This is more then likely our roster for next season
(Drouin/Nichushkin) Stamkos St. Louis
Killorn Lecavalier Purcell
Panik Johnson Connolly
Crombeen Thompson Palat

Salo Hedman
Carle (Lydman, Scuderi or ????)
Brewer Gudas
Aulie

Bishop
Lindback

http://www.nhl.com/ice/m_news.htm?id=673955

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.
- TandA4Flames

I don't get it.

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.
- TandA4Flames

I don't care how much of an anchor his contract is, I don't want us taking a woefully undervalued package of dime a dozen players and picks for someone who in all likely hood will be a star in this league. We'll trade Vinny in a separate deal if we have to but I don't want the lightning giving away our pick just cuz the leafs are doing us a favour.

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.
- Steven_Dean

What the absolute (frank). We are not trading the third overall pick who will likely turn into a star in the NHL for little to no value just so you guys can do us a favour.

And do you honestly think they won't make a separate trade to fit their top draft pick under the cap. We went through the same poop with the leafs when we were drafting second overall, we took Hedman and we made it work and we'll make it work again.

Why do leafs fans think that unless we subdue to their every whim and give them what they want that our team will crumble and cease to exist? You do realize their are twenty 29 other teams in the NHL we can trade with to clear cap space right?

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.
- aries1976

im not insisting any of you are stupid/dumb when i ask about lecavaliers identity being known, i was trying to emphasize he is worth a lot more than what ive been seein here with/without the contract he is currently under

not meant to be ignorant to anyone besides the leafs

I don't care how much of an anchor his contract is, I don't want us taking a woefully undervalued package of dime a dozen players and picks for someone who in all likely hood will be a star in this league. We'll trade Vinny in a separate deal if we have to but I don't want the lightning giving away our pick just cuz the leafs are doing us a favour.
- Icegirl94

with his no trade clause, you can't trade him at all....

only shot of getting rid of him, is getting him to waive, and if he wants to stay in Tampa, someone will have to buy him out, or your stuck with a player not worth the scratch he is making.... and very doubtful he waives unless he finds his way back to Tampa, so what are the Bolts going to offer to a team, to pay out $30 something million??? ... outside of Stamkos, you don't have such an asset.

What the absolute (frank). We are not trading the third overall pick who will likely turn into a star in the NHL for little to no value just so you guys can do us a favour.

And do you honestly think they won't make a separate trade to fit their top draft pick under the cap. We went through the same poop with the leafs when we were drafting second overall, we took Hedman and we made it work and we'll make it work again.

Why do leafs fans think that unless we subdue to their every whim and give them what they want that our team will crumble and cease to exist? You do realize their are twenty 29 other teams in the NHL we can trade with to clear cap space right?
- Icegirl94

if someone whom is deeply connected is saying this deal has wheels, you gotta look at what it could be for... where there is smoke there is fire.... this really has nothing to do with the Leafs, it's what Bolts management going to do?

because you have the third overall pick, doesn't guarantee a good player will be drafted, or in Tampa's hope, a savior... the bonuses for a player you hope is a top 6 forward, is about $3.5 mil.... and seeing as your paying a "bottom 10" defense in the league around $23mil.. and your buyout is a forward in Malone...
means minimal chance your Defense is going to improve... good luck next season...

with his no trade clause, you can't trade him at all....

only shot of getting rid of him, is getting him to waive, and if he wants to stay in Tampa, someone will have to buy him out, or your stuck with a player not worth the scratch he is making.... and very doubtful he waives unless he finds his way back to Tampa, so what are the Bolts going to offer to a team, to pay out $30 something million??? ... outside of Stamkos, you don't have such an asset.
- aries1976

Exactly. Vinny at 7+ turning up 40 points will be rough. Malone is a smaller scale of that exact problem. St. Louis isn't getting any younger either.

The Leafs would likely pay more than the rumour suggests. If this deal was in the works, I wouldn't be surprised seeing 2-3 picks, 2-3 prospects and a pair of roster players for Vinny, 3rd and another roster player (likely Malone, maybe Brewer, outside shot at Salo)

From the roster players, you'd see Kulemin/Frattin/Gunnerson/Scrivins and one of Grabovski or Liles. Depending on whether the idea is to buy and buyout Vinny or keep him. You'll see two firsts, and probably a 2nd. Prospects will be one B prospect and an average one. Matt Finn, Joe Colborne or Leivo.

It's a boatload of mid level pieces, top 60 draft picks and some roster players to fill out the roster around the young core.

im not insisting any of you are stupid/dumb when i ask about lecavaliers identity being known, i was trying to emphasize he is worth a lot more than what ive been seein here with/without the contract he is currently under

not meant to be ignorant to anyone besides the leafs
- RileyB77

Lecavalier is a quickly depreciating asset... he is aging, he is injury prone, and his contract is horrible for what he does provide on the score sheet, he is untradable due to his no trade clause, and your owner in the end, wont throw away money to buy him out.. Lecavalier wants to stay in TB

with the Bolts reasonably close to the cap... outside of Buying out Malone, what else can the Bolts do?? .. Free agency won't help this team, with no money to spend, because the owner won't go to the cap max, because the team bleeds money...

in the end money talks.

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.
- aries1976

I have to agree, I don't think a lot of the TBL fans get it. You can't afford Vinny, not if you have interest in bettering the team this year or next. Quite honestly, I'm surprised any decent return would be offered. Seriously, $40mil in cash so you can keep your captain and not suffer another 7 years of a serious anchor that will get worse in the next few years. Vinny's #s have been in decline overall since he signed that contract. Giving up 1 year of a top pick is a tough pill to swallow but in the long run is a small price to pay. This proposal gives the team a lot of flexibility going forward.

What the absolute (frank). We are not trading the third overall pick who will likely turn into a star in the NHL for little to no value just so you guys can do us a favour.

And do you honestly think they won't make a separate trade to fit their top draft pick under the cap. We went through the same poop with the leafs when we were drafting second overall, we took Hedman and we made it work and we'll make it work again.

Why do leafs fans think that unless we subdue to their every whim and give them what they want that our team will crumble and cease to exist? You do realize their are twenty 29 other teams in the NHL we can trade with to clear cap space right?
- Icegirl94

Most of which (teams) are in a similar boat. Who are the lightning going to trade to save that cap space; who wants to take that cap space in return. I'm interested to see what Stevie Y does.

Was it Jay Feaster or Brian Lawton that signed Vinny to his contract?

you people just don't get what vinny means to the tampa area? When vinny was drafted we were told that this pick meant a Stanley cup in our future and lo and behold; tampa was the first warm weather team to hoist lord Stanley and vinny was one of the main reasons.

Vinny goes and that's a big hit; fans love vinny as he is one of the most recognized athletes in tampa bay; so please stop doing us favors and let us worry about vinny.

Michael I like your blogs, your knowledgeable about hockey but if stevie y gets rid of vinny and brings in Richards that would be the stupidest move in franchise history and I would cancel both my season tickets before the ink dried on that deal.

Just think if we got legwand instead? don't think tampa would still have a team.

you people just don't get what vinny means to the tampa area? When vinny was drafted we were told that this pick meant a Stanley cup in our future and lo and behold; tampa was the first warm weather team to hoist lord Stanley and vinny was one of the main reasons.

Vinny goes and that's a big hit; fans love vinny as he is one of the most recognized athletes in tampa bay; so please stop doing us favors and let us worry about vinny.

Michael I like your blogs, your knowledgeable about hockey but if stevie y gets rid of vinny and brings in Richards that would be the stupidest move in franchise history and I would cancel both my season tickets before the ink dried on that deal.

Just think if we got legwand instead? don't think tampa would still have a team.
- vinnybolt4life

I hope he doesn't do it. I just thought it was at least interesting.

you people just don't get what vinny means to the tampa area? When vinny was drafted we were told that this pick meant a Stanley cup in our future and lo and behold; tampa was the first warm weather team to hoist lord Stanley and vinny was one of the main reasons.

Vinny goes and that's a big hit; fans love vinny as he is one of the most recognized athletes in tampa bay; so please stop doing us favors and let us worry about vinny.

Michael I like your blogs, your knowledgeable about hockey but if stevie y gets rid of vinny and brings in Richards that would be the stupidest move in franchise history and I would cancel both my season tickets before the ink dried on that deal.

Just think if we got legwand instead? don't think tampa would still have a team.
- vinnybolt4life

Except the Stars won one first. Also, you were not going to draft Legwand...Vinny was the undisputed #1 overall that year.

Also, I requested buying out Vinny as opposed to the other recommendations to trade him to buy him out. While that makes it impossible for him to re-sign, if you have someone like B. Richards, who was just as important if not more important in your cup run., filling in his spot, what does it matter? However, I also said that Vinny is a good hockey player, and one that I don't see a "falling off" as the media and others do. So I recommend to buy him out, as opposed to trading him to be bought out, only if you feel like he will be a detriment more than an asset...especially at 7.7 mil/yr. B. Richards had 34 points in 46 games. Vinny had 32 in 39, after a few years of decline. they are the same age. Not seeing where you think that Richards is so far behind Vinny. It's a salary cap world, put the nostalgia aside.

Also...no..no you won't cancel your season tickets.

Was it Jay Feaster or Brian Lawton that signed Vinny to his contract?
- thundachunk

Feaster quit over the proposition from management to give that contract.

Except the Stars won one first. Also, you were not going to draft Legwand...Vinny was the undisputed #1 overall that year.

Also, I requested buying out Vinny as opposed to the other recommendations to trade him to buy him out. While that makes it impossible for him to re-sign, if you have someone like B. Richards, who was just as important if not more important in your cup run., filling in his spot, what does it matter? However, I also said that Vinny is a good hockey player, and one that I don't see a "falling off" as the media and others do. So I recommend to buy him out, as opposed to trading him to be bought out, only if you feel like he will be a detriment more than an asset...especially at 7.7 mil/yr. B. Richards had 34 points in 46 games. Vinny had 32 in 39, after a few years of decline. they are the same age. Not seeing where you think that Richards is so far behind Vinny. It's a salary cap world, put the nostalgia aside.

Also...no..no you won't cancel your season tickets.
- Blackstrom2

Yes, quicker than a blink of the eye tickets cancelled!!!!

Yes, quicker than a blink of the eye tickets cancelled!!!!
- vinnybolt4life

Very well could win the cup if they get rid of Vinny and you as a seasons ticket holder.

Think about it

Very interesting thread.

All the salient issues have been addressed; I really don't have much to add.

Just as a fan of the business side of the sport, I have to admit I'm totally curious about what the Lightning do.

On the one hand...bottom line, the Lecavalier contract is horrific. At his age and cap hit...it's just not a good contract. It even has a no-trade clause. Yikes. And the Lightning have some cap woes.

At the same time, he's a good captain, charitable in the community. He fits a role on the roster that could be filled by another player, but not necessarily from within the Lightning system.

And finally, the Lightning have the third pick in a deep draft, and other people want it.

What they do...it'll be interesting. I can see both sides of the issue, and it is going to be fascinating, whatever they do.

you people just don't get what vinny means to the tampa area? When vinny was drafted we were told that this pick meant a Stanley cup in our future and lo and behold; tampa was the first warm weather team to hoist lord Stanley and vinny was one of the main reasons.

Vinny goes and that's a big hit; fans love vinny as he is one of the most recognized athletes in tampa bay; so please stop doing us favors and let us worry about vinny.

Michael I like your blogs, your knowledgeable about hockey but if stevie y gets rid of vinny and brings in Richards that would be the stupidest move in franchise history and I would cancel both my season tickets before the ink dried on that deal.

Just think if we got legwand instead? don't think tampa would still have a team.
- vinnybolt4life

you're forgetting that the deal implies that Lecavalier will re-sign with TB at a huge discount. I mean if he doesn't then the deal is 2 2nd/3rd line players, and a couple of top picks for the 3rd overall pick AND Lecavalier.

TB can afford to lose the 3rd overall pick if they shed that much salary and get a decent package of players to help now and picks to use later. I may not be preferred but options are slim. Think about now people thought Chicago would be screwed when they gave up Ladd, Byfuglien, & Versteeg for virtually nothing. It seemed to work for them.

Very interesting thread.

All the salient issues have been addressed; I really don't have much to add.

Just as a fan of the business side of the sport, I have to admit I'm totally curious about what the Lightning do.

On the one hand...bottom line, the Lecavalier contract is horrific. At his age and cap hit...it's just not a good contract. It even has a no-trade clause. Yikes. And the Lightning have some cap woes.

At the same time, he's a good captain, charitable in the community. He fits a role on the roster that could be filled by another player, but not necessarily from within the Lightning system.

And finally, the Lightning have the third pick in a deep draft, and other people want it.

What they do...it'll be interesting. I can see both sides of the issue, and it is going to be fascinating, whatever they do.
- AllInForFlyers

Bottom line to next season is : young
Our team is in rebuild mode and having st Louis and vinny is deeply needed for these guys...look how muvh st louis helped conacher at the start of the season

We keep the 3rd and draft a YOUNG stud....if we trade it....it will be for a young proven defenseman and anotheer young stud within the top 10 , our team OS all about youth next season with brown Johnson stamkos hedman palate panik killorn gudas barberio connolly being our core, and st Louis and vinny are the veterans there to lead these giys to success

The bottom line is that he isnt going anywhere because we can sign our players in the ahl at very cheap prices and they will forfill most of the roster , lecavalier next season as a. uyout is a definate no go , just a question....of a player on a contract is willing to stay and play for less. Shouldn't they be able to renew such contract? I believe vinny would do anything to stay and help out for a lot less than 7.8 mill his heart is bigger than his mind ...I know u can't do that but it would make sense if the player was willi.g

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.
- Steven_Dean

Malone is a goner which makes the bolded part obsolete. As for Vinny, he's not going anywhere and he's especially not going anywhere in some buyout/salary dump for the #3 pick. Vinik's wealth is somewhere between $800M and $1B, so $30M over 14 years isn't exactly going to break him.

In 4 years when the salary cap is back above $70M Vinny's contract won't be the "anchor" it is now.

with his no trade clause, you can't trade him at all....

only shot of getting rid of him, is getting him to waive, and if he wants to stay in Tampa, someone will have to buy him out, or your stuck with a player not worth the scratch he is making.... and very doubtful he waives unless he finds his way back to Tampa, so what are the Bolts going to offer to a team, to pay out $30 something million??? ... outside of Stamkos, you don't have such an asset.
- aries1976

See above....Vinik's worth is between $800M and $1B, so $30M over 14 YEARS isn't exactly a bankruptcy pill if that's the route they take. The #3 pick isn't going away in some salary dump trade.

Shooting in the dark here but what would it take for the Sens to get Purcell?