Vaclav Prospal's tenure with Tampa Bay to end

by John Fontana on Jul 28, 2009 11:58 AM EDT in The Team Comment 8 comments

The third time is not the charm for Vaclav "Vinny" Prospal.

The third tenure of Prospal with the Lightning (with stopover's in Anaheim -- 2003-04 -- and Philadelphia -- 2007-08) has come to an end today as the Tampa Bay Lightning have notified Prospal of intentions to buy out the remainder of the left wing's contract.

Prospal, 34, was one of many Lightning disappointments last season with 19 goals, 45 points in 82 games. He also was minus-20; only three players in the league were worse.

"After fully evaluating our roster and our position in the salary cap world, we arrived at the decision to buy out Vaclav Prospal from his contract," GM Brian Lawton said in a statement. "We appreciate Vinny's service to the Lightning, but in the best interest of the team, we believe a difficult decision needed to be made in this case, and we are going to move ahead without him. We wish Vinny all the best."

And suddenly, the Lightning have another gaping hole -- offensively -- that needs to be addressed.

Everything was not perfect with Prospal. A minus-20 last season, Prospal was a defensive liability while contributing 45 points in 82 games last season. He was one of the only players that can boast staying healthy during a season where everyone on the Lightning roster was hampered by injuries.

This begs the question, however, what is in store next for the Lightning and how are they going to address a new found shortage on the wing?

After this move, the Bolts have three left wing's under contract for 2009-10 (not counting prospects in the system). There is a serious chance that the Lightning could use money saved in this deal to make a push for Alex Tanguay or Petr Sykora who are both rumored to be possible signings by the Lightning.

In fact, Jon Jordan reported via twitter that the Bolts did intend to spend the money saved through moving Prospal to sign someone.... which begs the question, who?

Also in the system who now find themselves in better position to fight for a roster spot are LW's Dana Tyrell (who impressed at rookie camp earlier this month) and 2009 3rd round draft pick Alex Hutchings.

It's going to be very interesting to see how this plays out in the next few days... I know Prospal has a loyal following among the Lightning faithful, he also has his detractors. Either way, the exuberant Prospal's career with the Bolts is over and it's time to look ahead to what comes next.

Poll

What do you think of the Lightning plan to waive/buy out Vaclav Prospal?

Upset

39 votes

Relieved

27 votes

Waiting to see what the Bolts do before judging this move

94 votes

160 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

This move boggles the mind. Tampa can pay him the low price of 3.5 a year until 2012 or have over 1 million tied up for the next 6 season with nothing in return.

I don’t get how this opens up room for anyone other than Ovechkin. Doesn’t Tampa have almost 10million in Cap space for this season?

As you said yourself, the top 6 isn’t bubbling with talent right now and he was at least proven to produce. The defensive liability might be true but the whole team was a defensive liability last season.

by zephyr on Jul 28, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Prospal wasn't playing like top-six

What boggles the mind is that the Bolts signed him to a four year contract last season for as much money as they did when they knew he was 33. The Bolts might have money under the cap to spare but they’re clearly on a budget too — so the cap number is deceptive compared to the plan for the team’s final payroll going into the season.

I’m not upset but it is head-scratching. Unless there are plans to both unload some of the NHL level D-men for forward depth AND sign a top-six forward.

The Raw Charge -- the Tampa Bay Lightning weblog at SB Nation.

by John Fontana on Jul 28, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that the initial signing for that length and amount was the root of the problem. I guess the real question as you say is what they do after this.

As it stands I don’t think it made the team any better or really saved much money if looking at the bigger picture.

by zephyr on Jul 28, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

short term -- more money saved

Long term, not as much money saved (as you’ve noted). 2.3 extra under the cap with prospal bought out. until his contract expires. Then again, someone might pick him up on waivers (doubtful).

One piece of speculation out there is that the Lightning may have done this while already having future plans in place — but Prospal had to go first. I sa signing of Sykora or Tanguay imminent? Or both? The Lightning already had need for a top six winger. Now they need two.

The Raw Charge -- the Tampa Bay Lightning weblog at SB Nation.

by John Fontana on Jul 28, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get it

If you look at Prospal’s career numbers, he alternates between good and bad every year. One year good, one year bad. Its amazingly consistent. Last year was a scheduled down year. This year therefore should have been good. I would have waited until after this year to buy out, or at least a bit into the season to see if he bucks the trend or not.

by TampaFL on Jul 28, 2009 3:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But do you bank on that consistent up-down trend witha 34 year old?

One with a No-trade clause that you couldn’t move at the deadline for another player and would only be delaying the inevitable by keeping him another year?

The Raw Charge -- the Tampa Bay Lightning weblog at SB Nation.

by John Fontana on Jul 28, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just What Cents Does This Make?

Yes, Vaclav was -20 for the year, but look at the support he was getting. The defense (what DEFENSE?) had huge gaping holes for the past two years. Placing the burden on one player is rediculous. The are heading for another year of obscurity.

by JRHACK on Jul 28, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

In an ironic sense...

I find this kind of funny. Coincidental really. Your remark reminded me of something I told a ticket rep when Prospal made the team over Shane Willis in 2002-03. I couldn’t see past it and thought it was bad move. The Bolts surprised me, to say the least.

The burden can’t be heaped on one player – this is the truth. And one player being cut shouldn’t lead to “another year of obscurity”. It’s also still July – the offseason lingers for another month and a half. Too many things have gone right so far to see this as one big wrong for the direction of the franchise.

The Raw Charge -- the Tampa Bay Lightning weblog at SB Nation.

by John Fontana on Jul 29, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs