The Montreal Canadiens have been toted as the front runner for Vincent Lecavalier's services, despite the fact that Lightning management has denied they are shopping their recently resigned (for huge dollars) franchise player because of the economic downturn. I don't believe this to be the case - as noted in my previous post - and I think there are actually several other squads that can offer more to Tampa Bay than the Habs.
In reality, relieving the strangely run Bolts of their finanicial burden should be enough, but in this day in age of "win now to get rumps in the seats", they look to make a killing if they move their star player and -if they're smart - set themselves up for the future.
The three suitors I have listed offer the Lightning three options: get better right now, get better in a couple seasons, or get better down the road in 3-4 seasons (as well as saving a ton of cash!)
The main reason I think Vinny will be wearing this shade of blue in a few weeks? Brian Burke. With every team he's ever GM'ed for, Burke has put his stamp on the club not long after he's arrived. Just look at how he brought the Sedin twins to Vancouver and how he traded off half the Ducks (Federov, Salei etc.) after he arrived. Lee Stempniak doesn't exactly qualify here guys.
Also, they have over six million in cap space right now and with the players they would trade to make the deal happen they would easily be able to fit Lecavalier in - even when the cap drops in 09-10.
Next, the Leafs are a faceless franchise since Sundin left. The most valuble franchise in the NHL needs to have someone who embodies the team and is someone who instantly comes to mind when the grammatically backward "Maple Leafs" is said.
Finally, the beauty of the Leafs is what they can offer the Lightning pretty much anyone they would like in their organization. This team is going to face a major turnover in the next nine months, and pretty everyone is on the block- even the guys with no-trade clauses.
The T.O. media pressure wouldn't be in Vinny's favour here, but he would learn to live with it like Sundin did.
What it would take: D Tomas Kaberle, D Luke Schenn, F Nic Antropov, F Matt Stajan, 1st Round Pick 2009, 2nd round pick 2010
The Oilers haven't had a bona-fide superstar since Mark Messier. Ryan Smyth was the sweetheart of the City of Champions for a while but never scored more than 70 points. They've missed on several big name free agents in recent years (Hossa said no to $80 million) but have done a respectable job building themselves through the draft and minor signings and trades. But for a team that once had Gretzky and company, it's heartbreaking to see them clod along with a relative bunch of nobodys (sorry grease fans, Hemsky ain't no superstar).
Tampa could look to get a lots of prospects from the Oil in return for Vinny, most of who aren't that far away from the NHL and get the defensive help the Bolts so desperately need.
What it would take: D Sheldon Souray, D Ladislav Smid, F Erik Cole, F Robert Nilson, F Robbie Schremp, 1st rounder 2009.
You might call this a bit of a dark horse, but I think Vinny may fit here- assuming he could get used to the cold weather. The Wild have never had an elite player other than the constantly injured Marian Gaborik and this could be the time for Doug Risebrough to jump in. Gaborik will undoubtedly either be traded or leave via free agency this summer and the Wild will need someone to become the cornerstone of their offense. Couple that with defense-first coach Jacques Lemaire leaving after the season and you have a real possibilty for a deal here. Like the Oilers, the Wild - who sell out their barn nearly every night - need a face for their franchise.
The Wild can offer the Lightning something the other two suitors can`t- and that is real salary relief. With the other teams sending so much salary the other way, the Wild could potentially take care of Lecavlier`s salary while sending some good players and prospects to Tampa with low price tags.
Whats it would take (at the very least): F Mikko Koivu, F Corey Locke, D Brent Burns, D Kurtis Foster, 1st round pick 2009, 1st round pick 2010.
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