Under the buyout rules, the 2004 Stanley Cup winner will receive two-thirds the value of his existing deal spread over twice the term of the contract.
The buyout will cost more than $32 million over 14 years to the Lightning, Lecavalier receiving $4,671,905 for the next two seasons and then a lower amount every year until 2026-27. The 33-year-old Montreal native 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points in 39 games during the lockout-shortened season. In 1,037 games with the Bolt, Lecavalier scored 383 goals and 491 assists for 874 points with a -117 +/- ratio.
Lecavalier, who led the NHL with 52 goals during the 2006-07 season, will be once of the most sought-after free agents on July 5th along with the likes of Nathan Horton, Daniel Briere and Jarome Iginla, to name a few.
More than 12 teams have contacted Lecavalier's agent to show their interest, and among them are the Montreal Canadiens according to a source close to the team. Habs general manager Marc Bergevin already made his offer to Lecavalier's clan and now the ball is in Vinny's court. Bergevin really likes the 6'4'', 220-lb, pivot and he made sure the offer was very enticing.
While I don't have the exact numbers, it is believed that Lecavalier is looking for a multi-year deal (4 or 5 years) worth close to $5 million annually. If the Canadiens manages to sign him, expect the organization to trade one of the team's centermen to make room in the line-up and on the payroll. As I wrote in my previous article, Bergevin is dangling David Desharnais who is easier to move at $3.5M/year than Tomas Plekanec at $5M with a no-trade clause.
Expect the Canadiens to be very active today at the draft and the rest of the week leading to free agency next Friday.
9 comments:
I have absolutely no issue with the Habs paying him 5 million a year. Gionta is off the books next year, that frees up the 5 million. I do not like the term for a 33 year old, who's point totals are decreasing and who's nagging injuries are increasing. If we can sign him for 3 years, option for 4, I'm in 100%. 5 years I'm very, very wary.
Would you give him 5.5 for 3 years? more money less term?
Absolutely. Even 6 million over 3 is better than 5 million over 5. He's not aging like Marty St. Louis. If he's producing like Gionta in year 4-5, its not worth the money.
I would do $5M/year for 3 years, but nothing higher or longer.
let him go some place else, if he's such a great player why doesn't Tampa want him anymore, all this would be is another Scott Gomez show
What I find crazy about this situation s that Lecavalier should have been very easily tradeable to whereever Yzerman wanted to send him.
A team like the Islanders for instance could desperately use some size down the middle and have the cap space. Thy could have acquired Vinny and absorb the $7.8 million cap hit.
Why? Yes he was being paid $10 million this year and next but then his salary drops to $8 million in year 3, $4 million in year 4 and then $1 million each in years 5 and 6.
In other words almost $47 million in cap space for the price of $36 million.
Anyway, it wasn't done so now what.
If MB does not trade DD or Plekanec then I don;t see how we can make him an offer. Galchenyuk, Eller need to play center and none of the current roster should be on the 4th line.
Can Vinny play wing? Maybe he can and can be an upgrade over say a Gionta or a Ryder. The current need however is a guy like a CLowe or Clarkson.
I really have no idea how this team will take shape for the coming season.
Iagree with clarkson 100%
Looks like Lecavalier will be a Flyers!
snooze you loose!
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