Latest News Reports

TBO.com > Sports

From Center Ice - Erik Erlendsson

Lawton: “We Are Not” Trying To Trade Lecavalier


Since I’ve basically been playing Mr. Mom since returning from Anaheim on Sunday, our Joe Henderson spoke to Brian Lawton today about the trade rumors that have dropped from the North of the Border like an avalanche regarding Vinny Lecavalier.

Here’s an excerpt, but you can read the rest on the link below:

Brian Lawton has a simple message for you. I’ll let him tell you directly.

“Are we trying to trade Vinny Lecavalier? No we are not. Is the Tampa Bay Lightning going out of business? No it isn’t.”

Lawton is the general manager of the Lightning, who are the subject of much speculation these days. The rumor that Lecavalier could be dealt to the Montreal Canadiens for a package of players and draft picks is a runaway train. That’s an outgrowth of another rumor, specifically that the Bolts’ new owners are in grave financial difficulty.

There is no credible evidence to suggest the new owners are in that kind of financial predicament, by the way. No threat of missed payrolls, no obvious cutbacks. They didn’t take a Greyhound to Phoenix to start their current West Coast road trip.


Lawton: “We’re not trying to trade Vinny’‘

Send Us Your Comments

Posted by  Ken Knaebel, wondering on 01/14  at  02:58 PM

OK hockey shredded their credibility early on with comments made by Kuba as he left and the Boyle shenanigans. It’s gonna take more than a simple comment by Lawton to get anyone to believe them anymore. On the bright side, if they do as they say, and not trade Lecavalier, it will improve their credibility some.

I guess I don’t expect them to make a deal where they would get a fair trade. They botched the Boyle trade and I suspect they would do the same if they traded Lecavalier.


Posted by  Wes Walz, Maryland on 01/14  at  01:09 PM

Remember how we would never trade Boyle and he was a Bolt for life?  Not saying that will happen with Lecavalier, but we have seen these sorts of comments from management turn out to be lies in the past.


Posted by  Katya, Tampa, FL on 01/14  at  11:28 AM

OK would be complete nuts to get rid of Vinny….unless they think their new franchise player is Marty? grin lol


Posted by  kubinanut13, Lakeland, FL on 01/14  at  10:17 AM

So Lawton says “we are not TRYING to trade Vinny” - well I’m not TRYING to wreck my car either, but it could happen…. Now if he said “We ARE NOT trading Vinny” I’d feel better.  I’d hate to see Vinny go! We need some leadership in this locker room! We need to keep the strong ones and with Vinny being a franchise player HE NEEDS TO STAY IN TAMPA BAY!


Posted by  Geografer, Spokane, WA on 01/14  at  12:53 AM

To quote Judge Judy - I wouldn’t believe you if your tongue came notarized. I seem to recall them assuring the fans and Boyle that they were not shopping him and then the next day threatened with waivers if he didn’t waive. These owners have proven that they have no issue lying to the face of their players or their fans. They will totally lose this city if they do that (and maybe that is the plan as can you really believe the “we have no plans to move” comments now). As the San Jose announcers said tonight - you trade Lecavalier and you can basically back up the moving van to the forum.


Posted by  b, st.pete on 01/13  at  10:14 PM

better fu*#ing not be.


Posted by  dale, fl on 01/13  at  06:42 PM

The Boyle trade still burns my rear, if they trade V4 I’ll never buy another Bolt ticket as long as OK own the team.  NHL hockey in Tampa will disappear if they deal him.

V4 looked like a guy who just lost his best mates last night, guy couldn’t even smile after scoring.


Posted by  Nancy Pacini, Brandon on 01/13  at  05:57 PM

Sorry -

‘the other two’


Posted by  Nancy Pacini, Brandon on 01/13  at  05:56 PM

Vinny does not have a no trade clause coming, he has a no movement clause.  Different situation altogether.  Can’t waive him, can’t demote him, can’t trade him.  The only weapon they have is to sit him in the pressbox, and if they do that without cause, you can bet the NHLPA will be all over it like white on rice.  Once the NMC kicks in, Vinny (and us) will be safe from this BS.  Finally.

The difference in this situation and the Boyle/Richards scenarios, is that OK hockey actually WANTED to sign VL4, they had no interest in the other to from the get go.


Posted by  Thunderstruck, Lakeland, FL on 01/13  at  05:24 PM

A no trade clause kicking in means hardly anything, just ask Dan Boyle.  If OK Hockey or their rookie GM’s lips are moving then I wouldn’t believe a thing.  They have a lot of rebuilding to do alright…..on their credibility!


Posted by  BOLTS RULE !!!!, tampa on 01/13  at  05:14 PM

Interesting read, other places are saying about as much, the lightning are listening to offers, but not thinking of moving Vinny, unless someone offers, the entire world. Montreal would not rip out their three best forwards to get Vinny, and that is about what it would take, to get him. But Vinny is happy here in the bay, at least when he is not playing hockey he can be a normal person, in Montreal, he would be hounded worse than the hollywood paparrazi on movie stars. Soon it will be over and the no movement clause will be in effect, then all can stop worrying.


Posted by  Bolt Fan, S. Pasadena, FL on 01/13  at  04:43 PM

If they traded Vinny, I hope that they enjoy an empty house.  The only tickets they would sell would be to the out of towners.  That would be totally unexcusable.


Posted by  Nancy Pacini, Brandon on 01/13  at  04:10 PM

THANK you, Erik!  Perhaps this will put these ridiculous rumors to rest, although the Montreal press will continue to dream about this until #4 is raised to the rafters of the SPTF.

Now for the important stuff - Who is scratched tonight, and who is still hurt?  Smitty in goal?  Nabokov or Boucher?


Page 1 of 1 pages

Advertisement

Send Us Your Comments
Terms & Conditions

* Comments Must Include Full Name And Location


Login | Register

Please Register or Login to post comments.



Get Weekly Deals | Write a letter to the editor | Subscribe and get two weeks free | Place an Ad

Site Tools

Headlines:

On Twitter:



About Erik:

Erik Erlendsson covers the Tampa Bay Lightning for The Tampa Tribune.


Bolts Forum:
Lightning Links:
NHL Links:


ADVERTISEMENT

Advertise With Us:
Online | In Print | Broadcast