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Agent: Think Kobe, Peyton. Lightning: Think Joe.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 10, 2001
TAMPA -- Vinny Lecavalier wants to be part of the Lightning.
"I want to stay," he said. "I love Tampa. It's like my home. The people here are unbelievable."
But that doesn't mean forging a new contract with the 20-year-old captain, who could become a restricted free agent July 1, will be easy. What Tampa Bay is willing to offer and what Lecavalier's agent, Kent Hughes, wants seem to be far apart.
The Lightning is looking at the model set by 21-year-old Boston center Joe Thornton, who, like Lecavalier, was a No. 1 overall draft pick. Thornton just finished the first year of a three-year deal that pays him base salaries of $1.55-million, $1.75-million and $2.05-million.
Lecavalier's first contract as Tampa Bay's top pick in 1998 paid him a base salary of $975,000 the past three seasons.
Hughes mentioned the contracts of Lakers star Kobe Bryant and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning as reference points.
The agent doesn't expect the Lightning to match Bryant's six-year, $71-million deal or Manning's six-year, $45-million contract, and he acknowledged the economics of basketball and football are vastly different from hockey.
But Hughes does think the situations are similar.
"Vince is the cornerstone of the franchise," Hughes said. "I don't think anybody has tried to hide that. Look at the way (the Lakers and Colts) stepped up and said, "We recognize the importance of these players to the organization.' I hope (the Lightning) look at it that way and not like, "This is the market value.'
"Vince is unique today in terms of coming out of the entry-level system because he is the first person to come out of that system who is already a cornerstone and already the captain of his team. So you have to look at different sports to see players who have come out at that young age and in that significant of a situation."
Assistant general manager Jay Feaster said any contract will be heavy with team-based incentives. He reiterated the Lightning will match any offer sheet Lecavalier signs.
"There's no question it's in everybody's best interest to get it done now," Feaster said of a contract. "At the same time, it has to happen within the parameters of our budget. We have to get everybody signed."
1. MARIO WHO?: In front of 20,835, the largest crowd to watch a hockey game at the Ice Palace, the Lightning manhandled the Penguins 5-1 on March 17. Martin St. Louis scored twice and Kevin Weekes made 25 saves as Tampa Bay finished a 5-0-0-1 homestand.
2. THE BULIN WALL: In his first game for the Lightning, Nikolai Khabibulin made 32 saves, some while standing on his head, in a 4-2 victory over the Panthers on March 30 at the National Car Rental Center. "Welcome to the Khabibulin era down in Florida," Panthers forward Len Barrie said. Tampa Bay, which paid $14.75-million for the goalie, can only hope.
3. CLIPPED WINGS: The Lightning outshot the Red Wings 20-0 in the first period of what turned into a 3-0 victory Dec. 2 at the Ice Palace. Vinny Lecavalier scored twice. Dan Cloutier made 26 saves, and Mike Johnson had a career-high three assists.
4. COMEBACK KIDS: Mike Johnson forced overtime with a short-handed goal with 24.2 seconds left in regulation, and Craig Millar, a Lightning player for 10 days after being claimed off waivers, scored the winner in overtime as Tampa Bay beat the Islanders 4-3 on Nov. 3 at the Ice Palace.
5. THRASHED: Brad Richards scored twice as the Lightning set a team record for goals in an 8-2 whipping of Atlanta on Nov. 22 at the Ice Palace.
1. FIRST IS WORST: The Lightning scored three third-period goals, but Wild rookie Marian Gaborik scored twice in 90 seconds to spark expansion Minnesota to its first NHL victory, 6-5 on Oct. 18 at the Xcel Energy Center.
2. COLLAPSE: The Canucks scored three times in the final 2:55 to earn a 5-4 victory Oct. 8 at the Ice Palace. The Lightning had no business even being in the game. It was outshot 41-16 -- Dan Cloutier made 36 saves -- and at one point went 22:55 without putting a puck on net.
3. SMOOSHED: How bad was the Lightning's 7-2 loss to the Devils on Oct. 21 at Continental Airlines Arena? Forward Ryan Johnson said, "It was as embarrassing as it gets." Tampa Bay was outshot 44-15 and played so bad defensively, it was a wonder general manager Rick Dudley didn't fire the entire back line.
4. THE LAST STRAW: With coach Steve Ludzik's job on the line, the Lightning got thumped 8-3 by the Senators on Jan. 4 at the Corel Centre. Tampa Bay was outshot 44-22, Ottawa's Radek Bonk got his first career hat trick and linemate Marian Hossa had a franchise-record five assists.
5. WHAT WAS THAT?: The defending Stanley Cup champs came to the Ice Palace on March 27, and the Lightning decided not to forecheck, hit or execute basic coverages. New Jersey won 7-1. "They were a little intimidated," New Jersey's Alexander Mogilny said. Gee, you think?