Who gives a flying (frank) about facts when you have opinion and enjoy being a douche?
- Artyukhin76

This is also a good option!

we could trade Concaher back to you for Malone ....... that would make it Bishop for Malone

I said 'just over $2.5MM' and 'over the course of the new contract..." with regards to the deal you've proposed. I understand that there would be more money in the later years. There aren't many ways to gain cap space. That's why the blog is titled 'Mission Impossible'. It's not pretty in Lightning land. I just don't see buying out Vinny as being the way to go.
- Michael_Stuart

I get that, "mission impossible." But no GM is going to sit on their hands, especially when, as you say, the owner wants a winner. There are things that canbe done. It sounds like you're content blowing this season and maybe another until you lose a few large contracts over that time.

I said 'just over $2.5MM' and 'over the course of the new contract..." with regards to the deal you've proposed. I understand that there would be more money in the later years. There aren't many ways to gain cap space. That's why the blog is titled 'Mission Impossible'. It's not pretty in Lightning land. I just don't see buying out Vinny as being the way to go.
- Michael_Stuart

How deep are your owners pockets? Don't trade him to buy him out, just buy him out and re-sign Richards. NYR will sign vinny.

we could trade Concaher back to you for Malone ....... that would make it Bishop for Malone
- GadesnSens

You would make that deal? Done and done, if so.

I get that, "mission impossible." But no GM is going to sit on their hands, especially when, as you say, the owner wants a winner. There are things that canbe done. It sounds like you're content blowing this season and maybe another until you lose a few large contracts over that time.
- TandA4Flames

No, I've said that buying out Malone is the best course of action and that moves need to be made. There's going to be an infusion of young talent, and the team probably needs one or two veteran additions added to that. Buying out Vinny, to me, isn't the best option from a hockey operations perspective. Malone is the guy I'm looking to get rid of.

How deep are your owners pockets? Don't trade him to buy him out, just buy him out and re-sign Richards. NYR will sign vinny.
- Blackstrom2

I'm surprised it took someone this long to suggest this. I had been thinking about it while I wrote the piece. So, good on ya! It's certainly intriguing. Mr. Vinik has done well for himself, and he has shown that he has no problem spending on the team and city (he put $40MM of his own money into arena upgrades).

Say homer boy have you noticed that since 2007 Vinny's production has gone down every year. That in the last 3 years with one being a shortened season that he has missed 44 games. Have you noticed that in the last 3 years when the trading deadline comes about Vinny's on the IR. Vinny's salary was a dumb move by the previous owners. Vinny's slowing down every year and sooner or later they have to do something. This amnesty option is Christmas in July to make the move now. We all love Vinny's charity golf outings but its time to turn the page.
- cheeselanders

Vinny plays a fine game still, and when you compare it to some of the other contracts out now..it's really not all that bad now. The length is a little insane though.

Vinny plays a fine game still, and when you compare it to some of the other contracts out now..it's really not all that bad now. The length is a little insane though.
- Blackstrom2

Cap hit's not great, length is insane. It's not a great contract. Nobody is going to disagree with that. You're absolutely right, though, that he still plays a fine game.

I get that, "mission impossible." But no GM is going to sit on their hands, especially when, as you say, the owner wants a winner. There are things that canbe done. It sounds like you're content blowing this season and maybe another until you lose a few large contracts over that time.
- TandA4Flames

Buying out Malone gives us 4.5 million plus the 2.4 we already have AND if we hit the cap, we have Ohlunds overage. Malone is the Key to solving our issues in terms of the cap.

Buying out Malone gives us 4.5 million plus the 2.4 we already have AND if we hit the cap, we have Ohlunds overage. Malone is the Key to solving our issues in terms of the cap.
- Artyukhin76

This.

Cap hit's not great, length is insane. It's not a great contract. Nobody is going to disagree with that. You're absolutely right, though, that he still plays a fine game.
- Michael_Stuart

Yeah, but the cap hit really isn't too bad when you compare it to other contracts. It's just the term that makes it unbearable, and the fact that the high hit will still be there in 4-5 years. If the length wasn't ridiculous, I would absolutely consider taking him on the Caps. He seemed to have lost a spark when Cookie Monster took him out with a vicious elbow, but he is still a great player. 19 pts in 18 games two years ago during the ECF run.

Yeah, but the cap hit really isn't too bad when you compare it to other contracts. It's just the term that makes it unbearable, and the fact that the high hit will still be there in 4-5 years. If the length wasn't ridiculous, I would absolutely consider taking him on the Caps. He seemed to have lost a spark when Cookie Monster took him out with a vicious elbow, but he is still a great player. 19 pts in 18 games two years ago during the ECF run.
- Blackstrom2

He produces when it counts. You can never have too many of those guys. If the contract expired in two or three seasons, I don't think anyone would be complaining. Good call.

Sure, but they're pretty limited for you guys. Everyone knows you're up against it, your not going to come close to winning a trade.

Also, you save a lot more than 2.5 a year on the buy out. 1st off, it's 2.7 per but you also save on the last 3 years of Vinny's current contract, 7.7 per for those 3 years = $23.1mil

Other than your own buy outs, what other methods do you see possible for gaining cap space?
- TandA4Flames

When we buyout Malone we are no longer "up against it." As for any potential trade for the #3 pick, it's not even a question. We will absolutely win the trade. Such is life with a draft with a big 3 at the top and a top 3 selection. That being said, there will be no trade for the #3 selection

When we buyout Malone we are no longer "up against it." As for any potential trade for the #3 pick, it's not even a question. We will absolutely win the trade. Such is life with a draft with a big 3 at the top and a top 3 selection. That being said, there will be no trade for the #3 selection
- uf1910

Agreed.

In terms of cap, Malones possible buyout fixes this coming season. Salo (3.75) is up at after 13-14. Both St. Louis (5.625) and Brewer (3.875)are up in 15-16, so chilllax people, trust Mr. Yzerman!

In terms of cap, Malones possible buyout fixes this coming season. Salo (3.75) is up at after 13-14. Both St. Louis (5.625) and Brewer (3.875)are up in 15-16, so chilllax people, trust Mr. Yzerman!
- Artyukhin76

Yes, man.

any chance Malone finds his game again? his numbers dont look so pretty..Komi for Malone would work, but dosnt help the cap hit, what about using the 1st round pick as bait for some cap relief ? Swap 1st and Malone for a young player with cheap hit and mid - late 1st? Example Matt Frattin, Leafs 1st and 2nd, for Malone and your 1st

Im not proposing that, JUST USING it as an EXAMPLE

Im sure some team with a player they want to draft would pay to move up, even just a few spots

Sure, but they're pretty limited for you guys. Everyone knows you're up against it, your not going to come close to winning a trade.

Also, you save a lot more than 2.5 a year on the buy out. 1st off, it's 2.7 per but you also save on the last 3 years of Vinny's current contract, 7.7 per for those 3 years = $23.1mil

Other than your own buy outs, what other methods do you see possible for gaining cap space?
- TandA4Flames

Or tb could keep the pick draft someone like drouin put him with lecavallier and now you have two solid scoring line. Trading the top three pick for cap relief is silly would really set the franchise back

Or tb could keep the pick draft someone like drouin put him with lecavallier and now you have two solid scoring line. Trading the top three pick for cap relief is silly would really set the franchise back
- Mikeflynn3026

I agree with this.

any chance Malone finds his game again? his numbers dont look so pretty..Komi for Malone would work, but dosnt help the cap hit, what about using the 1st round pick as bait for some cap relief ? Swap 1st and Malone for a young player with cheap hit and mid - late 1st? Example Matt Frattin, Leafs 1st and 2nd, for Malone and your 1st

Im not proposing that, JUST USING it as an EXAMPLE

Im sure some team with a player they want to draft would pay to move up, even just a few spots
- poohcrumbs

I completely hear what you're saying. I've actually had some great discussions with fans from around the league regarding this sort of thing. If a team within the top-10 was willing to part with a really good, young D-man and its pick for the third (because that team really wants a crack at Drouin or whoever), I'd have a hard time saying no. It would be a gross overpayment for the third overall, but that's the kind of deal it's going to take for the Lightning to part with it.

You would make that deal? Done and done, if so.
- Michael_Stuart

to tell you the truth, I kind of lost track of Malone after he left Pittsburg. I quickly checked his stats and they appear to have stayed pretty consistent since then.

he was a strong winger of what I recall, but I dont really know what he is now????

2L/3L winger.... a little overpriced .... tendancy to get injured... slowed a bit .... can still bring it during the play-offs (has TB made the play-offs since he's been there??)

People, within 2 years the cap will be back at 70-75 million anyways so Vinny's cap hit wont be anything. He's still extremely important to the Lightning, and not only because of how much he means to the community. When Vinny went down with injury, Boucher didn't have anyone to count on to win important faceoffs... Vinny's faceoff abilities are worth a lot to this team. Stammer really needs to work on that.
Vinny's leadership is also incredibly important with all those young kids the team is grooming into winners... SAy what you want about Vinny, but the guy is a winner. Noone else I would rather have than Vinny teaching the youth how to win.

to tell you the truth, I kind of lost track of Malone after he left Pittsburg. I quickly checked his stats and they appear to have stayed pretty consistent since then.

he was a strong winger of what I recall, but I dont really know what he is now????

2L/3L winger.... a little overpriced .... tendancy to get injured... slowed a bit .... can still bring it during the play-offs (has TB made the play-offs since he's been there??)
- GadesnSens

Yes, went to the ECF in 2010-11. Like you said, he's a tweener (2L/3L) on a decent team and probably a third liner on a contending team. Your assessment is pretty spot on.

AAV's on new deals are going up. Just look at last year's big contracts for Suter and Parise with $7.5M cap hits (lower cap hit but with more security of longer term deals). Now the new contracts post CBA for Perry ($8.6 AAV), Getlaf ($8M AAV) and Malkin ($9.5M AAV) b/c teams can't give the 10+ yr or "lifetime" type contracts.

My point is Vinny's cap hit of $7.7M is high (nor is he on the same "level" as those mentioned above), but in the future the cap will go up as NHL revenues rise plus Vinny at the end of his deal is paid less than his hit ($4M, $1.5M, and $1M for the last 3 years respectively). He's not going anywhere is my prediction and he's especially not going anywhere with the #3 pick for buyout purposes.