Lightning aren't going to trade Lecavalier. Idea has been thrown out there, and quickly shot down by most of the Lightning beat writers. There's nobody, and I mean nobody, in the system to replace him right now. Add to his offensive production and leadership all the things he does in the community, and it becomes hard to deal him. Like the Sedins in Vancouver, he is a class act through and through.

I remember reading about the Sedins' donation to BC Children's Hospital and feeling that overwhelming sense of respect for them as both hockey players, and individuals. Vinny is the same way for Tampa. http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=509288
- Michael_Stuart

you sure trust your Lightning beat writers to be well informed... Those guys may be around the team a lot but they are no more privy to actual trade discussions than you or I. They're just first to find out AFTER something goes down due to their proximity to the team. The fact that they quickly shot the idea down holds no weight. Your other reasons make sense though...

you sure trust your Lightning beat writers to be well informed... Those guys may be around the team a lot but they are no more privy to actual trade discussions than you or I. They're just first to find out AFTER something goes down due to their proximity to the team. The fact that they quickly shot the idea down holds no weight. Your other reasons make sense though...
- DrChristianTroy

I trust the opinions of folks who cover the team on a daily basis, sure. The media is more clued in than a lot of people give it credit for. Point being that their reasons for shutting down any Lecavalier rumor are the same as mine. I posted a blog on Lecavalier and a potential buyout situation a while back citing those reasons. Fact of the matter is that the Bolts can't afford to buyout Lecavalier. It's usually national media, or opposing fans who throw out Lecavalier trade rumors.

Fickle fan base......... It's a tough topic. Do we throw our eggs in one basket or try and have a long last cup contending team?
- Boinker

Not this year ,build for the future IMO

Pominville for Kesler?
- jdfitz77

Pomminville and Hodgson for Kesler

He gets ripped because of the dives. Other than that, people generally like the guy.
If there was an issue, i think we would have seen him dealt by now.

Nothing against Pommer, but it will take more than him to land Kesler.
- IanEsplen

It's been a strange year with:

The lockout and subsequent compressed schedule.
The lack of a training camp for a veteran team.
The Luongo/Schneider fiasco.
The length of recovery and injury to Kesler.
The fact AV is an idiot and he continually puts strange lines out there?
The fact we STILL don't have a contributing second line after how many years?
The fact we used to have strength up the middle and now it's a weakness!
- LeftCoaster

I see it not as a strange year but more of a continuation of last year.

The team needs new faces

Who remembers when Luongo straight up for LeCavalier was a hot topic?

Not saying I would or wouldn't... But here's some food for thought.

LeCavalier's contract (which I (frank)ing hate) is just a Manny Malhotra cap hit more than Luongo's (whose cap hit will be dead money riding the pine @ some point in the near future anyways). PLUS, maybe if we had someone of LeCavalier's stature on that 2nd line, moving Kesler to RW wouldn't be so (frank)ing difficult for AV to fathom.

Cap Trade-Off:
Luongo (To TB) & Malhotra (IR) = $7.833
LeCavalier (To VAN) = $7.727

We add a pick/prospect and ask for Lindback as well... He makes $1.8.

Trade Ballard to Calgary for Babchuck for a cap savings of $1.7 million.

Makes sense right?

Sedin Sedin Burrows
Raymond LeCavalier Kesler
Booth Schroeder Kassian
Higgins Lapierre Hansen

Edler Tanev
Hamhuis Bieksa
Garrison Babchuck

Schneider
Lindback

BOOM. Stanley Cup.

IF Jensen comes here and shows something prior to the TDL, we trade Raymond for a young RH D who can step in for Babchuck next season. If not, we risk letting Raymond go for nothing and let Jensen step in as a Top 6 ELC for next season. Babchuck also comes off the books and is replaced by a low cost vet or ELC like Corrado. I know our franchise isn't known for rushing guys to the NHL level, but if they're capable we're going to have to switch our philosophy due to the cap.

Thoughts?
- DrChristianTroy

I would do the Vinny trade but doubt he would waive his NTC

I still think Lou for Nino N is fair. He is a young prospect which the Islanders have no intention of ever using because of the in house fighting.

Learn what... Raymond has been our best player beyond the top line this season. I'm not against re-signing him as a 2nd/3rd line LW.

Edit: I did mean to type a range of $2.5-$3.0 million per for the hypothetical Raymond extension, and we'd only do that if we chose to keep him over Booth.
- DrChristianTroy

2.5 /3 years 3 rd line is ok

What The F*** Facts‏@WhatTheFFacts

In China, a man divorced and sued his wife for $120,000 for being ugly and won the case.




God Bless China

What The F*** Facts‏@WhatTheFFacts

In China, a man divorced and sued his wife for $120,000 for being ugly and won the case.




God Bless China
- VANTEL

Have you seen the pics? I can't blame him, she birthed an ugly child....

Have you seen the pics? I can't blame him, she birthed an ugly child....
- I-own_da-Northwest

I think you should be able to sue wives if they gain weight or get ugly. This death do we part crap is a lot to take on. They have to keep up their end of the bargain

Not with the Lightning. Playing with the Crunch. Big minutes. Good production. 51 points in 57 games.
- Michael_Stuart

Thanks for the update on Connelly Glad he is getting good minutes.

What The F*** Facts‏@WhatTheFFacts

In China, a man divorced and sued his wife for $120,000 for being ugly and won the case.




God Bless China
- VANTEL

WTF!