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'Threat' irks Lecavalier's agent

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 28, 2001

TAMPA -- Now it is Kent Hughes' turn to speak out.

The agent for holdout center Vinny Lecavalier said Thursday he was disappointed by what he called "the implied threat" from Lightning president Ron Campbell that if a deal were not done by the start of the season, "negotiations start to go backwards."

"Vince will not be intimidated, if that was the intent," Hughes said. "If a deal is not done by the start of the season, it will not be for a lack of effort on our part or availability on our part."

Hughes and Tampa Bay's 21-year-old captain are scheduled to meet with general manager Rick Dudley early next week in Montreal.

Publicly, there has been little movement in negotiations. The Lightning's starting point was three years, $5.35-million. For Lecavalier: two years, $6.3-million.

Hughes said the Lightning caused "inexplicable delays."

"We initiated contact with Tampa Bay early in May because we felt it was important to start the process early given how increasingly difficult negotiations between teams and players have become," he said.

"We have waited over a month for responses to our written communications. We have waited about a month to set up this proposed meeting after we made clear early in September we were available to travel any time, anywhere because nothing was more important to Vince than getting a deal done with Tampa Bay."

It is expected at the meeting Dudley will present contract options of one to five years. Discussions will be about how aspects of the contracts can be mixed and matched. Hughes said he will be armed with proposals of his own.

"To this point, they have only proposed one term; that being the three-year deal," Hughes said. "And every proposal would represent a significant reduction in pay over what Vince averaged in his first contract."

Hughes said that is because Tampa Bay has not discussed bonuses and incentives, which in 1999-2000 added about $3.8-million to the $975,000 base salary Lecavalier made for his first three seasons in the league.

Campbell said Wednesday the Lightning had raised its original offer, though he declined to say by how much.

"Our discussions with Rick Dudley and (assistant general manager) Jay Feaster have been nothing but professional and courteous, which makes it even more troubling to read this implied threat that once the season begins, negotiations will go backwards," Hughes said.

"Despite my concerns about these comments, I hold out hope that next week's meeting will be productive. And to that end, we plan to bring several offers for their consideration, each of which will constitute a significant flexibility on our part."

Hughes said he wants the same from Tampa Bay.

"We have communicated to Tampa Bay a willingness to be flexible in order to facilitate a deal despite Vince's and our strong belief that we have a reasonable basis for our position," he said. "We have yet to be told whether Tampa Bay is willing on their end to be flexible as well."

WAIVER DRAFT: The draft will be at noon today. The Lightning had to expose just two minor-leaguers, defenseman Kyle Kos and goalie Dieter Kochan.

Dudley said it is "unlikely" he will pick.

WEEKES GETS START: Coach John Tortorella said Kevin Weekes will play the entire game tonight against the Panthers at the Ice Palace.

"It's always good to get one game in," said Weekes, the backup for Nikolai Khabibulin, who has played 150 of 180 preseason minutes. "I definitely need it to work on a few things."

FITNESS EXAM: Tortorella said he will cut back on conditioning next week to keep players fresh for the opener.

Weekes said the training has been beneficial, but wondered about pro athletes who must be reminded to get in condition.

"It's a little unfortunate we play in the NHL and the coaching staff has to stress that," he said.

CLOSED DOORS: Practices no longer are open to the public.

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