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GM denies rumors=kiss of death.

Olde political fact, once the denials start...it's on!!!

"If Vinny Lecavalier isn't here, it's because he doesn't want to be here," Lawton said.

Nice out for when Vinny gets traded.

Question: you get rid of him what do you have left? What is going on down there?

As a resident of Tampa it is definitely being blown up into something it isnt. The Lightning have been pretty good lately. Dont remember if they won yesterday but before that they were 4-1 in last 5.

Rhitman813....thanks for the info. When you only get one-sided tidbits it's hard to know the real story.

Hard to see Tampa wanting to get rid of Vinny any more than Atlanta wants to get rid of Kovalchuk. Both teams will finish near the bottom of the league this year and be able to collect some high draft picks, plus still have a "superstar" on their roster to build around and to help keep bringing fans through the gates. Vinny's going nowhere.

Hey T&R, how 'bout a Sundin update?

Montreal would be crazy to give up all that for L-Cav....Montreal should keep what they have and build with youth and prospects....

Montreal should not trade anyone for L-Cav. Keep what they have and build on prospects.

Crazyhorse, you can say that again!

Tampa is a mess. They need direction and re-focus after a disastrous albeit noisy offseason, where they seemed to sign every aged player to a lucrative deal. They traded their best defenseman for nothing and have rushed Stamkos into the league. These owners need to get some direcion and sanity back. They need to deal some assets to get their top-heavy payroll back in order. Shedding St.Louis would make more sense than moving their franchise player but Marty is a harder move because his production isn't near where it was when he signed his rich deal.

The Bolts can move Lecavalier and gain enough back to lay a solid foundation for the future. Moving guys like Malone, Halpern, St.Louis and Roberts to contenders could further the rebuilding process in Tampa. This is eventually going to be Stamkos team (unless his progress is damaged permanently, which as of now, I doubt) so surrounding him with young players and building for the future would be a great idea.

The only problem is this is not a traditional hockey market, so how long will fans be patient? Not a good spot to be in if I am Mr. Lawton.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 10:00 AM ET  01.14 by Spiny Norman

Olde political fact, once the denials start...it's on!!!

I agree with this 100%.

The Lightning have been doing very well infact. More then I could have imagined as a fan. I hate to say it but Vinny is not the best player on the team currently it is:

Mike Smith.

With one of the worst defenses in the league (in my opinion) he has managed to hold opposing scorers. However the offense at the beginning of the season did not do that well at all.

Vinny has been doing alright and has improved, Martin St. Louis has also been alright.

The surprising play is of Paul Ranger in the Defense who is the only significant improvement on the defense and Mezaros heart that is about it.

Vinny got Tampa Bay the Stanley Cup??? Look back to 2004 and who lead everybody and got all the hardware. It wasn't Vinny; it was St. Louis.l

Vinny got Tampa Bay the Stanley Cup? Look back to 2004. Who led Tampa Bay and collected all the hardware as a result? It wasn't Vinny. It was St. Louis.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 11:10 AM ET  01.15 by Kiddingright?

Vinny got Tampa Bay the Stanley Cup??? Look back to 2004 and who lead everybody and got all the hardware. It wasn't Vinny; it was St. Louis.l

Yeah thats the little known fact. However Vinny is more marketable because Women love his looks, and he plays well so thats who they market.

Yeah... and they denied that they would get rid of Brad Richards and Dan Boyle also. Where there's smoke, there's fire! Kiss the warm weather goodbye Vinny, you're coming back to Canada.

Vinny turned his back and the owners put the knife in.. He???s out!

How can you play for them after that? Ask that to Dan Boyle

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 01:21 PM ET  01.14 by Happy Phantom

Crazyhorse, you can say that again!

LOL....