FanNation

These "lifetime deals don't usually (I know, there are always exceptions) work out too well in the long run. I think players get frustrated and stop careing...watch DiPietro start slipping this season, fed up with losing on Long Island.

BETTMAN S***S

Spiny Norman | 06/26/08, 09:33 AM

I agree, Spiny. What is this new trend of mega$$ decade-long deals started with Briere last year in Philly?
How can any sane GM believe a player will perform to a $8MIL a year standard for such a long period?
:-) Sorry, morning joke here in Phoenix, not usually the best ones...

cmh_phx | 06/26/08, 10:24 AM

When DP gets injured next season, I'm sure he won't mind that his lifetime contract is guaranteed.

Someone usually ends up losing in longterm contracts. The player may not pan out, and then if he does the salary isn't adjusted for inflation. (The US dollar sucks now and is only getting worse.)

But this is a gamble I'd be willing to take on Vinny LC.

OtherOne81 | 06/26/08, 10:39 AM

watch DiPietro start slipping this season, fed up with losing on Long Island.

Spiny Norman

He'll need to stay healthy for the whole season first. Didn't he end the last two years in a luxury box due to injury? But he does need some help from the guys in front of him no really scary offensive players on their roster.

As for Vinnie good to see he's getting paid but I think the deal was 2 yrs. too long. Unless he sees the same doctor Chelios does how good is he really going to be at 38 given that he's already been in the league for 7 years or so?

MaplePenguin | 06/26/08, 10:47 AM

Long term security vs short term gain.

Given that putzs like Hossa expect that sort of change to play now, why would it be a good thing for Vinnie to lock himself up for that long? Other than the fact he knows it's a damn good deal.

And $8 million a year in 6 years won't seem like so much then. My fear as an owner would be the dreaded re-negotiation tantrum. But I'd hope Vinnie would be honest enough to realize he did in fact trade short term gain for long term security.

Hank Kingsley | 06/26/08, 10:51 AM

I see the point being made about long term contracts but, let's not forget, Vinny Lecavalier is not Alexey Yashin or Alex Daigle. Those dogs played only for the money. This guy has a ton of pride. He is a stud!

DCruiser | 06/26/08, 11:09 AM

Yea if I were an owner I'd be worried about players wanting their contracts 'restructered' like they do in the NFL. Maybe they allow that because the money is not guaranteed and the world cannot live without the NFL, as opposed to the NHL, but who knows (I certainly don't).

OtherOne81 | 06/26/08, 11:21 AM

Vinny is a stud player. Tons of skill to go along with heart. He's in my top 5 player category. As long as he stays in shape,the GM wont be disappointed. I wonder if any of the Montreal fans are on suicide watch right now?

bostongm | 06/26/08, 11:26 AM

I see the point being made about long term contracts but, let's not forget, Vinny Lecavalier is not Alexey Yashin or Alex Daigle. Those dogs played only for the money. This guy has a ton of pride. He is a stud!

DCruiser

However much pride he has things can still go wrong. You see all the time how guys go from hero to villain in a very short space of time and however good VC is he's not going to be immune from that.
I don't know much, but this seems like a bloody good deal to me - one would hope that, even in eight years, $8.5 million isn't going to be loose change. I think he'll still be able to afford to pay his bills.

Oilers - NHI | 06/26/08, 11:31 AM

"I don't know much, but this seems like a bloody good deal to me"
Oilers4Ever | 06/26/08, 11:31 AM

---------------------------------------

I agree with you on both those points (just kidding!!) It will be a good deal.

DCruiser | 06/26/08, 11:53 AM

A very reasonable deal, this seems to be.

YODA | 06/26/08, 12:59 PM

<sarcasm> So, we're talking $213,750.00 per goal, or $104, 268.29 per game. Yeah, good deal </sarcasm>

sportsfan583 | 06/26/08, 01:02 PM

Its actually $203,571.43 per goal. He scored 42 goals last season.

bostongm | 06/26/08, 02:05 PM

Despite 42 goals, and almost 100 points, Vinny had a down season 2007-2008. The Lightning just sucked and he was also without his best defenseman, Dan Boyle much of the regular season. He'll score more next season.

This is a good deal. Lock him up now and take the risk--he is great. Next year his going rate will be more like 9 million.

OtherOne81 | 06/26/08, 03:23 PM

"<sarcasm> So, we're talking $213,750.00 per goal, or $104, 268.29 per game. Yeah, good deal </sarcasm>

sportsfan583 | 06/26/08, 01:02 PM
Report Offensive Comment "

Hey sportsfan, could you do the math look for Brad Richards? He's making 7.8 million a season /realism

OtherOne81 | 06/26/08, 03:26 PM

More money than Sidney Crosby? I don't think so. If #87 can take a "hometown discount", than so should Lecavalier. That much that late? The Lightning will end up buying out his contract. Haven't we learned anything from the Maple Leaf mess?

The Shamrock | 06/26/08, 10:44 PM

If the team is willing to pay that much for that long, why is it not good for Vinnie? He seems really happy there so, why not? If he wasn't happy, he wouldn't have signed for that length.
I know I would be hard pressed to turn down that kind of coin.

torque1 | 06/27/08, 09:34 AM