TAMPA, Fla. — OK, so the numbers being tossed about concerning the contract extension offer the Tampa Bay Lightning were offering superstar Vincent Lecavalier were a little off. That is if you consider two years and $8 million dollars a little.
Late Saturday night, the Lightning came to a final agreement with the All-Star center, keeping him in the bay area with an 11-year extension worth some $85 million dollars over the life of the deal. Barring a deal or being put on waivers, either of which Lecavalier would have to approve thanks to a “no move” clause, Lecavalier will remain a member of the Tampa Bay family through the 2019-2020 season when he turns 40 years old.
An official announcement is expected to be made Tuesday at the St. Pete Times Forum just hours ahead of a scheduled open town hall meeting
Photo courtesy of nhl.com
“I’ve been through a lot of great years in Tampa,” Lecavalier told the St. Petersburg Times. “It’s really special to be on the same team and the same organization. I’m really proud to be a part of this.”
Lecavalier, 28, is entering the final year of a four year deal worth $27.4 million dollars. Starting with the 2009-2010 season, the new contract will reportedly pay him $10 million dollars in salary and bonuses for each of the first six seasons and then gradually taper down to $1 million in the final season. Based on the average salary over the length of the deal, the cap hit will be approximately $7.7 million each year.
New owner Koules was ecstatic about the agreement.
“It’s a huge day for the organization and this ownership group. We’ve locked up a Hall of Fame player and the face of the franchise,” he said. “This has been something we talked about and there has never been any hesitation on either side. It has been the easiest negotiation for both sides. This is an organization that absolutely wanted Vinny to be here forever.”
The new ownership gave Lecavalier plenty of reasons to resign, drafting Steven Stamkos with the first selection in the recent NHL Entry Draft and then diving head first into the free agent signing period, bringing in the likes of Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts, Olaf Kolzig and others.
“It’s a big part of it (signings). I really believe in them and in the two weeks since July 1, there have been a lot of changes for the better,” Lecavalier said. “I truly believe with all these new acquisitions and our young defense that’s getting more experience and Smitty (Mike Smith) and Kolzig in net, it’s definitely exciting.”
Selected number one overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Lecavalier immediately became an important part of the Lightning’s on-ice and off-ice plans. Over time, Lecavalier’s talents have become an important part of the team’s success. He holds the franchise records for most games played (710), points scored (602), goals scored (273) and game-winning goals (41). In 2006-2007, the entire league learned just how talented a goal scorer Lecavalier is when he led the league with 52 tallies. Last season, he netted another 40, making him the first Bolts player to record back-to-back 40-goal seasons.
Just as importantly, Lecavalier has become one of the team’s leading spokespeople in the community, never passing up charity work, especially if it is for the children of the Tampa area.
“Vinny Lecavalier is a tremendous hockey player but more importantly a tremendous person,” Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. “That’s the kind of guy we’re looking to move forward with in this organization for a long time.”
According to Kent Hughes, Lecavalier’s agent, there was no discussion about going elsewhere to play.
“He (Lecavalier) wanted to stay in Tampa Bay,” Hughes said. “He wanted to start and finish his career in Tampa Bay and play in a community that has become home for him.”
Contact the author at don.money@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.