Vinny, agent dismiss trade rumors

Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier dismissed a radio report out of Montreal that the Lightning might try to trade him if the team has financial difficulties. "It's Montreal. It's Toronto" he said. "I don't think it's anything new. It's happened in the past."

Lecavalier, 28, last summer signed an 11-year, $85-million contract extension that kicks in next season. The deal's no-move clause goes into effect on July 1. But Lecavalier said he was given assurances by owner Oren Koules during negotiations of that extension that he would not be traded.

"Oren did tell me I wouldn't be getting traded when I signed this summer," Lecavalier said after Friday's 4-3 victory over the Ducks in which he had two assists. "It's Montreal. There are a lot of rumors going around."

Lecavalier's agent Kent Hughes took it a step further, saying Koules told him and Lecavalier that Lecavalier would be a Lightning player "for life."

"I don't know where these rumors are starting," Hughes said. "We were assured they would not trade him if we agreed to extend his contract. We haven't heard anything else from them."

Hughes said he spoke to Lecavalier before Friday's game.

"He told me he believes it's just another can of rumors," Hughes said.   

Comments

[Steve]

Not sure why, but I have a different feeling this time around, like this trade may really happen. Vinny clearly hasn't been himself this year, and maybe it's just his shoulder, but a consistent effort has been lacking. In the end if he's not really happy anymore, and I'm guessing he was expecting for things to be a lot better when he re-signed over the summer, then we'll trade him. Montreal would move heaven and earth to get him, and it would help our rebuilding process. It sounds like they are offering something like Higgins, Plekanec, Subban and multiple 1st round picks according to TSN. If Vinny is still happy here, than it simply won't happen (please, no Dan Boyle jokes).

[Jim M.]

And my condolences, Coach Bill.

[Jim M.]

Bingo kind of stole my thunder, but he makes a good point as to the rumors of Vinny becoming a Hab. There's someone in Montreal who, around the middle of each and every season in which Monsieur Lecavalier has not donned a Canadiens jersey, gets a couple in him and tells someone in the Quebec media that Vinny's on his way there. EVERY year.

I'm surprised this story has any legs whatsoever. I'm surprised anyone in Montreal even bothers to report it. It's almost as if they think that if they wish hard enough, Vinny will simply materialize at the Molson Centre, score 150 goals and lead them to so many Stanley Cups that they'll have to rename the trophy for the Canadiens.

As for me, sure, my heart skipped a beat or two but then I remembered everything that I mentioned above. Until this "trade" actually goes down, I'm not terribly worried about it. Vinny's a Bolt now and hopefully will be everyday until such time as he hangs up his jersey and immediately ascends into the Hall of Fame.

[Mike13]

My condolences as well Coach Bill. May your father-in-law rest in peace.

[Joe Bolts]

Vinny, don't trust those guy's! Remember a guy named Boyle? Just ask him.

[bingo]

OK, so Vinny is on his way to Montreal for the 10th year in a row. And the conversation starts just before his arrival in Montreal for a Hockey event. I'm truly impressed with that perfect knowledge from the know it all's up north of the border. Therefore, I will start another rumor...... Tampa is going BK and moving to LasVegas to play hockey in the uranium pit that the Republicans were hoping to fill with Al Franken until somehow the humor boy beat another fiscally responsible Republican in his own state. That was when visiting teams come to play in the new uranium dome they will leave with not only another 'w' from the PD castoff's but also with a Glow of the US $$$ imprinted on their souls.
Ole -

[Boltflasher]

SPT confirmed Barrie selling his Bear Mtn for $500 mill:

"It's a positive story," said owner Len Barrie, who confirmed he is close to selling his Bear Mountain Resort in British Columbia, for about $500-million. "We're not dumb guys. We didn't put in $100-million cash to lose it in three months. We have a good business here. We think we can turn it into a great business in the next three years."

[ignatz]

Godspeed, coach bill.

[Sarasota Bill]

Coach Bill. Sorry I'm a little late but I extend my best to you and your family. Have a safe trip. Hope to hear from you soon!!

[Oscar]

Condolences to Coach Bill with wishes for a safe trip and expedicious return.

Anyone else sickened that the stinking Devils picked up Shanny whilst we figure a graceful way to wave g'by to Roberts?

On topic, Vinny stays. Period. Get used to it because he's the guy we all wanted, and for good reason.

I still and evermore want his thousand plus goals scored in our sweater, and I want to be there when they hoist that sweater to the rafters.

We can hope to find competent and cagey front office weasels to support him through finding another big time leader (sort of like Captain Dave, to alleviate the media and fan pressure.), developing a credible minor league system (I still thank the hockey Gods that Cap Raeder landed here.), and giving Tocchet a chance to find the right buttons to push at the right times, on Vinny.

Great effort last night, thanx gang.

Go Bolts!

[Boltflasher]

Well, that article also says Barrie just spent 25 mill on a golf course in October so he doesn't appear to be short on cash....

[leo]

Nos voeux et nos condoléances t'accompagnent, Coach.
P.

[PD]

400

[PD]

Even further to that Flasher, to borrow his portion,( just to get the downpayment with Koules), Barrie likely would have leveraged his ownership portion of Bear Mountain to the max. Those dollars are already pledged

he could be upside down on anything less than 4 million

[PD]

Flasher, well done.

Actually that whole project shut down construction last Oct amid the global crash. They expected a hiatus of at least 2 years.
Barrie was being sued by the town.

If he didn't get his price in Oct and its shut down then you are so right, whats left after the investors who lost their shirts cash out.

It wouldn't be a pretty offer and I doubt Lenny would want to reinvest his portion into the financial sink hole that's the Bolts.

But who knows?

Will be fun to watch it play out.

[Boltflasher]

Even so, it'll be a nice chunk of change for Len and his family...

[Boltflasher]

Also, if Bear Mtn has indeed been sold, apparently, how much of the $500mill would go to investors who sunk $230mill into the project?
http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080325.rmbarrie0325/BNStory/specialROBmagazine/home

[Boltflasher]

Note: there have previous false reports of Bear Mountain being sold to a Middle Easterner so like PD says, let's wait and see if this comes out in Tampa or other papers. Unlike PD, I don't search only that info that is what I want to hear, just what is correct...
http://bullsheet.wordpress.com/2008/10/16/bear-mountain-hasnt-been-sold-barrie/

[PD]

That's it Flasher?, its just a link to a 3rd party sources report on Sports net.
Unsubstantiated Rumor like everything else.

Look forward to the real goods.

[Boltflasher]

http://content.usatoday.com/topics/article/People/Sports+Coaches,+Team+Owners,+Execs,+Officials/NHL/Gary+Bettman/06Zr0irev9dcP/1

[PD]

TWG, fair dinkum but what the corollary?

Where's the evidence that its not true and why is the story exploding?

[PD]

I must have been delivered the wrong copy of USA Today Flash/nada

[Tampa Wine Guy]

"The wildcard reamains OK being broke and working a deal with Palace to rent the team for the next three years shouldn't pump anyone up."

My take, PD's premise completely flawed (there is NO evidence as to his conjecture being true!). I look forward to many more years of TAMPA BAY Lightning hockey! Oh, and please pass the Kouleaid!.......TWG

[Boltflasher]

I meant the Palace Sports 3 year agreement...don't know if Barrie had anything to do with that, but probably.

[Boltflasher]

Yep, anything could happen. That's a prediction few will argue with.

The Barrie 3 year agreement as well as Barrie's sell of his ranch were also reported on USA Today

[PD]

Chic I totally agree with you on Vinny.
Can't see anyone touching that contract.

The wildcard reamains OK being broke and working a deal with Palace to rent the team for the next three years shouldn't pump anyone up.

anything could happen

[Hockey Chic]

Coach sorry to hear about the dad in law as always our prayers are with you.

Please be safe my friend and condolences to the family.

On the v 4 rumors they are just that. PD and Leo you guys will never get our vinny. lol

Anyone catch the game last night. Dude MSL was on fire. That move he put on Pronger was priceless. I watched it over and over. Way to go baby...

Now lets get some back to back wins. I think toch has the team and msl has the room..

Go Bolts!!! Get er done boys.

[Boltflasher]

Travel safe Coach. My condolences as well...
Take care

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Oh, and to the topic....

TSN reports a new deal to soon be announced between OK and Palace. Maybe this will finally put to rest the financial questions. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=262608

I for one do not think trading V4 is any answer to the Lightning woes. More solid defense is the answer to those woes. Last night we saw a will to win out of MSL that I haven't seen all year, and there seemed to be much more out of v4, Malone, and Prospal.

Just watched again Mezzy's "save" last night when Ramo misplayed a puck carom. He is the key to our defense becoming solid......TWG

Couple days off, then Kings and Sharks.

Let's go Bolts!

[PD]

Condolences Coach, eternal passages.

[Coach Bill]

Hv-I'm not a pessimist. I really do think we're done, sooo I'm trying to:
A) figure a way out of this
B) save MY favorite player's
legacy (V4)
C) bring NHL back to Tampa(unlike
what we're paying for lately)
If I WERE a pessimist, I'd always be spurting negatives like we often read. As I hope you know, that ain't me. See ya Thurs. I'm off to freezing Rhode Island.

[Tampa Wine Guy]

Coach Bill-

Sorry to hear. Our thoughts and prayers are with you......TWG

[hyjyljyj]

"I'm not a negative pessimist at all, but I really think we'e sunk ( and not just for this year. If we could address our needs, this could be a way out."

So, we're sunk...now and into the future...and dumping the team's captain, franchise player and fan favorite is the way out.

*whew!* For a minute I was wondering what your viewpoint would be if you WERE a pessimist there, coachy ol' buddy ol' pal >:^D)

[Coach Bill]

It would be interesting to hear from OK. They seem strangly quiet,but this just broke yesterday. If we don't hear anything by tomorrow,I would be suspect.
I'm not a negative pessimist at all, but I really think we'e sunk ( and not just for this year. If we could address our needs, this could be a way out.

Leaving in 2 hours for the frigid North( Flasher- dad in law finally gave up the fight and is in a better place. Thanks for the prayers). I'll miss you guys for a few days unless I can get to a computer. They don't have many up there. It's 32 and snowing in Rhode Island. This is going to really suck. I'll see you all on Thurs. night.