Lol. Why would TB trade Vinny, when they can just buy him out? If Leafs want that 3rd overall pick, get ready to give up Gardiner, their 1st, and a top-6 forward.

Only way Yzerman even turns on his phone for Nonis is if Nonis is willing to start the conversation with Gardiner and a 1st.
- dlachine

That trade doesn't make any sense at all.

People need to keep in mind Vinny is signed for many more years at an inflated price and his skills will decrease. This entire concept of Vinny + (a real asset) is money based. The rich team with Cap space buying from the poor team. It boils down to Toronto buying an asset out side the cap system.

via the chicago blogger

"First, I heard a rumor out of Canada on Monday (very good source) that the Leafs have offered two mid-level roster players and a package of draft picks for Tampa Bay’s 3rd selection overall and Vincent LeCavalier, who would then be bought out.

Not making it up—I wouldn’t pretend to know enough about either team to do so. Good source, take it for what it is."

imagine trading him, then him being bought out just to be resigned for like 3-4 mil
- nightmare3020

So trade to TO. Then Buyout. Resign with TB. Toronto eats the salary but gets the high end draft pick. then TB gets there guy back (because he can't sign with the team that bought him out) YES I THINK YOU GOT IT!

Wouldnt put it past the Leafs, they basically bought Franson for the price of Lombardis uninsured contract

"First, I heard a rumor out of Canada on Monday (very good source) that the Leafs have offered two mid-level roster players and a package of draft picks for Tampa Bay’s 3rd selection overall and Vincent LeCavalier, who would then be bought out."

Wonder what the package of draft picks is, could be worth a look

The cash (not cap) to buyout Vinny is $30,000,000 over 14 years. Buy Toronto Could pay and play him for one year to reduce this hit.

If you had the cash - what would you pay for the third overall. $5MM, $10MM????

The cash (not cap) to buyout Vinny is $30,000,000 over 14 years. Buy Toronto Could pay and play him for one year to reduce this hit.

If you had the cash - what would you pay for the third overall. $5MM, $10MM????
- akermack

Like i said they paid 3 basically for Franson, id say 15 mill if its the Leafs

Like i said they paid 3 basically for Franson, id say 15 mill if its the Leafs
- poohcrumbs

I'm right there with you. It's $30MM but spread out so far the time value of money will decrease. I could do a NPV calculation but you get the idea.

The greater problem now is how does Stevie Y sell this to the fan base.???? That's where the other roster players come back I suppose....

I'm right there with you. It's $30MM but spread out so far the time value of money will decrease. I could do a NPV calculation but you get the idea.

The greater problem now is how does Stevie Y sell this to the fan base.???? That's where the other roster players come back I suppose....
- akermack

Give them Grabovski and keep Vinny.

Give them Grabovski and keep Vinny.
- Viktory

So its

to TO
Vinny + 3rd pick

to TB
Grabo

TO buys out Vinny, TO gets $30MM cash payout over 14 years. Vinny resigns back in TB at what ever.....

Wouldnt put it past the Leafs, they basically bought Franson for the price of Lombardis uninsured contract

"First, I heard a rumor out of Canada on Monday (very good source) that the Leafs have offered two mid-level roster players and a package of draft picks for Tampa Bay’s 3rd selection overall and Vincent LeCavalier, who would then be bought out."

Wonder what the package of draft picks is, could be worth a look
- poohcrumbs

so a couple of 3rd line grinders and some draft picks? If Yzerman does this he should be fired on draft day. Unless the package of draft picks is 1st rounders for the next 6 years, I want no part of this deal. I don't believe that this would be the best offer for that pick either. Why can't we just draft Drouin and be happy?

so a couple of 3rd line grinders and some draft picks? If Yzerman does this he should be fired on draft day. Unless the package of draft picks is 1st rounders for the next 6 years, I want no part of this deal. I don't believe that this would be the best offer for that pick either. Why can't we just draft Drouin and be happy?
- Icegirl94

How about this?

Gunner
Grabo
1st Rounder + 2nd Rounder 2013 (leafs)
Matt Finn
Conditional First 2014 if Leafs make ECF that year, if not it's a 3rd from the same year

for

Vinny
Malone
Tampas First?

A top 4 steady Dman like Ohlund, a #2 center signed for a few years at lower cap hit and less money. 2-3 high draft picks in the Top 60, and our 2nd best defensive prospect in the CHL.

How did we get flooded with idiotic Leafs fans and their even more idiotic trade speculation?!? Big news for you, Leafs fans: Vinny has a no trade clause! No way he waives it to go to TO. The only way Vinny leaves Tampa is if he's bought out and there's pretty much no chance that happens. Vinik is not stupid. Neither is Yzerman. And for all of you saying Vinny will get traded then bought out then resign with Tampa: Do you know how bad the league would investigate all of that? That would mean Vinny was told to waive his no trade clause with assurance he would be bought out and assurance he would be resigned by Lightning... Both teams would be fined for tempering and lose draft picks for a move like that.

Trade Malone for picks to a team like the Islanders. Sign Scuderi to 5 years, 25mil (if he takes that) and add a veteran 3rd-4th line guy for about 2mil... rest of the spots are taken by youngster with low cap hit. Draft best available at the draft (any of Mackinnon, Drouin, Nichuskin, Barkov, or Jones sound fine and dandy). Go on developing a deep system. Within 2-3 years, Tampa will be a Stanley Cup Contender every year, a la Red Wings of the past 2 decades.

How about this?

Gunner
Grabo
1st Rounder + 2nd Rounder 2013 (leafs)
Matt Finn
Conditional First 2014 if Leafs make ECF that year, if not it's a 3rd from the same year

for

Vinny
Malone
Tampas First?

A top 4 steady Dman like Ohlund, a #2 center signed for a few years at lower cap hit and less money. 2-3 high draft picks in the Top 60, and our 2nd best defensive prospect in the CHL.
- Viktory

none of those players are very impressive and certainly not enough to want us to give up the 3rd overall pick. I'm sorry but if you want this pick all conversations start and end with Jake Gardiner+ . Overpayment? maybe but that's what you are looking at to get us to give up this pick. The only deal I've read on here so far that I'd even consider is Myers+8th from Buffalo and I don't think your deal here is better.

To me, there really isn't an argument for buying out Lecavalier this summer. If Yzerman can deal with the cap situation this season (ie. make a move with Malone), the pressure is off until next summer. At that point, when Vinny is 34, the team can re-evaluate buying him out. He's still serviceable, and he really isn't causing the team any headaches right now. Add to that the fact that the team doesn't have anyone to replace him, and it's hard to imagine him being bought out this summer. Keep the third, and deal with this if it needs to be dealt with next year.

The most intriguing Lecavalier thing I've seen here is dealing him or buying him out, and then signing Richards if he gets bought out by the Rangers. Still, I just can't see Yzerman parting with the 3rd overall pick. A core comprised of Stamkos, Hedman, Drouin/Nichushkin/Barkov would be one hell of an animal for opposing teams to deal with in a year or two. Keeping Lecavalier does nothing to hurt that from happening at this time.

How about this?

Gunner
Grabo
1st Rounder + 2nd Rounder 2013 (leafs)
Matt Finn
Conditional First 2014 if Leafs make ECF that year, if not it's a 3rd from the same year

for

Vinny
Malone
Tampas First?

A top 4 steady Dman like Ohlund, a #2 center signed for a few years at lower cap hit and less money. 2-3 high draft picks in the Top 60, and our 2nd best defensive prospect in the CHL.
- Viktory

The only assets I'd have any interest in would be the ones the Leafs consider to be untouchable. I get that the Leafs would be doing the Lightning a 'favor' by dealing with Vinny's contract, but that third overall pick is going to come at quite a premium. For a franchise with lots of cash like the Leafs, a Lecavalier buyout doesn't hurt nearly as much from a dollars and cents perspective. So really, for the Leafs, it's acquiring the third overall pick for some spare parts. I don't know that the 'favor' is worth it to the Lightning.

via the chicago blogger

"First, I heard a rumor out of Canada on Monday (very good source) that the Leafs have offered two mid-level roster players and a package of draft picks for Tampa Bay’s 3rd selection overall and Vincent LeCavalier, who would then be bought out.

Not making it up—I wouldn’t pretend to know enough about either team to do so. Good source, take it for what it is."

imagine trading him, then him being bought out just to be resigned for like 3-4 mil
- nightmare3020

Does the Chicago blogger know that Vinny has a no-movement clause?

How did we get flooded with idiotic Leafs fans and their even more idiotic trade speculation?!? Big news for you, Leafs fans: Vinny has a no trade clause! No way he waives it to go to TO. The only way Vinny leaves Tampa is if he's bought out and there's pretty much no chance that happens. Vinik is not stupid. Neither is Yzerman. And for all of you saying Vinny will get traded then bought out then resign with Tampa: Do you know how bad the league would investigate all of that? That would mean Vinny was told to waive his no trade clause with assurance he would be bought out and assurance he would be resigned by Lightning... Both teams would be fined for tempering and lose draft picks for a move like that.
- TBolts4

Okay, which team will feel tampered with, and charge with tampering?

Negotiation rights to MacArthur
Kulemin
2013 1st and 3rd round picks
2014 2nd and 4th round picks


for

Vinny
2013 3rd overall pick

To me, there really isn't an argument for buying out Lecavalier this summer. If Yzerman can deal with the cap situation this season (ie. make a move with Malone), the pressure is off until next summer. At that point, when Vinny is 34, the team can re-evaluate buying him out. He's still serviceable, and he really isn't causing the team any headaches right now. Add to that the fact that the team doesn't have anyone to replace him, and it's hard to imagine him being bought out this summer. Keep the third, and deal with this if it needs to be dealt with next year.

The most intriguing Lecavalier thing I've seen here is dealing him or buying him out, and then signing Richards if he gets bought out by the Rangers. Still, I just can't see Yzerman parting with the 3rd overall pick. A core comprised of Stamkos, Hedman, Drouin/Nichushkin/Barkov would be one hell of an animal for opposing teams to deal with in a year or two. Keeping Lecavalier does nothing to hurt that from happening at this time.
- Michael_Stuart

depends on the owner (Vinik).... for a franchise not making money.... does he buy out Lecavalier himself, with no shot at re-couping the money, or allow a possibly great asset go, to save himself a good $30mil, by allowing another Ownership group buy out a contract that is overvalue, and will get worse by the year.

Rich people are rich for a reason, they don't like making too many bad financial deals, or they won't be rich for very longer, Vinik may have put a lot of money into the new arena, but I'm sure he doesn't want to double down a contract he inherited from a previous regime...

Tampa has multiple options here, but really none of us know what is happening behind closed doors, i'm sure there have been serious discussions about the proposed idea with the Leafs, how serious we won't know unless someone talks about it publically.... in Vinik wants to spend closer to the league minimum, then towards the league maximum, the Leafs proposal is more likely to happen, then Vinik is likely okay with holding Lecavalier, but will lose out on his amnesty buyout period, which ends this offseason....

Basically, it's a money decision, not a hockey decision.... is the third overall pick worth more to the team, then $30 million dollars, and a $hit load of cap space to re-sign the player then likely gets bought out... If Tampa is losing money every year, the concept isnt far fetched, regardless of what team the Bolts deal with.

via the chicago blogger

"First, I heard a rumor out of Canada on Monday (very good source) that the Leafs have offered two mid-level roster players and a package of draft picks for Tampa Bay’s 3rd selection overall and Vincent LeCavalier, who would then be bought out.

Not making it up—I wouldn’t pretend to know enough about either team to do so. Good source, take it for what it is."

imagine trading him, then him being bought out just to be resigned for like 3-4 mil
- nightmare3020

Isn't this exactly what I was suggesting at the start of this blog?!

so a couple of 3rd line grinders and some draft picks? If Yzerman does this he should be fired on draft day. Unless the package of draft picks is 1st rounders for the next 6 years, I want no part of this deal. I don't believe that this would be the best offer for that pick either. Why can't we just draft Drouin and be happy?
- Icegirl94

You guys don't get it. Vinny's contract is a boat anchor. And although it is ok right now, that anchor is slowly falling into that deep dark waters and will soon hit the bottom. In 2 years you'll be wishing you dumped him now.

LOL....WTF????

toronto fans : " we will give you some SHlTTY 3rd liners and a prospect with some shltty draft picks for Vincent Lecavalier and your 3rd"

is this for real? do you know who lecavalier is? jeeeeeeeeesus people come on!!

3RD OVERALL IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, UNLESS, AS MICHAEL STATED, IT COMES WITH A PROVEN SKILLED DEFENSEMAN AND ANOTHER PICK WITHIN THE TOP 10.

anyone else with any other opinions of what our trade should be dealt for is mistaking ....and as for the buyout of vinny....no way

we dont need your poopty depth 3rd liners toronto or your late draft picks we have young talent coming up to fill our 3rd+4th lines that would do better than yours

let's throw in a prospect with that 3rd over-all too just to be a little selfish

LOL....WTF????

toronto fans : " we will give you some SHlTTY 3rd liners and a prospect with some shltty draft picks for Vincent Lecavalier and your 3rd"

is this for real? do you know who lecavalier is? jeeeeeeeeesus people come on!!

3RD OVERALL IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, UNLESS, AS MICHAEL STATED, IT COMES WITH A PROVEN SKILLED DEFENSEMAN AND ANOTHER PICK WITHIN THE TOP 10.

anyone else with any other opinions of what our trade should be dealt for is mistaking ....and as for the buyout of vinny....no way

we dont need your poopty depth 3rd liners toronto or your late draft picks we have young talent coming up to fill our 3rd+4th lines that would do better than
yours
- RileyB77

That's fairly ignorant...

we know whom Lecavalier is, knew about him 2 years before he got drafted, had a good career in Rimouski, playing on a line with Richards, but also outside of Peter Forsberg, never seen a player spend more time not playing due to season ending injuries then Lecavalier... the proposal see's the leafs buying him out, so TB can resign him, so you don't lose him... you just save money on him... fairly easy concept.

as a Hockey deal, perhaps TB fans have a right to be p.O'd about the prospects of such a deal, but as a financial decision, as a smaller market team, you have to the bigger picture... maybe your owner doesn't want that contract on his books anymore, and if he buy's him out, that player can't return for a year... but if someone else does, $30 mil saved!!

as for a package... if the deal is with the Leafs.... Franson, Finn or Liles would NOT be a bad starting point with various picks and a depth forward, when Malone gets bought out... liles and Franson are both solid Offensive D-man, I believe Franson was top 10 in D scoring, if not top 15... he is only 24ish...

Matt Finn was drafted early 2nd round, but in most mock drafts, would put him top 15 in the draft now... he game has already improved that much...

not saying a deal will happen, just don't be shocked if it does happen... for a team that doesn't make any money, don't expect them to spend at the max, it's place ownership probably doesnt want to be.

I really doubt Tampa trades the 3rd to the Leafs, since they are division foes now. To save some cash!

lol, some of you TB fans are really missing the point. The trade isn't one top 6 forward & a franchise player for 2 mid-level players and a package of picks. It is the 3rd overall pick for 2 mid-level players, a package of picks (which may be 1sts & 2nds, you don't know), AND a $45M cash / $7.7M cap hit contract which will be converted to a shorter term deal at HALF the cash and almost half the cap (the Leafs pay up $30M over the next decade and a half).

TB saves $4M-$6M in cash allowing them to spend closer to the salary cap (which they never do), and free up $2.5M-$3.5M in cap which can be used to add a piece they need if they want to make the playoffs.

While a deal of the 3rd overall pick for 2 mid-level players and a package of picks is a horrible deal on its face, freeing up that much cash and salary is necessary if TB is going to go from 28th in the league to a playoff team. Heck as of right now they can't even afford the cap hit of a top draft pick because of bonuses, lol.

I understand if you TB fans would never do this trade but it is a possibility they have to consider if they want to improve.