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Does Lecavalier Make Some Sense?

May 26, 2012, 10:59 AM ET [242 Comments]
Ian Esplen
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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Rumours have been circulating that the Lightning would consider trading for Roberto Luongo if the Canucks would take back Vincent Lecavalier. Now, while a trade such as this would cause some havoc with Vancouver’s cap in the future, it does make some sense and is a move that Vancouver should seriously consider.

In the LA series, you have to believe that Vancouver would have faired better with Lecavalier in and Lu out. Lecavalier would have given the Canucks that big, gritty, power forward, who has proven he can get it done in the playoffs. He was Tampa’s best player during their run a year ago, so you have to believe that Lecavalier still has the gas in the tank to get it done.

When you look at holes Vancouver has in their lineup, Vinny would look awfully good either next to Kesler, or centering the third line. If you were to take their contracts out of the equation, Lecavalier for Luongo just make sense for both teams. Both teams fill needs, and both teams improve. That is what you want when you make a deal.

Now of course you can’t just make a hockey trade anymore because of the cap, so we do have to discuss the 100,000-pound elephant in the room, Lecavalier’s contract. Lecavalier’s contract runs through 2020, with a cap hit of roughly 7.7 million. But if Canucks fans want to think of Luongo’s deal as having only six years left with a 7 million dollar buyout over the final four years, then you have to view Lecavalier’s contract as being five years left with a 6.5 million dollar buyout over the final three years.

So the buyout of Luongo’s deal would be roughly a 580,000 cap hit over eight years, after the 2018 season. On the other hand, Lecavalier’s buyout would be roughly a 725,000 cap hit over six years, after the 2017 season. In my opinion, neither deal is going to cripple either team going forward. These aren’t crazy long deals. They are five and six year contracts and if either were to retire, then you don’t even need to worry about the buyout.

But could Vancouver fit Lecavalier in? In the short term, I think they could. Move out Lu’s 5.3 off the books and bring in Vinnie and your looking at an increase of around 2.4 million. With the cap going up anywhere from 3-5 million and Vancouver having around 9 million, which is doable for next season, while filling the other holes in Vancouver. Where thing would get interesting would be after the 2013 season.

After next season, Vancouver has two good players that they will need to re-sign and that will be a little harder to do with Lecavalier on the books. Burrows and Edler are set for a raise after the 2013 season. Burrows raise is pretty simple in my opinion, just give him Manny’s 2.5 million and he’ll be happy. Edler on the other hand could be a little more difficult. With Vinnie on the books, finding another 2.5-3 million for Edler could be tough.

However there is rumour that the new CBA could have an out for overpaid contracts. If you believe that it will, I think this deal becomes a no brainer for Vancouver. If you’re skeptical, then the decision gets a little tougher. I’m willing to take the gamble and bet that there is some kind of an out on over paid contacts in the new CBA. And if there isn’t, Vancouver can figure that out in the future.

All in all, Vinnie for Lu is a deal I would do if it were the best deal on the table. Vinnie is still a fairly high-end player, who can get 20-30 goals, and he should be able to stay around that type of production for at least a few more years. If he was a UFA right now, I’m sure someone would give him 4-5 million over four years, so he’s isn’t that much overpaid. Ideally I’d like to get a first round pick and a young player for Lu, but if that isn’t there or Toronto is insistent on taking Komisarek, I’ll take Vinnie and figure it out later. Because of the money owing on Lecalavier’s deal I think Vancouver could get a little more out of them.

Say....

To Vancouver- Lecavalier, the 19 pick, the 50 pick
For
To Tampa Bay- Luongo, the 26 pick, Vancouver’s third in 2013


Vancouver fills a need and moves up in the draft for taking the player with the bigger contract. Tampa gets a goalie, who is still top 15ish in the game and will get them in the playoffs for the next three years. Maybe after that, they will have a young goalie to take over.


Would you trade for Vinnie?


Well that’s a wrap.

See you on the message boards.

Ian
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