Bolts strike quick with Lecavalier
Someone please enlighten me: Given the way salaries are going, why did we blow up an entire season for a lockout just three short springs ago? TSN is reporting that the Lightning is wrapping up a nine-year, $77 million deal with Vinny Lecavalier, who was entering the final season of his four-year, $27.5 million pact.
Tom Golisano & Co. are probably cursing new Tampa Bay owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie while trying to figure out what to do with the likes of Ryan Miller and Jason Pominville, but you've got to admit it's been a splashy start for the new kids on the NHL block.
In less than a week, Tampa has drafted Steve Stamkos and apparently has Lecavalier wrapped up a year before he hits unrestricted free agency. As for hiring Barry Melrose as head coach, we'll see. He did take the Kings to the Cup finals. In 1993. A lot has changed since then.
---Mike Harrington
something's bound to happen shortly after 12 noon on July 1st. most of this stuff is just speculation until then.I don't think Darcy will comment on anything if reporters call him before noon on the 1st.
Posted by: jan | June 26, 2008 at 02:40 PM
I agree, why was there a lockout?
Let's not get carried away though and start comparing Lacavalier to Pominville or Miller. (Don't get to angry Sabres fans - Pommer is probobly my favorite Sabre right now) Lacavalier is in a VERY small group of elite players.
I think that both sides are taking a risk considering the way the cap keeps rising - who knows, this could end up being a deal!! At the same time, Lacavalier could return from shoulder surgery and be a bust.
It just goes to show you that we should have just signed the contracts for Drury, Briere AND Campbell -- if the players played to the ability that they have and remain healthy then they are great trade material down the road and there will be takers.
My whole philosophy has changed with regards to the "special" players -- sign them, get some use out of them and then do not be afraid to use them as assets down the road in the trade market.
Sorry Max, you do not qualify to be in that catagory.
Posted by: rock | June 25, 2008 at 08:14 PM
What was the lockout about?
Silly me, I thought it was all about getting a direct link from revenues in the game to max player salaries and the team by team cap.
If the Sabres have a problem, it's that revenues in their market haven't risen as quickly as those in other markets.
So, rather than complain, they need to grow revenues to keep pace.
The new CBA is modeled after the NFL where some guys get a ton and a lot get a little.
Ask Nolan Pratt if salaries have gotten crazy........
Posted by: James | June 25, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Tim: You're ridiculous. They're not going to print every little rumor, especially since most bloggers' rumors are WRONG. There's a reason they just won all these awards. Let them do their job. The fact is that I think it's been a quiet time for the most part. The Orpik thing is probably starting to heat up and I'm sure we'll read about it in the coming days. I'm not going to get all crazy about the qualifier for Clarke Mac. come on.
Posted by: Tom-Tonawanda | June 25, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Tim, if you're a reporter, why don't you contact the agents and get the story?
The Buffalo News coverage has been just fine, thank you.
Posted by: Bob | June 25, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Tim, where do you work? I'm going to come bother you about how you do your job, even though I know nothing about it.
Posted by: Out of towner | June 25, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Mike I know, I'm speaking on behalf of the impatient message board at LetsGoSabres.com. I know what it takes as I am a reporter for the Bee Newspapers myself (we met unofficially the last two Sabres games of the home schedule this year). I just wanted you to know it's kinda weird not seeing anything in the paper especially after last year with 23 and 48.
Enjoy the Pittsburgh game
Posted by: Tim | June 25, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Lighten up Tim. Just giving you a little bonus while I'm in Pittsburgh with the Yankees. http://buffalonews.typepad.com/insidepitch/
John will have full coverage of the RFAs and development camp and we'll have full work on the UFA week as well. As for phone calls, you obviously forgot about last July. Where was everyone getting their information instantly and most complete on 23 and 48? In the paper and in the blog. Making the assumption that no stories in the paper mean no work is going on is woefully faulty. You don't pick up a phone an hour before the story is done. It's days ahead.
Posted by: Mike Harrington | June 25, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Hey Mike, how about writing a blog telling us who the Sabres are qualifying, which today was the deadline for. Or how about getting John to do that, since he's the beat. How about finding out whether any of our RFAs are going to take the qualifying offer, instead of not reporting on any of this stuff until AFTER the Sabres make it public. Can't you guys make phone calls or anything?
Posted by: Tim | June 25, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Second-best player in the league behind Ovechkin. I'd rather have that deal than Vanek's!
Posted by: Out of towner | June 25, 2008 at 03:20 PM