Teams
Forum List
Toggle sidebar

Lightning Buyout Lecavalier's Contract

CostaDelMar

CostaDelMar

Member
Jun 21, 2013
155
5
18
Atlanta, GA
Saw it on ESPN earlier today. As a kid who latched onto the Lightning in the 90's (The Dark Ages), it's sad to see one of my "heroes" go. He was a hell of a Bolt, and a real caring ambassador for the Tampa-St. Pete community. I undertsand the business end, and it should pay dividends for the team later on, but damn this sucks. I wonder where he wil end up now.
 
This is the true fallout of the strike last fall. With the salary cap dropping 6 or 7 million, and the compliance buyouts in play, anybody with a medium to large contract is a potential casualty. While I am not a Lightning fan, it sucks when the face of a franchise (apologies to Stamkos) is forced out.
 
You nailed it, Loki8838. The new CBA is definitely making changes that otherwise wouldn't have been made in the past. Yzerman was smart enough to know that $7.7 mill of free space over the next few years can go a long way -- especially for a "small market" team like TB. Malone could be next one to go...

Hopefully, they put the money in the right place. The Bolts need to fill some space at center behind Stamkos now, and they must get some help for the defense which was basically a sieve last season.
 
Here's hoping my Leafs put in a call. They haven't had a true #1 center since Sundin and desperately need one with wingers like Kessel, Lupul, and JVR.
 
Stumpy said:
Here's hoping my Leafs put in a call. They haven't had a true #1 center since Sundin and desperately need one with wingers like Kessel, Lupul, and JVR.
Click to expand...

At least Vinny would be wearing the same colors :rolleyes:

I've heard some grumblings about Phaneuf possibly heading elsewhere. How would you feel about that?
 
CostaDelMar said:
You nailed it, Loki8838. The new CBA is definitely making changes that otherwise wouldn't have been made in the past. Yzerman was smart enough to know that $7.7 mill of free space over the next few years can go a long way -- especially for a "small market" team like TB. Malone could be next one to go...

Hopefully, they put the money in the right place. The Bolts need to fill some space at center behind Stamkos now, and they must get some help for the defense which was basically a sieve last season.
Click to expand...

Especially on a team that needs to be retooled, if not rebuilt. As much as the St. Louis/Lecavalier combo has been a great one for almost a decade, they are aging superstars, both of whom are approaching the downsides of their respective careers, if they aren't there already. They finished next to last in a shortened year playing in the weakest division in the NHL - mostly because they sucked at the end of the year. They spent most of the early part of the year sitting in the 3-seed or just outside the 8-seed.

As much as it stinks for Lightning fans to say goodbye to someone that means as much to their organization for as long as he has, last year was a clear sign that core's run is coming to an end.
 
CostaDelMar said:
At least Vinny would be wearing the same colors :rolleyes:

I've heard some grumblings about Phaneuf possibly heading elsewhere. How would you feel about that?
Click to expand...

I think - like most Toronto stars - he gets a bad rap because there is so much pressure placed on him, especially as captain. Yes, he makes the occasional defensive gaffe, but overall he is clearly a top-pairing defenseman with the ability to log huge minutes, score goals, and lay big hits. If they can trade him for a great center, then I'd be happy, but ultimately I think they would spend even more on the free agent market to replace him.
 
He'd really look sharp in a Jets uni! I've become a hockey fan in the last 3-4 years and needed a team to pull for an when the Jets came back I latched on and am a big fan now haha. They are in desperate need of a top-6 forward and Lecavalier fits the bill perfectly. Top notch center to play with Evander Kane, as well as veteran who has won a lot of hockey games and has some serious toughness and grit! Hope they make a run at him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Help Support Us

Become a patron
Top Bottom