if we trade vinny, i’ll never watch another Lightning game again.

Posted by josh from tampa on 01/12/09 at 11:22 AM ET

His cap hit isn’t terrible, but the only types of teams that would be able to make that deal are those that need to start over and trade quality for quality.

Only thing that makes any sense off the top of my head is Spezza for Lecavalier, gives both players a change of scenery, similar cap numbers, etc. But the Lightning would have to get something else in return to make it worth their while, Vinny is clearly the better player at this stage and has more postseason experience and leadership ability. Probably would take a first rounder and maybe another quality NHL roster player or NHL-ready player.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 01/12/09 at 11:29 AM ET

would you trade for one of the top 5 players in the league?  A lot of teams would.  The only problem is the cost in players.  If he were a free agent, his contract wouldn’t be a hindrance, but when you throw in what you would have to give up to get him, then you are left with a few holes, and are probably worse for the wear.  Consider a team like Anaheim. 

Maybe they trade Bobby Ryan, Chris Kunitz, Brendan Morrison and picks, but would that really make them that much better.  For Tampa’s purposes, the trade is really for Bobby Ryan to pair with Stamkos.  How many other teams can make a trade like that?  Maybe the Rangers can trade Sanguinetti, Anisimov, Rosival or Drury, Dawes, and Dan Fritsche.  But that would be a horrible trade for the Lightning.  Quite frankly, I doubt the cost of Vinny would be easy to deal with in this situation. 

To make a long story short, it would take desperation for a team to consider acquiring Lecavalier, and I doubt most teams would be able to make it work.

Posted by bsalamon on 01/12/09 at 12:29 PM ET

I agree, bsalamon. I just think that for a trade with Vinny to happen, it would have to involve another top player—I don’t think trading a bunch of young parts would do it, both for practical hockey reasons and salary/cost reasons.

Tampa’s going to need more than “potential” back in return for a player like Vinny. The team on the other side is going to have to make the salary match, and for the most part, prospects, picks, and younger players have such low salaries (or no salaries) that you couldn’t find enough of them in any organization to add up and match the dollars.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 01/12/09 at 01:10 PM ET