ownership not to trade team captain Vincent Lecavalier today in remarks to Ira Kaufman at the Tampa Tribune.

"You treat a player like that with loyalty and respect because you know all the other players are watching. It's not Vinny's fault that they're overpaying him. Vinny has kept his mouth shut through all this turmoil.

"If they deal Vinny, it's strictly money, period...It can't be spun any other way. If you think you're making your team better, fine, but don't trade Vinny for money. I've been there. It's the wrong thing to do."