Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier says he is "very disappointed" about Vinny Prospal buyout

Over the years, Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier and linemate Vinny Prospal have become great friends. So it was not unexpected that Lecavalier would react strongly to the news Prospal will be bought out of the last three seasons of his four-year deal.

"Obviously, I'm very disappointed," Lecavalier said from his Montreal home. "I feel for him. I know he really loves Tampa, so I was disappointed. I always said I like to play with Vinny Prospal, and every time he had a bad year, he came back and had a great one."

That is true. Prospal had five goals in 2000-01 for the Panthers and Senators and came back with 18 and 55 points the next season with Tampa Bay. He had 19 goals in 82 games with the Ducks in 2003-04, and bounced back with 25 goals and 80 points in 2005-06 with the Lightning.

So, after a 19-goal season in 2008-09, during which he was minus-20, tied for fourth-worst in the league, history would say Prospal is set to rebound. But he is 34 and the $10.5 million left on his contract apparently was too much for the Lightning to justify.

"A lot of it is the business," Lecavalier said. "But I like to play with Vinny Prospal. He's a great guy and works harder than anybody else on the ice. he has a passion for the game. He's a great friend , and it's always tough to see one of your friends leave. He made me a better player."

Lecavalier also hopes to have a bounce-back year next season. He said his surgically repaired right wrist feels good, and he already is skating, several weeks earlier than usual.

"You like to be off after a season but after a few months it's like, 'Are we starting yet?' I want to get going again."

As for the team, which has made major upgrades on defense and hopes to add one more top-six forward, Lecavalier said, "I'm excited about training camp and meeting the new guys. I'm very confident with the players we have we're going to be much better."

Comments

[Bob]

Another amazing calculated decision by the Azz Klowns.

[Randy C]

TEfan,

I'm sorry you lost your favorite player, but you really should reevaluate your assessment of the Bolts. We've had a solid draft, a way more than anyone expected free agency giving us a NHL defence, and we now have a very solid coaching staff. If you bought a house, would you leave it the way it was or would you make improvements and make it your home. No matter what you did the people you bought the house from would like it their way better. OK hockey evaluated what they had from top to bottom and they are now making their team their own and a whole lot better. Give this time, you'll have new favorites and new things to like about the team.

[TEfan]

Vinnie20 is my favorite player... sure will miss him... if he's gone--seems like most of the team should be .. after all it took all of them to end up in the cellar (or almost cellar) TWO YEARS in a row.. it just another nail in the coffin.. the new owners have done nothing but alienate me, players coming and going, stupid goalie masks, the Lightning office in turmoil... I don't think getting rid of Vinnie20 will help - maybe new owner will

[Marv]

While I like V20, playing is not a popularity contest! Either produce or be replaced. Any of you in business should have that figured out.

V4 had a bad year and is now alleged to be healthy. Hopefully, he will quit his whining and start playing or he may be next. If he is going to keep the "C", he should start showing people he has earned it.

Like I said last year about this time, lets sit tight and see how all this plays out. Some very good things have happened so far. Maybe we should look at the glass half full instead of whining at all the things that might, repeat might, go wrong.

[PD]

Don in answer to your rhetorical q. on deals being precut?

I'd doubt it,.certainly not Burke's style, but it could be an effective strategy in the right circumstance. Interesting to see your findings.

[Randy C]

Talkie,

Great to see you back posting.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, I know what it's called and in most cases the teams had no intentions of letting the deal go to Arbitration. I'm wondering if deals may have been precut with some players as long as they chose arbitration. Some #'s and offers around the league don't seem to be adding up. I;ll do some more research on buyout eligible teams and come up with more predictions.

[PD]

Called collusion Don, but the owners will never own up to it. They are going to let the raw kids play as often as possible for the minimum.

Other than the top 10% everyone gets a big haircut
Especially challenged market teams.

[PD]

Nick don't know know much about any of them. I thought Koule's son would get the job.
Hang me.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, I won't crucify you for past statements, as I think from you're recent post's you at least believe the Bolts moved in the right direction this off season, built from the net out. Interesting evolution that's taken place in the NHL market since the CBA. It's basically back to the pre-lockout strategy with more loopholes than a Wall Street Securities Bundle. I wopuldn't be surprised to see Phoenix by out Jovo if they can't trade him by the 6th. They had 2 Arb filings so they could actually by out Bryz as well. Definitely some funky goings on that is entirely Management driven, not from the NHLPA. Any other thoughts on this?

[goldenbolt]

Wilson it is ------ hooooraaayy we have a coach.. Psst PD bye bye you are once again WRONG as DAY.

[Casper]

Some of you are really sick, especially you Patrick. I predict you will preside over the burial all the time denying it. PD and VOTT are correct: the franchise is a mess.... and remember, I'm a tough guy.

[NickD2D]

PD, what if they announce Wilson? Then you are going to jump right back on here and say "wow, I was wrong, good hire by the Lightning" right? Oh, wait the world hasn't ended yet, so that's not going to happen.

[PD]

Honestly no idea Goldenbolt, but I'll go with Darren from Norfolk as the D coach..second choice , Koules 16 year old son.

[PD]

Don, its funny business going on for sure.
The worst thing that ever happened to the owners was arbitration because it gave the grunts a union like negotiating platform. I think they are now turning it against the players too, agree.
The owners don't mind paying the Prongers, they rightly have an issue paying a 3rd line guy 2 mill.

Of course there is no one to save the owners from themself unfortunately.

[Patrick]

hockeytalkie,

Great to see you back... and not just cause you agree Prospal wasn't earning his pay rate.

[Patrick]

Turtle,

It's simple - You said Tocchet wouldn't have any excuse and you also said he has a bad GM and just lost a player who was a significant asset. You just made two excuses for him.

Thanks for the belittling heart and soul fan who can't be objective comment. Sounds like you don't read my posts either.

[oldtimer]

I would like to say that I agree with V4. I refuse to judge V20 on his reputation from past seasons. What I saw with my own eyes last year in V20 was a player who played with heart and passion all season. He reguarly took the body with some thundering checks, he went to the front of the net, he skated hard every shift but did not put up the numbers he was expected to (along with V4 and many others.) Maybe it was the right move to let him go, maybe not. I'll reserve judgement until I see who we sign. However, I will not bash V20's game as I believe he was an asset on the ice and worked very hard every game. This is a point I often made on my posts throughout last season. V20 VERY UNDERRATED!

[PD]

Can't wait Ajax.

[ajax]

We read all of last winter where payroll would be dumped...the keys handed over....it never happened....mean while the payroll is comfortably at 10-12 million more than when Palace had it.....doesn't some people get tired of making the same fricking statements that never are proven true??? Common sense would tell you that if they were Phoenix or NYI or Florida they would have payroll down to 42 million and they would year after year lost their best players and they would never make any free agent splashes??? See that is common sense and as I stated very clearly....for owner's who have been broke from day one....nothing they do makes any sensible humanbeing draw that dire conclusion.....the rationale the miserble LEaf fans really use as truth is "hope of failure" that is the premise for many of sorry arguments by one PencilD individual...and I was being nice...

[goldenbolt]

'D' Coach to be named tonight, and the question is who is behind door #1?

Wilson, Bowman, or Darren from Norfolk. I know pd's choice!

Go Bolts

[hockeytalkie]

hope everyone's summer is going well.
finally something to comment on.

"He's a great guy and works harder than anybody else on the ice."

PLEASE(!), the zamboni driver works harder on the ice. seems to me that there's a little 5 foot nothing guy that wears number 26 on this very roster, that is respected league-wide for his hard work. lecavalier really should look to his right and left (wings ...that is) before before using such overblown hyperbole on such a petr klima-esque underachiever.

the only reason V20 wasn't gone at the trade deadline again was b/c his contract was too big based on what he was showing and the team that took him would be stuck with him for 3 more years. even if he had brought his numbers up this year, he was getting overpaid.

[Don in St. Pete]

VOTT, While I won't disagree that the turnover has affected the team at times, there were some players that needed to go, and there may be more to go too. I suggest you compare the Leaf and Canadien rosters from a year ago and today. As far as your other open ended predictions, the transactions that could still happen could significantly effect what transpires in regard to those. If we play good and the fans flock to the arena for example.

[The Voice of the Turtle]

Patrick:

The statement I made is that Prospal will "become a significant asset for SOME OTHER NHL team." That taken together with my stated disappointment with Lawton's prosecution of his responsibilities has nothing to do with Rick Tochett's performance as a coach and/or any excuses that might be rendered on his behalf in future should the Lightning play below their capabilities. Lawton, I expect, will not be making decisions behind the bench and will have no influence on coaching techniques, strategies, and approaches to motivate players. Patrick you are smart enough to fully comprehend that there is no contradiction in these assertions.

With regard to the "revolving door," I shall ask you to compare the turnover rates between the Lightning and the other NHL franchises then compare the success (or lack thereof) associated with the teams making the most changes vs the Lightning's fortunes. If you can then accurately say that the Lightning are not deserving of the "revolving door" reputation, either I am off base or your remarks were significantly ill-considered.

Patrick, if you wish to be a heart-and-soul Lightning fan, go ahead and be one. But if you want to argue with me, may I suggest that you read what I have ACTUALLY written, try check your facts, and be objective.

[PD]

No, you don't get it Ajax..nice that you admit it finally.
Do some basic arithmatic..as you said ticket prices way down, sold seats way down..pay roll up? Not in Oct.

The real thing to watch is Lenny .

[ajax]

A week ago the Lightning were making all the right moves...then they let VProsp go and...off with their heads time...I don't get it....I have no idea of the financing of the Cowboys....either does anyone else though.....I do know this....since day one..these "broke owners" have continued to surprize surprize surprize with an open checkbook....yet everyone knows they are hanging on a thread.....they have spent a ton more than previous owners.....they have dropped ticket prices.....lots of this is the constant shuffling of the cards.....I think alot of this is common sense....maybe one owner is doing alot better than thought and simply the other (real estate) isn't...They have done everything directly opposite for owners who are counting their last pennies.....with all of the big bucks they have thrown out...why is everyone so sure they are broke!!!!! This defies logic at times....time will tell....and without a doubt I believe 110%, that by getting way better Dmen to start the season this fact alone will make the forwards....even the marginal forwards much better.....I base that opinion on about 40 years of hockey....two years ago I knew with the Dmen we started the season with that we had absolutely Zero chance of making the playoffs......Lord knows I could be wrong...but our D will be light years better and every single phase of our hockey club will benefit from this.....So now if they sign Tanguay then everything is instantly better cause of one signing....please....most lines need a skater, a grinder and a scorer...I am not so sure Tanguay is the fit for Vl4.....Prospal although nothing really jumps out at ya...was the grinder and puck possession guy that was perfect for VL4 and Marty...Prospal scored 33 goals just two years ago....he isn't the total stiff that many of you see him as.....It takes a helluva player to score 33 goals in the NHL...Tanguay is $$$$ out of our reach...Heatley??..why is anyone even bringing his name up...are we going to trade him heads up for Vinny???....for his name to even appear here is ludicrous...stop the nonsense...it is pure folly to even type "Heatley" and "Bolts" in the same subject...He makes 8 million the next three years...In one sentence you all type the owners are broke and then the next says "get heatley"...to much glue??..I do not know how healthy Afinogenov is but....talk about creating space for Vinny....I would absolutely love for that guy to be on our team...if healthy.....and he would sign cheap...get him for two years minimum Lawton...keep the faith...one move and the owners and Lawton are back to being idiots...I don't get it...

[Patrick]

As Flasher so succinctly put it with his first post, there is a lot of overreaction going on here.

Turtle, your "notions" are contradictory. You say Lawton is a bad GM and that losing prospal is losing a significant asset, but Tocchet will have no excuses?

And the revolving door? What's your motto for success - keep failing the same way? Also, you haven't been paying attention if you really think the majority haven't been impressed with Lawton during this offseason. The draft, the FA signings improving the defense + Velleiux and the Smaby contract have all been well received. The signing of Nitty for less than 600 k isn't bad either.

Prospal's motivations are suspect - He left us for a little bit more money once and he selfishly blasted the coach when he was briefly demoted to the second line. And you should never have a down year skating next to a talent like Lecavalier or you shouldn't be skating with him.

For everyone freaking out about the Prospal departure, it's too early. If we get either Tanguay or Sykora, we are a more talented team than we were with Prospal - that would be a net gain even if we still need another top six forward. Now if we don't sign anyone of comparable or better skill than Prospal, by all means, freak out then.

[cnw]

Great post VOTT! I was really hopeful before this transaction took place. Now I'm back to hoping the Bolts don't come in below 28th this year. Lawton better be busy making this right!

[PD]

Well put ntmm..

[Not the Marlboro Man]

PD...I was just trying to draw a relation to finacial irresponsibility not to complete stupidity.

[The Voice of the Turtle]

Excuse me Don in St Pete, but I fail to understand how your point about there being "plenty of transactions that are likely to occur" has anything at all to do with the comments that I made. How does that counter my statements? In fact, if you take the trouble to reread my post, you will see that I referenced the probable inclusion of new players being brought in and alluded to some of the generic difficulties associated with the changeover.

[PD]

NTMM..unlike Bush and Cheney I guess.

[Don in St. Pete]

VOTT, Despite some wisdom in what you say, there is still a month and a half until training camp. A lot of teams are in finacial dire straits and have tough decisions to make in the coming weeks. Players on other teams are likely to be bought out as well. Other teams will be forced to trade integral parts of their teams to fit under the cap, sign RFA's or provide maneuverability for injury callups and trade deadlinwe acquisitions. While NHL news is slow, there are still plenty of transaction that are likely to occur.

[leftwinger]

v20 is not a loss. overpaid-minimal effort most nights and a sour presence in the locker room. For the $2.4 million difference-we will get a solid player. Need to get cap down to 43-45 mil. Maybe V4 will make some effort now that his boy that he wanted so desperately-did not work out. most of the whiners are or will be gone soon.

[The Voice of the Turtle]

Arguably Vincent Lecavalier is quite correct when he indicates that no player outworked Vaclav Prospal. Fairness demands that to even suggest that Prospal was responsible for the Lightning problems in the last two years bears no merit; however, one could argue about the appropriateness of his compensation.

As another top six forward departs, one gets the sense that the Lightning offense, as it stands, is sorrowfully depleted. The remarkable potency of the Lecavalier-St. Louis-Prospal line that once dominated on the ice is nothing more now than an historical moment in Tampa Bay lore.

Yes, some new guys will be brought in and the season's beginning will be hampered by a learning curve for the lines as players and coaches search for chemistry (or, at least, players becoming reasonably familiar with each others' games).

One might be easily left with the following notions:

1) Brian Lawton's alchemy as General Manager has failed to impress many people.

2) Prospal will go on to become a significant asset for some other NHL team.

3) There is likely to be a shakeup of the structure and nature of the Lightning's inexperienced ownership.

4) Inexperienced Coach, Rick Tocchet, will be bereft of excuses if the Lightning continue to grossly underachieve.

5) In all likelihood, inexperienced General Manager, Brian Lawton, will prefer to remembered for his meager achievements as a player than for his record in his present job.

6) The Lightning would be better served by a more appropriate logo. They should dump the bolt and replace it with a picture of a revolving door.

7) NHL franchises ought to be awarded exclusively to those owners who can afford it and have a high propensity of operating a franchise with responsibility and maturity.

8) Neither a failed economy nor disappointing team performances will deter the faithful Lightning fans from supporting this team, but one can only hope that there are enough of them to keep the Bolts from somehow winding up in Hamilton, Ontario.

9) The notes of skepticism read in and between the lines in posts on these pages appear to be warranted.

10) There is still the faint smell of smoke remaining in the embers of the the former fire of Lecavalier trade rumors.

[Mike13]

Those are some pretty interesting numbers Boltflasher. I didn't realize that Alex's +/- numbers were so impressive.

[Don in St. Pete]

Boltflasher, A little of the +/- discrepancy between Prospal abd Tanguay last year had to do with overall team performance, but the overall numbers don't lie. We've been to the playoffs 4 times with Prospal and won only 1 series I believe. The year we let him walk we won the cup as he was replaced by Stillman. Tanguay amongst others brings a lot more, but keep in nind if we can't fill both holes it may still be a wash. You've got to believe that an even better option is out there via trade that may even move some additional excess assets off the books. I am confident Lawton is working the trade wire first, with the option of upping a UFA offer if that tact fails.

[Joe]

In my opinion this was a necessary move. He was given a big contract for to many years. Good luck to v20 because we all like him.

Fact is he has never lived up to his contract and the team needs to move on to younger new faces.

[ZERO]

I agree with you Bolt, not sure why everyone is so upset/shocked about this. The contract just doesn't match the product.

[Boltflasher]

Some of you are upset because we cut a guy who is a lifetime -61 and may replace him with a guy (Tanguay) 5 years younger and who is a lifetime +157 in plus/minus?
....and put up Prospal's 82 game numbers last year despite missing 32 games (and +13 as well)?

[Boltflasher]

Oh the humanity, the sky is falling again...

[skp]

i'm thinking that at least some part of vinny is happy to be replacing a -20 winger on his line with a guy who is NOT a -20 winger.....however, if the bolts fail to fill that hole (and i think there's a bird in hand someplace or they wouldn't make this move), it's the type of move that can sink a season before it ends - at this point either stamkos or VL4 is stuck in a brad richards situation on what will be the clear #2 line, or both lines will be pulling the weight of an in-over-his-head guy who should be playing in the AHL or the bottom 6.

kessel or some of the other trade names being bandied would be huge, but do we really have the assets for that?

[imposs1]

Not really sure what these guys are thinking, or if they are thinking! I agree with V4. Seems his greatest allies have been taken away from him.
I am sure this has effected his affectiveness. This group brought a decent team and decimated it.I have a hockey fan for over 50 and never seen anything so bizzare,even with
the Capitals before the Langway+ trade. I still think these guys bought the team with the idea of eventually moving them to Vegas or Seattle. Maybe I'm as out of it as they are.

[Don in St. Pete]

Olin, The CBJ are rumoured to be shopping Huselius, but his contract is a little bloated too. They would prefer to move Modin, and we could probably get Freddy for a 2nd round pick or Matt Lashoff.

[olin]

...no doubt Heatly would be far too much $$$'s, once we had a chance to pick up Kristen Huselius, when he was let go by the panters and didn't,Keenan grabbed him for flamers(the guy can score goal's-as he did 4 against us one nite) how about a trade with CBJ bringing Mo and Husse, now there's 2 guy's to play on first line with V4, even though not Canadian, more Swedes....yeeeaaa.

[Randy C]

Goldenbolt,

Wait and see time again. Many choose to jump the gun here, thought this lesson would be learned by now.

[goldenbolt]

NTMM - what do you think it takes to sign kessel? He is not an UFA he is restricted. Which by it's definition means his leverage price wise is limited. Did he file for arbitration? No Does Boston need to lower the cap? Yes, do they need some 'd' pieces which we have a lot of? Yes. Tanguay is not the only option. Most including myself have been surprised in how they have handled the draft, FA and making management decisions, compared to last year. They have learned and undid two bad MelPuke wanna players Vbrata and Prospal. I luv judging before all the facts are in. I'll wait a few more weeks before making final judgement.

Go Bolts

[olin]

...agree Don, sure hope he has something good coming. V20's 19 goals and 45 points are not too shabby, the -20 not so good, but not alot of D on that line since they are respopnsible for putting it in the net...sad to see V4 was unhappy, we knew he would be...remind's of me asking MSL once at a town mneeting about losing Freddy Mo, and as Marty said, it is also a business. Sooo, I too am sad to lose V20, such a great guy, I wish him the best, and hope whomever Lawton find's to play with V4, it will work out for the best. Like I always maintain sign the canadians for the offense....finn's and swedes for the D and net. Personally I would rather see Heatly or Shane Doan here not Kessel or Afinogenov.
GO BOLT'S

[Don in St. Pete]

NtMM and Casper, While this is a very risky move by Lawton, it could pay huge dividends over the next 3 years. Keep in mind that we actually have some top 6 forward prospects in the pipeline for the first time in many years. I would expect Dana Tyrell to be in the plans for next season, and Carter Ashton and possibly Alex Killorn the following year. I think it would have been less risky to let Prospal have his "up" year and trade him at the deadline. The only reason I can see for management to do this is if they think we can make the playoffs and want to give us a shot at a deep run. However, in the interview Lawton didn't sound like he had anactual plan, although he may have been bluffing. I think the UFA's available are a stop gap and not likely worth more than a 1 year deal, but there are some other players that could be available through trade that bring a much higher upside. Let's hope Lawton has something up his sleeve.

[Casper]

Politics aside, I agree with NTMM. The "committee" is still calling the shots and they are all missing the net. But I will remain pompous and stubborn to the end....and don't forget, I'm a tough guy.