Confirmed with Link: Wings out of the bidding for Lecavalier, according to Khan (post #743)

[The Zetterberg Era]

You guys saying that Montreal isn't where Vinny will go if he wants to win a Cup confuse me.

You are aware that they were the #2 seed in the East and have the reigning Norris Trophy Winner on their squad right? We're a 7th seed with the guy who finished 2nd for the Selke?

I mean okay, Ottawa made them look stupid but I'm not sure it's automatic that Vinny's going to think they're no-hopers. They could tweak (say by adding a guy like, Vinny perhaps?) and contend.

I mean not that any of this matters because all that really matters is what Vinny and his agent think; but it seems really weird to me to say "we've got the Cup run edge" when they finished 2nd in the conference.

Montreal isn't very good though certainly not where their seed indicated, and what are the chances a vet like Vinny wants to go to that locker room and be the circus. He would be huge for the Habs because he would ease some of the burden on Subban and Price. But chances are he respects guys like Hank and Pavel a heck of a lot more. The allure of going home is big here, but the Wings have an interesting pitch for Vinny and a track record with vets and not chewing up their players protecting them from the media. Something he has probably grown to like a great deal in Detroit. They also have a history of letting veteran guys stay behind on trips, make travel exceptions and things of that nature something guys around the league would know.

If the pitch is done right, they could absolutely offer things he sees as better than Montreal. He might or might not see it that way.

 

[KJoe88]

I'm rrrrreally not sold on that Montreal team, like you might have guessed. I think they have a lot of middling talent that won't take them far in the playoffs. I'm a Carey Price fan, but I wonder if he's going to get run out of town by their crazy media. I also think it's ridiculous that Subban won the Norris.

So, in all, not sold. Regular season performance, especially in the East, means almost nothing. I guess we'll see for ourselves pretty soon, though.

Not to mention that Montreal started to really stumble at the end of the season. If it was a full season I bet we would've finished higher than 7th and Montreal would've dropped drastically in the east.

Just my view.

 

[SportsballChic]

Not to mention that Montreal started to really stumble at the end of the season. If it was a full season I bet we would've finished higher than 7th and Montreal would've dropped drastically in the east.

Just my view.

I had us as the #4 or 5 team in the West in an 82 game season personally, so I'm not gonna disagree with the first part

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

On a side note, I cannot wait for if Vinny signs here how Holland had nothing but luck to do with that process. Also, while he could help pitch it, it will be Holland's sell job and I will laugh at the posts that I am sure are coming about Stevie Y really being the one that sold him on Detroit.

 

[Brick Top]

Montreal isn't very good though certainly not where their seed indicated, and what are the chances a vet like Vinny wants to go to that locker room and be the circus. He would be huge for the Habs because he would ease some of the burden on Subban and Price. But chances are he respects guys like Hank and Pavel a heck of a lot more. The allure of going home is big here, but the Wings have an interesting pitch for Vinny and a track record with vets and not chewing up their players protecting them from the media. Something he has probably grown to like a great deal in Detroit. They also have a history of letting veteran guys stay behind on trips, make travel exceptions and things of that nature something guys around the league would know.

If the pitch is done right, they could absolutely offer things he sees as better than Montreal. He might or might not see it that way.

I'm sure he's aware of the kid-gloves treatment he'd get from the Detroit media vs the insanity of Montreal. You'd think that would be a draw for any player considering Detroit against markets like Montreal, Toronto, Boston, NY, etc.

But the dude would be an absolute conquering hero if he returned home to Montreal and led them to a Cup. That's gotta be an incredible draw to a guy who grew up just outside of that city. He'd basically achieve Stevie Y's status in Detroit after just a season or 2 in Montreal if they somehow won a Cup.

I think Montreal is going to find a way to make this signing happen.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

I'm sure he's aware of the kid-gloves treatment he'd get from the Detroit media vs the insanity of Montreal. You'd think that would be a draw for any player considering Detroit against markets like Montreal, Toronto, Boston, NY, etc.

But the dude would be an absolute conquering hero if he returned home to Montreal and led them to a Cup. That's gotta be an incredible draw to a guy who grew up just outside of that city. He'd basically achieve Stevie Y's status in Detroit after just a season or 2 in Montreal if they somehow won a Cup.

I think Montreal is going to find a way to make this signing happen.

Another aspect to it, though, is that Bergevin doesn't seem to be sold on all of the "collect all the quebecois!" fervor that the media and fans whip themselves into. If Bergevin doesn't think that Lecavalier at 5.5-6 mil for 4-5 years is the right move in a purely hockey sense, I don't think he does it.

And frankly, I don't think there's such a buzz if he's a kid named John Smith who just happens to be from Quebec.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

This is from an article on the Habs/Lecavalier situation:

The temptation to make a play for his former teammate in Tampa would have to be enormous, even if it seems to go against Bergevin's philosophy.

Only a week ago, Bergevin said he was leery of using free agency for anything but acquiring role players to fill gaps in the roster, as he did last summer with Brandon Prust and Colby Armstrong.

"To me, free agency is a tool, but it's not a way to make your team a top team," he said. "It's overplayed. You have to be really careful with free agency."

There's also a bit of a cap space question:

Next: that the Habs, who have about $9 million under the cap for 2013-14 to fill three roster spots, are interested in giving any kind of term or dollars to a 33-year-old player, even one of Lecavalier’s evident ability.

and also questions of fit/depth:

Fourth: that the Habs are close enough to contending that Lecavalier would pick them over a rival outfit. Will Lecavalier demand to play top-line minutes? If so, it would require a re-think in Habs-land, where Tomas Plekanec and David Desharnais are entrenched, for better or for worse, and Lars Eller seems prepared to take the next step (assuming he fully recovers from Eric Gryba’s calamitous hit in the playoffs).

Fifth: the Habs’ most pressing needs are on the wing, and it seems unlikely that Lecavalier would have much interest in switching positions, or that he’d even be a good fit there (ditto for the centres currently on the team, although Desharnais has occasionally been pressed into service, as has Eller). Signing Lecavalier would thus compromise the acquisition of a scoring winger either via trade or free agency. To do so would require moving a salary, and while Plekanec would surely interest teams (more than Gionta, say), he has a no-trade clause.

All in all, it doesn't seem so much that Lecavalier is in demand because he brings what Montreal needs. It seems like Lecavalier is in demand because he's french.

 

[Brick Top]

Another aspect to it, though, is that Bergevin doesn't seem to be sold on all of the "collect all the quebecois!" fervor that the media and fans whip themselves into. If Bergevin doesn't think that Lecavalier at 5.5-6 mil for 4-5 years is the right move in a purely hockey sense, I don't think he does it.

And frankly, I don't think there's such a buzz if he's a kid named John Smith who just happens to be from Quebec.

Yeah, but I took French in high school, and am pretty sure that Lecavalier is the French translation for Smith. Granted, that was 20 or so years ago, so my memory may be a bit hazy on that one...

I don't think it's a lock that Montreal pursues him heavily and he signs there, but my guess is it goes that way. I don't know that Vinny would want to play for the Sens, but just imagine if they threw a big offer his way, the Habs don't go after him, and he's visiting Montreal in an Ottawa jersey for a few seasons. Don't think the GM wants that level of hatred directed at him from his fans. Not saying all GM decisions are or should be made on the basis of fan support, but in that market with that player and that rivalry, I could see it giving Montreal the added incentive to sign him.

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

I think Holland will ultimately low ball him or something. My confidence in him getting it done is very low. However, if he does acquire Vinny, even if it's an overpayment. I will be downright floored. I'm pulling for Vinny to come here, he's one of my favorites, but I've genuinely lost confidence in Holland's ability to do anything notable in free agency or via trades at this point.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I'm sure he's aware of the kid-gloves treatment he'd get from the Detroit media vs the insanity of Montreal. You'd think that would be a draw for any player considering Detroit against markets like Montreal, Toronto, Boston, NY, etc.

But the dude would be an absolute conquering hero if he returned home to Montreal and led them to a Cup. That's gotta be an incredible draw to a guy who grew up just outside of that city. He'd basically achieve Stevie Y's status in Detroit after just a season or 2 in Montreal if they somehow won a Cup.

I think Montreal is going to find a way to make this signing happen.

Vinny eats breakfast at the same place everyday in Tampa, he is a pretty simple guy really. Sure we all look at the prospect of hometown conquering hero, but if Vinny delivers a cup in any market (He appears to mostly be looking at true hockey markets anyway) he is going to be treated well. Maybe not at the same level, but there would also be no expectation on him moving forward. Is Detroit going to bother Vinny about showing up for games all the time the same way Montreal would after that win, when he just wants to live on the beach?

One of the other big aspects of this, is after his last series of flirtations with Montreal in trade rumors, he since moved his parents to the Tampa Bay area full-time. At least I remember reading that, sure they could all do the Montreal thing. Like I said I believe like everyone else that has a huge lure for him, but that is where it comes down to understanding the player and making the pitch.

I am really curious to see what kind of term length he is looking for. One of the things that makes Detroit interesting here is I don't think they will care and let him choose. If he wants a short one to return to Tampa they will be fine, he can select. They can offer him a push with Datsyuk and the return to Tampa in a short time frame, with people completely understanding the break.

Going to Montreal and then leaving Montreal if they still want you, might not be something the hometown boy wants to experience either.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

I think Holland will ultimately low ball him or something. My confidence in him getting it done is very low. However, if he does acquire Vinny, even if it's an overpayment. I will be downright floored. I'm pulling for Vinny to come here, he's one of my favorites, but I've genuinely lost confidence in Holland's ability to do anything notable in free agency or via trades at this point.

Well, this should be an exciting week coming up. No-trade Holland has claimed to be making some trades! and then we've got the draft, and then after that we've got free agency. Large parts of the team will be determined in this coming week.

Holland has a lot of opportunity here to either screw things up or make things right. Will he? Tune in to see, I suppose. Worst case scenario, we'll have a LOT of things to complain about...

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

The other thing about compliance buyouts if I understand this right is the Wings can now contact Vinny. So this isn't a wait and see option like classic Free Agents, he is one right now, they can get some of the parameters of what he wants down. Make promises to the agent.

It is said 15 teams have contacted Briere's agent, so these guys move a little differently than classic free agents. It is very possible the Wings know something almost immediately in terms of this and enter the draft with knowledge of that behind closed doors.

 

[SportsballChic]

The other thing about compliance buyouts if I understand this right is the Wings can now contact Vinny. So this isn't a wait and see option like classic Free Agents, he is one right now, they can get some of the parameters of what he wants down. Make promises to the agent.

It is said 15 teams have contacted Briere's agent, so these guys move a little differently than classic free agents. It is very possible the Wings know something almost immediately in terms of this and enter the draft with knowledge of that behind closed doors.

This. Which is why I keep hitting refresh on ESPN every 15 seconds. Gonna be a LOOONG week

 

[JmanWingsFan]

Well, this should be an exciting week coming up. No-trade Holland has claimed to be making some trades! and then we've got the draft, and then after that we've got free agency. Large parts of the team will be determined in this coming week.

Holland has a lot of opportunity here to either screw things up or make things right. Will he? Tune in to see, I suppose. Worst case scenario, we'll have a LOT of things to complain about...

Speaking of the draft... What time does it start?

 

[mindfly]

Speaking of the draft... What time does it start?

TV-coverage starts at 2:30PM EST

 

[1st Line Interloper]

Weiss and Vinny are available. No excuse for the Red Wings to not make a move here for the #2 spot in the rotation. The only acceptable thing to do besides sign them would be to move Franzen to center and sign a top 6 winger.

 

[KJoe88]

The other thing about compliance buyouts if I understand this right is the Wings can now contact Vinny. So this isn't a wait and see option like classic Free Agents, he is one right now, they can get some of the parameters of what he wants down. Make promises to the agent.

It is said 15 teams have contacted Briere's agent, so these guys move a little differently than classic free agents. It is very possible the Wings know something almost immediately in terms of this and enter the draft with knowledge of that behind closed doors.

Interesting. Did not know this.

Yes, this could be an exciting week or just an upsetting one. Trying not to get my hopes up, but it would be sweet to have him here.

If Kenny really does mean he's trying to trade guys and maybe use buyouts he could acquire him IF Vinny wants to play in Detroit.

 

[Vladdy84]

This. Which is why I keep hitting refresh on ESPN every 15 seconds. Gonna be a LOOONG week

Doc Rivers walking and chewing bubble gum at the same time is much more important than any big free agent signing in the NHL when it comes to ESPN.

 

[TKB]

Vinny eats breakfast at the same place everyday in Tampa, he is a pretty simple guy really. Sure we all look at the prospect of hometown conquering hero, but if Vinny delivers a cup in any market (He appears to mostly be looking at true hockey markets anyway) he is going to be treated well. Maybe not at the same level, but there would also be no expectation on him moving forward. Is Detroit going to bother Vinny about showing up for games all the time the same way Montreal would after that win, when he just wants to live on the beach?

One of the other big aspects of this, is after his last series of flirtations with Montreal in trade rumors, he since moved his parents to the Tampa Bay area full-time. At least I remember reading that, sure they could all do the Montreal thing. Like I said I believe like everyone else that has a huge lure for him, but that is where it comes down to understanding the player and making the pitch.

I am really curious to see what kind of term length he is looking for. One of the things that makes Detroit interesting here is I don't think they will care and let him choose. If he wants a short one to return to Tampa they will be fine, he can select. They can offer him a push with Datsyuk and the return to Tampa in a short time frame, with people completely understanding the break.

Going to Montreal and then leaving Montreal if they still want you, might not be something the hometown boy wants to experience either.

I am sure I saw earlier on Twitter that he wanted a contract that got him to retirement. Can't find it at the moment will post if I can come up with it. Should also add I don't recall there was a mention of when he would like to retire.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I am sure I saw earlier on Twitter that he wanted a contract that got him to retirement. Can't find it at the moment will post if I can come up with it. Should also add I don't recall there was a mention of when he would like to retire.

He has long maintained he is a Tampa guy now. That he bought his house, moved his parents to the Tampa area and donated a wing in the hospital down there because that will always be his home. Have read that several times, he also will almost certainly get some role in that organization and his jersey will go up when he retires from the league, none of that changed today.

 

[KJoe88]

I am sure I saw earlier on Twitter that he wanted a contract that got him to retirement. Can't find it at the moment will post if I can come up with it. Should also add I don't recall there was a mention of when he would like to retire.

He's 33, right? Idk, 5-6 years is a bit much. If we signed him for 3 years that would be ideal.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Interesting. Did not know this.

Yes, this could be an exciting week or just an upsetting one. Trying not to get my hopes up, but it would be sweet to have him here.

If Kenny really does mean he's trying to trade guys and maybe use buyouts he could acquire him IF Vinny wants to play in Detroit.

Well you cannot be charged with tampering if no team holds their rights, so it is pretty simple why they fall outside of the scope of your normal free agent.

 

[1st Line Interloper]

He has long maintained he is a Tampa guy now. That he bought his house, moved his parents to the Tampa area and donated a wing in the hospital down there because that will always be his home. Have read that several times, he also will almost certainly get some role in that organization and his jersey will go up when he retires from the league, none of that changed today.

That might give him incentive to stay in the division as well. That really gives no advantage over the other teams that I think will be offering big money to Lecavalier (Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa).

He's been there for 15 years now, I'm not surprised that he was so invested in the community, he was the "franchise player" prior to the Lightning getting Stamkos.

 

[rrasco]

Sorry, it appears the Tigers play in Tampa tomorrow and that's why RBIII is headed there.

 

[cupforwings09]

The other thing about compliance buyouts if I understand this right is the Wings can now contact Vinny. So this isn't a wait and see option like classic Free Agents, he is one right now, they can get some of the parameters of what he wants down. Make promises to the agent.

It is said 15 teams have contacted Briere's agent, so these guys move a little differently than classic free agents. It is very possible the Wings know something almost immediately in terms of this and enter the draft with knowledge of that behind closed doors.

NOOOOOO, why did you tel me this! I am trying to study for the CPA exam, and now I have to worry about the Wings pursuing VINNY now?!