Career decisions for Lecavalier

Had an interesting talk with Kent Hughes, the agent for Lightning star Vinny Lecavalier. He said he is keeping track of all the changes coming to the Tampa Bay organization -- Oren Koules' OK Hockey taking ownership and Barry Melrose apparently taking over as coach -- but said he does not believe it will affect the team's commitment to sign Lecavalier to a long-term deal.

More than that, Hughes said his impression is the Lightning wants Lecavalier "to finish his career with the organization."

"I've had no specific conversations," Hughes added, "but the inferences I've drawn is the team's intention is to keep Vinny in the organization. Whether that is with a series of contracts or one contract, it's too early to tell."

Lightning general manager Jay Feaster has said the Lightning wants to lock Lecavalier in. Koules is believed to want the same, preferably before Lecavalier becomes a free agent after next season. Teams can sign their players to extensions beginning July 1.

That the Lightning will work to lock in Lecavalier for the rest of his career is not earth-shattering news; it really is a no-brainer. But it is the first time it has been publicly stated. That should be welcomed news for Lightning fans who are watching the reshaping of their team and aren't quite sure at this point where all the chips will land. And after the trade of Brad Richards, keeping Lecavalier is probably like throwing a life line to fans who have suffered through the free fall.

Hughes reiterated what Lecavalier has said before.

"Vinny," he said, "wants to stay in Tampa."

Now, can I please start my vacation? 

Comments

[boltflasher]

Yes, Bear and Don, thanks, I actually left out a category of realist which is somehwere between the optimist and the pessimist...however, there are levels to that to too, as I am in the crowd that it will take a couple of years to get back but the division is so bad they might get in if Wash takes a dive after their success last year...I was generally just trying to provide some humour...as there has been some "extremes" on some of these issues

[bear]

Agreed NTMM

[Not The Marlboro Man]

With a nimrod like feaster making out the pay checks I gurantee vinny doesn't get less than 8.5 mil a year for at least 3 years. What he makes after that a year is anyone's guess.

[bear]

I prefer to see the bloggers here in a more simplistic way.
There are the manic "bolts are a step away crowd" and the realist's.

Nothing spoils a manics party more than reality. But reality isn't pessimism and it's an affront to be branded as a pessimist for reality.

Where's the Shrink when you need him?

Case in point for the manic side was the recent post indicating basically Vinny can't wait to sign long term for 7 million a year. That's flat out delusion.

He gets Ovetchkin money, he's worth it. Only a 1.5-2 mill year discrepency a year x say 5 years?

Come on.

[Don in St. Pete]

Boltflasher, I have to commend you on and excellent observation. Although we haven't always seen eye to eye, you've made very valid and concise statements here. My question is, which camp do you put yourself in? I put myself in #2, and I believe with good reason. While the Free agency period has yet to play out, I have a feeling that we may be in good postition with so many other teams already in close proximity to the cap and having to sign UFA's. There were a lot of players last year and there will be some this year but many teams are nearly handcuffed. This bodes well for a Lightning team with some glaring holes to fill but a good number and higher quality field of free agents than last year.

[boltflasher]

Well, I think we have several camps on this blog: 1)the Eternal optimists that believe, no matter what, the Lightning are next year's Stanley Cup champs, 2) the Openly optimistic that think only a couple of free agents along with the healthy return of all the injured will again return the Bolts to contender status, 3) the Guarded optimists that think the Bolts CAN make a run at the playoffs with the right offseason moves, but are not sure that those moves will be made, 4) the Guaded pessimist, who think that Bolts may return to the playoffs but it will take a couple of years because there is too much to do no matter what they do personnel and cap-wise, 5) the Openly pessimistic that we're looking at several years no matter what and several #1 PICKS, 6) the HOSTILE who naysay everything even those who make statments that agree with their own posts, and finally 7) the DOOM and GLOOM who predict all the players will leave, the fans will not show up, the team will move, and the league will fold...followed finally by ice formation in the nether regions where I and my friends will ultimately be...

[Don in St. Pete]

Badbud, Don't be so skeptical. You're going to develop an ulcer if you don't have 1 already. The cap will continue to go up a certain percent every year and I believe Vinny can be signed for around 8 years @ $7Mil to start ending at $9Mil. Either way he wants to stay in Tampa and has basically may the area his home. We should be proud and ecstatic that he's interested in ending his career here.

[Badbud]

Yeah, Vinny here to stay, if your boy Koules can come up with about 8.5-9 Million for 8-9 Years.then Vinny stays,Vinny should be in No Hurry,not till He see what Hollywood is all about.

In other word's, Vinny DON"T drink the Kool-aid Like some on this Blog have,and some more than just 1 glass.

[wahls]

Well I have to say that I'm with Don, Elwood and Matt here. Sometimes I wonder why I continue to read these comments, all it does is make me scratch my head and wonder if you guys are actually Lightning fans and know anything about hockey or how to run a business. I wish people were more optimistic, you are all a bunch of Debbie Downers. We have no where to go but up. I know I'm excited to see what Koules brings to the table, if you aren't then that is fine. None of us know what he is going to do (I know many of you think you do), I'm going to remain optimistic. I would love to see what all of you have to say if Koules comes in and brings us legitimate free agents and spends a competitive amount of money (because news flash, you don't know if he has money for payroll or not and don't even try with the PS&E loaning crap to convince me of anything). Will you go ahead and eat that big bowl of crow?

And for the love of God, please stop with all of the "trade Vinny now!!!!1111oneone" talk and the "why would he want to stay here?!?!" crap. How many times does the man have to say that he wants to stay with the Bolts before you believe it? I fully expect that on July 1st, all Vinny is going to have to do is sign the paperwork, no matter who the owner is or who the coach is. Ever think that maybe Vinny isn't only interested in money and fame and that he actually feels loyal to the community and fan base that loves him and helped make him who he is? Or maybe that, gasp, he actually likes it here in Tampa Bay? Besides, he is looking for a house closer to the beach and unless he plans on having to sell another multi-million dollar house in this economy in the near future, like it or not, I think he is here to stay.

[Don in St. Pete]

I agree that as we sit here today there is major work that needs to be done, but I firmly believe we have a foundation that could be solidified with the addition of 3-4 free agents. We have some excellent defensive prospects down at Norfolk, that could be ready to step in in 09. I'm also a fan and am committed to remaining optomistic.

Don Got No problem with you, just your Take that this Team is Close. This team is No Where Close, to close.

And if you are Really the hockey expert you say you are ,You Know it.

[Don in St. Pete]

Well spoken Elwood! I hope you'll continue to weigh in. Badbud is on here just waiting to pounce on the next poor sucker. I did play field hockey once in a co-ed gym class in high school. I hope some more fresh meat comes along to satiate your appetite Badbud.

[Badbud]

And Yet after all that crap here you are posting away ,,so guess who the Hack is Now

[Elwood P. Dowd]

Always a pleasure learning the intricate game of hockey from the sagacious wannabe's on this blog. Yep, Pole Dancer, the shrink, and the litany of other hit-and-run freakazoids are what this is all about, eh? Listen to them and you'll be oooh so smart.

Don from St. Pete learned why so many bloggers insulate themselves with monikers and refrain from personal info. There are far too many skulking shadowy losers that take abuse in everyday life and turn around to dish garbage here, under the protection of anonymity.

Charming. It's a very telling and sad commentary on the intelligence level of the average---not all----but average Tampa Bay hockey hack. Duh, Tampa sports in general, too.

Bang on, brothers and sisters; this nonsense beats telly-tube...

[PD]

Boltsfan I guess that means Melrose ain't coming right? Strachan had that locked in April.

[pd]

Bolts have survived ticketwise last few years based on the BS marketing of the Cup dynasty big three.

My sense is that most fans have now figured out that this is a crap hockey team as their 1st over all draft pick will attest.

So further to Bad buds question on what the nut is to rent the team from PSE, how about taking a guess at the ticket renewal rate with a bad team and a bad local economy?

Signing Vinny, paying the nut and a bad economy sure don't add up to max cap to me.

Look towards a heavy marketing of Stamkos and Melrose to the not so hockey savvy.

Vinny would be crazy to climb into that soup, but who knows.

This team has to go young and cheap and hold on for a few years wile they develop some players.

[boltsfan]

Agreed HockeyBuzz and Strachan are jokes, if you are taking them as your truth no wonder your arguments are so screwed. And please teams with a number one goalie only made the playoffs, several teams like Montreal, Detroit, Nashville I could go on played tandem or switched at various points with no clear cut number one. Yet no they werent successful....

Ramo and Smith as a tandem is the best chance of successful goaltending we have, neither are a clear cut number one YET, but undoubtedly out of those two and Helenius one will emerge whether it be sooner or later.

[Badbud]

Hey Matt just how do you think it is Better with Koules?

Hollywood had to get PS&E to tote the Note,for him to even get this team.

Just how much $$$ is he going to threw around,Better question,do you know what the Nut is on 100 Million dollar Loan.

You dont think Vinny is going to wait and see before he sign,Plus here we are at Money again,It id going to take HUGE $$$$ and Lots of years to get it done,Think Ovekin #'s,you might be close.

[bear]

Maybe to you Matt..let's all wait and see.

[matt]

I think i'll go by what DC wrote when speaking directly to Vinny's agent. HockeyBuzz is a joke....

[Matt]

Previewing your Comment
"FYI the NHL has Hollywood on Gag order,But imagine what would be flying around if they Didn't."

Well, whatever was flying around would be an actual quote and statements from the owner! Not what a writer or "talking heads" may interpret.

"It is Not done deal and I hope they tell Koules to take a hike, I know it wont happen, But don't see him as good owner."

Yeah, let's just keep the same owners who couldn't care less about this team and community. Ones who refuse to hold the GM or coach accountable for anything. Yeah, that sounds peachy! Sounds like a last place finish to me.

[bear]

Hockey Buzz has Vinny balking at a long term deal if Koules takes over.
What a surprise.

Much like Strachan called 3 months ago along with Melrose to Bolts.
Guess we see soon how it plays out.

Anxiety time Lisa.

Bang on Badbud re: the wishfull dreamers.

[Badbud]

Matt show back up when Mullet is coach.

FYI the NHL has Hollywood on Gag order,But imagine what would be flying around if they Didn't.

It is Not done deal and I hope they tell Koules to take a hike,I know it wont happen,But dont see him as good owner.

[Matt]

Incoming team owner Oren Koules has pushed for the hiring of Melrose in an effort to further sell the team and the sport in Florida."

Anyone who quotes a Canadian paper has some serious issues!!! Grow up man, that wasn't a direct quote from Koules but rather some idiot Canadian writer putting his own 2 cents in. (Here's a shocker, a Canadian taking a cheap shot at a FLA hockey team) If you read the article you would have seen zero quotes from anybody related to the coaching change. But hey, if guys on local radio can go on about something that hasn't happened yet and state it as fact, then whatever..... It definatly shows their intelligence.....

[Badbud]

Sure you were,but does field hockey really count?I was a Paramedic-Fire Figther for 25 years but that dont make me and expert in Neurosurgery.

When you say this is a team that is close,you lose all credability,this team is not even close to being close.

[Don in St. Pete]

Sorry Badbud and PD if you disagree with my position but the flyers farm team had no bearing in their run this year. Their best minor league prospect is now with the Lightning. The signed Briere and Jason Smith and got Upshall at the trade deadline last year. While for the most part they've built from within, Biron came by trade as did Hartnell, Timonen and Modry. I wish you guys would at least do your homework before you insult me. I wasn't a bench warmer by the way but captain of my team at every level I played. I was a tough stay at home defenseman that could join the rush and run the PP. Thanks for asking.

[Badbud]

Bolts have had Goalies "Duking it out"
Since June 7th 2004,How is that working out for you? not to good.

Till such time as they get one,they will be right where they are now Dead Last.

[PD]

Uh Don, the Flyers had something called a farm system , I know a foreign term here.

See carter Richards etc.

They also went out and got guys like Biron and Briere spending max cap.

Not happenin here.

[Don in St. Pete]

Badbud, Sorry to ruin your logic but Detroit benched Hasek who'd been the starter all year after the 4th game in the Nashville series and went with Osgood from there on out. I'm not suggesting we alternate goalies only that we give them a chance to duke it out in training camp and see what we've got. The kind of goalie your talking about can really only be gotten in trade and we would have to give up lecavalier to get a goalie of that quality.

[Badbud]

And if you think this team is Close to Winning,then you were a Bench warmer and Not a very good coach.

Tamdem Goalies, don't work over the long haul. Every team that made the PO's this season,had one thing in commomn, a #1 goalie

[Don in St. Pete]

Badbud, Pd and others. Lots of issues here no doubt, not the least of which is the coach running the top two lines into the ground. Of course if we had a little more parity down to the 3rd and 4th lines Tort's may not have been compelled to do that, though if I remember correctly he never played the 4th line much. We need some skaters, a couple of 2 way forwards who can score and a top 4 defenseman. I never thought I would miss Sarich this much. As a hockey player for 12 years and a coach for a few more I think I have a grasp on assessing talent to a certain degree and we are not totally devoid of that. many of our players played hurt last year and others were asked to step into a role for which they weren't suited. Give the Goalie tandem a fresh start and more than 19 games after a pressure packed trade to prove themselves. Remember the Flyers were atrocious last year ( we swept 4 from them ) and were two wins away from the Stanley Cup this year. If you have this little faith in the team you are either lacking in hockey knowledge or rooting for the wrong team.

[Badbud]

Incoming team owner Oren Koules has pushed for the hiring of Melrose in an effort to further sell the team and the sport in Florida.

This well be good for some,as so many still are clueless.

Yeah, Never ask your Star players to be your Star Players.

[ajax]

T-you Judson, I might add Danny Boyle 7x's played over 30 minutes this year, yes, that is over half the game. There was one nine game stretch in February that Boyle "averaged" over 32 minutes per game.
Enough stats, my point was the abuse of minutes shows how little depth we have and to get back on top. We need 3rd and 4th lines that play 10-15 minutes a night (see Wings and Penguins) The other point, that it will be more of the same if Torts is still here, and I have always had the opinion that nothing Tortorella does more disrespects the game and the players than this crack the whip type coaching. It is all about his will and nothing about the good of the players or the future of the team. Just John, at that moment and that game, being paramount to John Tortorella. Life is usually not dictated by such thinking. That is why good riddance is in order for Coach!!!

[Judson]

Badbud, Marty is 13th in the league in ice time per game for the ENTIRE league. However AJAX's stats were correct for FORWARDS, as he stated.

[boltflasher]

Don, all NHL teams have players that can play...the good teams play for 60 min, the bad ones don't...

[Badbud]

You want to go check you Ice time Stats,again.
Marty is 13th only player from lightning in top 15.go check . when talking Ice I am talking NHL,not just the Lightning

[ajax]

Was watching the Wings-Pens last night and took this from the game.
Crosby was a human cannon ball, so much energy, speed and grit, and then with about 12 minutes to go in the game they put up an eyepopping stat. Crosby had played 15 minutes. HE must of played 7of last 12 minutes, as he finished with 22 minutes.
Hey Sid, welcome to the wonderful world of TBL stars playing every other shift. But it was game 4 of the Cup finals. Our guys do that every night, even when the season is over, all to prove to Coach Torts that they need to lead by example and play hard each and every shift etc etc etc. (blah blah blah would be better)
For all of you who love VL4, Torts better be on his way out, or Torts will turn him into an old man way before his time.
I love Vinny, he is a joy to watch, but even more he is something we have little of these days. A star who is a better person than he is a player.
I just am not sure with the state of the franchise that we wouldn't be better served with the mega deal. How Koules spends will be the test of time. VL4 wrapped up for 5 years is great headlines, but he can't keep playing 27 minutes a night if we really want to get back to being a contender.
Let's all hope Sawman wants to win and win this very instant.
I am still not renewing until I see changes and direction. I was a season ticket holder when there was 11,000 in the seats. Without ownership commitment I don't want to go down that same path in 09 and 10.
Someone suggested "core" I say pleeeease.
Someone questioned ice time.
End of year stats, from NHL.com
Average ice time per game, forwards
St. louis 1st
Richards 2nd
Vl4 4th
Average ice time per game , Dmen
Boyle 2nd, by 4 seconds per game, If he didn't only play 10 minutes his first game back he would of led the entire NHL in minutes per game.
I think it is safe to say we need more than one or two players to get back to being "close"

[PD]

Man if Don and the Unrealities posting here about a cup revival aren't shill's, then I truly have empathy for them.

Maybe the Shrink can weight in.

Meanwhile, I'll bite. With a lesson or two and a few hours on the range, I'm taking a shot at the US Open in two weeks. I believe.

That fact is only lost on those who think this team is a couple of players away.

BTW if one of IS NOT a Real Goalie,then it don't matter,How is Koules,who had to get Financial help to buy this going to do all this and pay the NUT on 1 Million $$$ loan.

[Herb]

One fact of last season that everyone seems to have forgotten is that the Bolts earned only 1 point when they were trailing after 2 periods of play and that equals out to having NO HEART as a team. What does that fact dictate about how BAD the team really was last year? I think that it speaks volumes! The team was as bad as their record dictates.

[Another Joe]

Vinny4 locked up for at least the next 5 years and with Stamkos coming in the future is looking good!

Ramo/Smith battling it out for playing time pushing each other. Now we just need to improve our blue line. Picard was a start. Ranger stepping it up a notch next year will help also.

My wish is one free agent forward and one solid stay at home blue liner. I knw we need more but im being realistic.

[Steve]

Don, I disagree that the backbone of the team that won the cup is still here. The Conn Smythe winner (Richards) is gone, the next 2 guys in line for that award (Fedotenko, Khabibulin) are gone. While I'd love to lock up Vinny long-term, he was our 4th best player during our Cup run IMO. I do agree we can make significant strides with Stamkos and 2 or 3 FA signings, please no European specials Feaster, real NHL players. I do think a top 4 defenseman and a scoring winger should be our top 2 priorities. Our defense was the worst in the league last year and doesn't stand to be much better at this point.

[Badbud]

Don,
"we lost 21 games when we were tied or ahead going into the 3rd period".

You say this like it is a postive,It is Not,KEY Word being "LOST" means BAD thing.

If the players are so tired,WHY do none of them make the top 10 in Ice time in NHL,Marty is 13th,if I recall.

The Bolts got exactly what they earned.
You are what your record states you are.

Smith yeah, he has shown only that he will play the puck,dont matter what is going on he is going to play the puck,Broduer Wanna-be,time will tell about him,and Ramo.

But till the Bolts get their Goalie Fixed nothing else really means much.till then it is all Smoke and BS.

[Nan]

I am one of the supporters of keeping Vinny here in a Lightning uniform for his entire career and seeing the #4 jersey hanging from the rafters. OK needs to sign him as a top priority this summer.

I agree with Don to a certain extent. The team lost a lot of games when they were ahead going into the third. If they had just won more of those!

There are so many unanswered questions with the owner situation, who knows how the team will do next year. Could be anywhere from playoff contenders to dead last again.

[Don in St. Pete]

I guess you guys must not have watched many Lightning games last year, otherwise you'd have seen that we lost 21 games when we were tied or ahead going into the 3rd period. A lot of that was because the top two lines were out of gas by the middle of the 3rd period. If we add a couple of good two way wingers and a veteran defenseman, maybe we win those games or at least get a point for a regulation tie. While there are holes, they can be filled quite easily and efficiently. While the jury may still be out on Smith, I like his athletesism and think he deserves a chance.

[boltflasher]

Don, it was the Bolts that finished last and their second worst record in their history. It was not a fluke...

[Badbud]

Halpren will be Nonfactor till Nov-Dec.

Smith has proved Nothing ,Bolts have No #1 goalie as we speak,and that has been the biggest factor in demise of lightning. till they get one ,who ever it is ,they will go Nowhere.

[Don in St. Pete]

10:20 the backbone of the team is still there. Remember the way Vinny elevated his game against Primeau? He physically won that series for us and got us to the final. Brad is gone, but in my opinion He was what he was, a 5th round pick with a great upside. He wss smart and used the players around him to his advantage. The past 2 years Brad didn't have squat to work with. Well, we got a couple more vertebrae of the backbone in exchange. I believe Smith will show he is a #1 this year. Halpern is that guy no ther teams top unit wants to play against. Jokinen didn't show much but he's fast and a great passer and could be a good fit with Stamkos.

Good bye Camp Torturella. That has got to a relief for some of the guys. Signing Vinny for his full career would be THE best move they have made in a long time. He is the face of this team. Along with a huge contract I hope they announce him as Captain. That would be fitting. Torts took it away from him and now he's gone. Good. I really hope people will give Barry Melrose a chance. A fresh start is what is needed. They could have stuck with Torts and it would have been par for the course. Same old stuff year after year and not getting better. We need a change. I love it.

Don ,you do know that the Cup Team is Long gone,Right. This team is way closer to last than 1st.

And speaking of Andy,he may be Out of job as well