A Day Off, Let’s Monger Some Rumors
December 2nd, 2007, 11:56 am
As Grier has said before, Eklund is a nice source of entertainment (no link purposely). He’s right some of the time, but a lot of times he seems to be talking out of his ass. But hey, it’s Sunday! What else are we going to talk about?
So I’m going through my usual hockey blog list, click on the latest Eklund, and see a story on the new ownership group falling through in Tampa Bay… then this:
So does that mean that Vinny LeCavalier, perhaps the best player in the world, could be gone?
…
I talked to another source who told me something that I also believe. “Of course every team out there would cherish Vinny, but a there are a few that would massively overpay for him. Two are of course Montreal and Toronto, but don’t count out Philly, Pittsburgh, San Jose, or LA.”
Of course there’s a firestorm of comments with various trade proposals. One from an Sharks fan that offered Marleau, Carle, Bernier (or Cheech) and a 1st round for Vinny.
For one, It would actually be pretty difficult to “massively overpay” for Vinny if you just offer young players and/or prospects. Outside of Crosby, Kane, Toews, Phaneuf, and AO, it’s more or less a crapshoot. Anybody outside of that group that isn’t an established NHL player yet is a roll of the dice. Some with pretty damn good odds (Sam Gagner) and some not as good (Gilbert Brule).
The trade the Sharks fan offered above doesn’t make a whole lot of sense from the ‘Ning’s standpoint- they would be taking on some big contracts, and the whole point of the trade would be to reduce salary.
So to the Lightning I say: You want young talent? How about this deal: Bernier, Pavelski, Ehrhoff, Greiss or Patzold (your choice) and a 2nd rounder.
I’m trying to hide the fact that such a big trade doesn’t make a whole lot of sense from the Sharks’ perspective either- ownership doesn’t appear to want to gain salary, and we would be adding yet another high-priced center. Unless Patty becomes a winger (and I’m not convinced that’s a good idea) the Sharks would be idiotically deep at the pivot position, and still troubled at the wing.
That being said, Vinny is the clear-cut leader in the Hart trophy race right now. Who among us wouldn’t want to see him in teal?
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There is no way the Sharks get this deal done without names like Carle, Vlasic, Marleau and Michalek being thrown around. As much as I would like it, you can’t offer all our spare parts and turn them into the best player in the league this year.
To Tampa Bay: Marleau, Carle, Bernier and Pavelski.
To San Jose: Vinny L, Gratton and Denis
This helps the Lightning rebuild with young talent that are locked up and gives us a new leader and a new face of the franchise. I think any team that wants Vinny will be forced to take Denis. This would also mean Doug Wilson would resign Ehrhoff right away.
Michalek-Thornton-Setoguchi
Cheechoo-Vinny L. – Mitchell
Greir-Roenick-Gratton
Rizz-Brown-Davison
Rivet-Vlasic-McLaren-Ehrhoff-Murray-Ozo
P.S. This isn’t going to happen, but it’s fun to talk about it.
You’re right about it not happening, but you’re proposing an almost even salary swap.
It’s amusing how the Vinny rumours won’t die. He’s not going to leave Tampa – ever.
He’s publicly said as much, and his actions ($3.5mil for a hospital wing to be named after him) back that up.
I’d be interested in these rumours only if he didn’t have movement clauses in his contract.
From The Toronto Sun via Fan Nation: “That has meant center Vincent Lecavalier’s name has resurfaced because he doesn’t have a no-movement clause.”
Interested yet? 🙂
Is this purely a salary dump or a change to rebuild their franchise by getting four young impact players? I could see this happening if a “name” came back in return. My deal nets then three impact forwards and a potential All Star defensemen.
Yes. This ain’t happening. But then again…Boston did trade Joe for basically nothing….
Trading arguably the best player in the league makes no sense at all unless they are dumping salary. I hate to laud the wisdom of Barry Melrose, but he’s been on record saying the team that gets the best player in a trade got the better end of the trade. Not always true, but close enough in this case. The conjecture is that Feaster needs to cut costs, and wants to get as much value as possible in the exchange.
So – according to your model we would offer something like Setoguchi, Torrey Mitchell, Matt Carle, Greiss and Lucas Kaspar for Vinny L and Denis.
Five young players for a superstar and dead weight back up. Your thoughts…keeping in mind of course, this is pure fiction…..
Sounds like an awful lot to me, but I bet that’s what Feaster would want. Take Seto out of the group and it seems more reasonable. Keep in mind Vinny’s only got one year left on his deal after this season. That’s a hell of a lot of future to mortgage for the present.
Seto is exactly who they would want. He is our best young player and the type of talent they would demand in return.