Faceoff Factor

Lecavalier Becomes a Lightning for Life, Take Two

Michael Farkas | Transactions & Rumors

Jul 12, 05:54 PM | Hype this story!

As previously reported, Tampa Bay Lightning superstar center Vincent Lecavalier was inked to a nine-year, $77 million extension a few weeks ago. Apparently, that deal never came to fruition despite it seeming to be a, proverbial, done deal.

Instead, the Lightning, who haven’t been shy about spending money on forwards, have locked up Lecavalier to a reported 11-year, $85 million deal (cap hit: $7,727,273).

The mammoth deal is the biggest contract ever given to a Québécois in the history of the NHL according to RDS.

The contract, according to reports, winds all the way down to $1 million in the final year of the deal, which will be in 2020. The deal, subject to league approval, is believed to be structured in this fashion:

Years 1-7: $10 million per year
Year 8: $8 million
Year 9: $4.5 million
Year 10: $1.5 million
Year 11: $1 million

Editorial: Just correcting a previous point, after re-evaluation the league’s “100-percent rule” this contract looks to check out just fine. For the contract to be void, the contract would have to drop $5 million at any one point (50% of years 1 and 2). It drops only $3.5 million and $3 million in years 8 to 9 and 9 to 10, respectively. Barring any further confusion on my part, this seems to be perfectly legal.

Lecavalier, 28, scored 40 goals and 92 points last season as he completed the third year of a four-year, $27.5 million contract. Lecavalier will count against the salary cap to the tune of $6,875,000 during the 08-09 season before the extension kicks it.

Lecavalier was selected first overall in 1998 and holds franchise records for games played (710), goals (273) and points (602).

A press conference is expected to be held Tuesday to announce the news.