The Lightning points leader "made the decision he's going to pursue his options," agent Rich Winter says.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published July 1, 2003
Left wing Vinny Prospal won't officially become an unrestricted free agent until later this week or early next week, when agent Rich Winter said he will file the papers.
But that is just a technicality.
The Lightning's points leader will test the market this summer, as he and the team could not come to an agreement Monday on a new contract. The free-agency period began at midnight.
"Vinny made the decision he's going to pursue his options," Winter said. "That doesn't close the door on Tampa. We're going to keep the dialogue open."
"If the situation happens and I have to go play somewhere else, it's reality," Prospal said from his native Czech Republic. "I'll take it as a business."
Tampa Bay has offered Prospal $2.5-million a season in a five-year deal. It is believed Prospal wants $3.5-million. Over the life of the contract, that is a $5-million difference.
General manager Jay Feaster said, "The club has made what it feels is a significant offer."
Said Winter: "That the Lightning made him a contract offer for five years, Vinny is pleased they have that much faith in his character. On the other hand, he was hopeful the numbers would be along the lines of what we evaluated in the market."
Who will drive the market? League scuttlebutt says the Red Wings and Rangers could be interested. Detroit will have a huge hole to fill if superstar Sergei Fedorov is lost to free agency. The Lightning will have a huge hole to fill if it loses Prospal.
Feaster has done well attempting to engineer a soft landing by trading for 20-goal scorer Cory Stillman and signing Finnish star Eero Somervuori. But Prospal not only supplied points (he had a career-best 79 on 22 goals, 57 assists), his enthusiasm was contagious.
He led the team with 17 game-winning points (four goals, 13 assists) and was third in the league with 37 even-strength assists. And there is no denying the effect he had on center Vinny Lecavalier, who had a career-high 33 goals.
"This Vinny Prospal situation is a very dangerous situation for our hockey club," coach John Tortorella said. "He not only put up big numbers, but his numbers were from big plays. There were no soft numbers there. It took us three years to find a wing to play with the other Vinny, and that is an important part of our hockey club."
Most players must wait until age 31 to become unrestricted. Prospal is getting the chance at 28 because of the Group V provision of the collective-bargaining agreement, which gives the option to 10-year pros (NHL and minor leagues) who make less than the league average salary. Prospal made $1.55-million last season. The league average was $1.79-million.
Prospal could still re-sign with the Lightning. The impasse is a result of dueling market evaluations. So the market will be the arbiter.
"We just have to watch and see who's right," Winter said. "Our perception that there are other offers out there may not materialize, in which case we're taking a risk. If, in fact, they do, Jay's taking the risk."
Winter said he believes his client is making "a prudent decision to pursue (free agency). ... This is a unique experience that doesn't come to many people, and certainly doesn't come to many people who lead their team in scoring at this age."
Winter said he will give the Lightning a chance to match any offers, "and Jay said he won't be spending the money he's committed to Vinny without talking to us first."
Feaster, who was general manager of AHL Hershey in 1993 when Prospal joined the team, said it will be a conversation between friends.
"I've known Vinny Prospal since he was 18 years old," Fester said. "I like Vinny Prospal the person and Vinny Prospal the player. That we have made him a five-year offer shows that respect. ... I don't want to lose him, but I'm not prepared to write a blank check."
