For the sake of clarity, Vinny is staying

No one is eliminating Vinny. The superstar center will be with the organization the rest of his career.

The confusion, apparently, is because of a quote used Sunday from vice president of hockey operations, Brian Lawton to wrap up a story about the extrordinary commitment the Lightning made by signing players to one-way contracts of $194.32-million over the length of the deals. The final quote was supposed to bring the reader back to the story-opening debate in which Lawton said the sum is misleading because Lecavalier's new 11-year, $85-million extension represents almost half the amount. And if you take Vinny's contract out of the equation, the money doesn't seem as jaw-dropping.

So when Lawton said at the end, "If you eliminate Vinny ... " (a quote I shortened because Lawton took off in another direction at that point), he was talking about the contract in the context of evaluating how much money Tampa Bay has spent. He was not talking about eliminating him from the team.

Though I thought it was a good way to end the story, by bringing it back to the original debate, apologies to anyone who got the wrong impression.   

Comments

[Walt]

Vinny, OB, Smitty, and Richards were at Fleming's Steakhouse last night. It appeared that V4 was recovering well from the surgery but did not appear as muscular -- prolly due to limited function of shoulder post-op. It was nice to see them together enjoying dinner. Hope V4 picked up the tab! :-)

[keith]

When there is no hockey, we are all scraping for any tidbit, news, interpretation, hidden agenda etc. Hinging on every word from TBL. So its not surprising that these type of statements get broken down, analyzed and misunderstod. Lawton is probably reading the paper and thinking, geez, better plan my press talks a little better.
Glad to see Ritchie was in town. I for one, miss him!
Is it October yet?

[Walt's waiter]

I'd bet that Smith and Richards had a few things to compare notes about at dinner! Too bad that the ace Canadian TV hockey reporter, John Tortorella, didn't place a bug at the table.

[Boltflasher]

Hmmm...Fleming's, is that within the "controlled environment" Vinny needs to succeed John?

[Nan]

Good one Boltflasher. Vinny probably fell over laughing at that "structured environment" comment.

[ajax]

I for one said the same thing to my brother about the Torts comments about Vinny. Wasn't that a slap at Vinny's commitment level and maturity?? As much as John seems to spread the blame to everyone else, I am sure in his own mind he should get all the credit for Vinny leading the best darn league in the world in goals. The whole article just reeked of a guy who looks into the mirror an awful lot.

[Bryan]

Yet another personal attack.
Quite the blog

[léo]

Who leads in goals, Ajax?
I'm missing your point, I reckon.
P.

[schlomo]

Raise of hands on who can't wait for the opening face-off.

[Bryan (The Real One!)]

Let the clowns fight. Just start the damn season already.

[ajax]

Vinny led the league in goals 06-07. Did Vinny and his work ethic have anything to do with it or was it all Torts. Leo, stay off the moonshine silly.

[keith]

Schlomo.....two affirmed hands up (feet 'n all)
Lets get it on....hang up the cowboy hats, and play hockey. Then we will all have something a little more tangible to kick around the blog

[léo]

Ok. 2006-2007.
The way you wrote it, it's like V4 is ALWAYS leading in goals. Didn't lead this year. Or two years, or three, four, five years back. Was Tortie then WRONG for not WANTING to take the credit before it happened? It would've seemed like "excessive" ENCOURAGEMENT, no? And that's a GOOD thing, isn't it?
So that Tortie's encouragement ended the SECOND V4 lead in goals. Granted, maybe I read too much in your post.
I will try to cut back on me lager pints, if only fer you, mate.
P.

[mike p]

glad vinny is here to stay. i must say that i have been reading these blogs and comments for quite some time now and leo, are you sure you're not a blots fan? you are here an awful lot! though i must admit, your outsiders view is refreshing at times

[mike p]

make that "bolts"*

[léo]

Well then, what's the problemo, MikeP?
All you gotta do is click on the Mtl link on the top-right of this page and then you're with me. Just that easy.
Me name's Bugs. (leo was taken)
P.

[mike p]

sorry leo, i'm going to have to pass. it's a really tempting offer (not), but i'm a bolts fan forever and i am ready for a wicked 08-09 season!!

[Tackleberry]

Since we are still fresh with clarifying things, I wonder when fans will start tearing apart coaching/management/players "IF" they start out slow.

The regular bloggers here seem to agree that it will take some time to get the team connected. So what will be the date at which players and management/coaching will say that mistatkes are made "IF" the team starts out slow.

On the flip side, when will people say that management/coaching/players are brilliant "IF" the teamis off to a rocket start?

Personnaly, I would give the team until Jan 09 to make that call (either way). Whatever the case, I believe this team will be much better than last year. There is too much talent on the team to finish 30th this year again.

I dont know if they will make it to the playoffs. I hope they do. That would be a huge booster to the players and especially Melrose. I cant imagine the pressure and expectations he is under.

I will depart Qatar in two days, returning to Brandon. I am really looking forward to watching the Bolts again.

btw, I should have brought my skates tot he desert. Two of the malls in Doha, Qatar have ice skating rinks in them. There is also a hockey league here.

[bingo]

I will wait at least 20 games before placing judgement on the season. Think of it this way the Pats looked great and then OOPS down goes Brady. The bucs looked crappy and then down goes Brooks.
The unthinkables that is what happens in sport.

[bryan]

Right like down goes Vinny.

[Don in St. Pete]

I like the way our season starts off this year. While it gives us little time to practice and gel before the pre-season starts, the European trip to start the season has huge advantages, in that the players and staff will be hanging together all of the time, both on and off the ice for close to 2 weeks. It's especially beneficial to the Czech ( Prospal and Vrbata ) and Slovak ( Meszaros ) players to have preseason and season opening games in their home countries. I look for those 3 to get off to a quick start and for the team to gel quickly on this trip. By mid-December, we should know whether the team is a contender, or will struggle just to make the playoffs. A lot will depend upon the performance of our defense and whether they play to their ability or underacheive again. GO BOLTS!

[léo]

And yet, in the same circumstances, Don,
The champion Ducks blame their overseas trip last year for their mediocre season.
An adaptibility to a different timezone will DIRECTLY influence regular human steriod production.
The travel BACK also occasions such dysregulations that affect concentration and physical exertion.
TB should get to Prague (or wherever) AT LEAST a week in advance if they want to WIN those games, nevermind the travel back.
You SAW what happened to the Ducks at the beginning of last year; they were gettin beat more often than they should, to say the least. Ain't makin' anything up here; you saw it.
I see games abroad as an impedement, not an opportunity.
MO.
P.

[Steve R]

leo,

Playing 10/5, then a lag until 10/11 gives ample rest, imho. Still, I'm glad it isn't the Caps starting in Europe.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, The Bolts leave for Prague on the 25th of September, after our Pre-season game with the Rangers. They have pre-season games against Eisbaren Berlin on the 28th and HC Slovan on the 30th. Barring any injuries, I'm hopeful we'll be ready to rock the Rangers in Prague.

[ajax]

Leo, you think Niedermeyer and Selanne sitting out 28 and 56 games respectively had anything to do with their team being out of whack?? Much more than a trip to Europe. Losing Penner and McDonald might also had a tad of an effect. They really were the vicitms of the "cap" and The "cup" You win the cup, everyone wants a raise and you lose valualble pieces. Gee, that sounds familiar to a situation in Tampa about 3 years ago or so. Just me but I would of never let those guys play games with the team. Really tough call, but had to effect every single player on the team. Also had to make everyone think they could just hang in their until the stars come back and then turn it on, usually very tough thing to do.
For me it really goes to show you how important balance is to a hockey team. Anaheim made it 110% clear that their D stars were their main concern and kept all of them and then opps, lost a couple 25 goals scorers and really had problems putting the puck into the net.
Leads me to little ole Tampa. Made serious efforts to get back to a team versus star system and I think will be a nice improvement. For the future I am 110% sure it is the right path.

[Casper]

I am very confident I could sit and watch a game with Ajax and not get p!ssed off.

Go Bolts!

[Hockey Chic]

Tacks,

Great to hear you will be back in time for the start of training camp. Hope to see you at the SPTF during training camp. Make sure you wear something that tells us who you are..

See you there and safe travels buddy.

Go Bolts!!!