Frankly, there is only one reason to watch or bet on the sorry Tampa Bay Lightning, and that reason is Vinny Lecavalier. But the franchise is going nowhere fast, and the new ownership, having already goofed on the Barry Melrose situation, is reportedly in some financial trouble already (although who isn’t?).
Thus despite Lecavalier being one of the NHL’s best players, Vinny has been rumored to be headed to either Montreal or Edmonton – the only player in Canada who is probably more popular than the Montreal native Lecavalier is Sidney Crosby. Lecavalier replaced Crosby in the Eastern Conference’s starting lineup in the All-Star Game and the Montreal fans cheered him loudly every time he touched the puck.
“I was very surprised, I didn’t know what to expect,” Lecavalier said of the reception he got from the hometown fans. “To get cheered on like that on the ice — last time I was here I got booed, this time I got cheered, so I really appreciate it. It’s really special everything [the fans] have done.”
According to a report out of Canada, a deal that would send Lecavalier (21 goals, 23 assists) to Edmonton for three players, two prospects and three draft picks - including two first-rounders - was to be completed on Monday. But the Lightning GM quashed that.
“It’s just a pipe dream that people think we’re going to trade him,” Brian Lawton said. “We’re excited about the way our team is playing and I don’t think it’s fair to continue to talk about these things. I’ve said he’s not going to be traded, and he hasn’t been traded. Somebody just asked me if he’s going to be traded on Monday. No, he won’t.
“Not Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or any other day for that matter. … He loves Tampa Bay, and that’s why he made the commitment he did (by signing an 11-year, $85-million contract extension).”
Lecavalier, 28, said during All-Star Weekend that he was assured by Tampa Bay management the team was not planning on trading him. He also stated that should a deal materialize, the Lightning would discuss the possibility with him first. Frankly, the franchise would be in serious trouble in the Tampa Bay area if it dealt the team’s most popular player. It’s believed that the Bolts will keep Lecavalier and try to move fellow All-Star Martin St. Louis, but he has a no-trade clause and would have to accept any move the Lightning make. And he’s overpaid.
The Bolts actually entered the All-Star break playing better, winning two straight and five of seven to climb into 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 42 points (16-21-10).
Tampa Bay is back in action Tuesday against those Canadiens – bet on the game at WagerWeb.com.
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