How would you like a $7.37 million cap hit on a 39-year old?
Maybe now he can afford some cordless controllers
Not unlike Terrell Owens, Vinny Lecavalier has 85 million reasons to love Tampa. The Bolts have signed the franchise center, admittedly one of the best players alive, to a front-loaded 11-year deal that will pay him an average of $7.37 million a year and also features a no movement clause.
“It feels really nice,” said Lecavalier, who will meet with season-ticket holders and fans Tuesday. “I started my career here, and we had a few rough years, then we win the Stanley Cup to being in last place last year. But I truly believe we have a bright future and I’m excited to be a part of it. I love Tampa, I’ve always said that.”
That deal looks fantastic right now. Less than $7.4 million for Lecavalier, who’s scored 200 points over the last two seasons, is a steal. But he’s 28 years old, and that no movement clause means Tampa will be saddled with that contract when he’s up into his late 30s.
It’s strange, people jumped all over Garth Snow for signing Rick DiPietro for 15 years, and rightfully so, but there’s not a ton of outrage over this insane Lecavalier contract. At least goalies traditionally hold up in some fashion into their late 30s, as opposed to power forwards, and at least DiPi’s cap hit is only $3.5 million per.
This might be the worst contract of the New NHL, and no one’s talking about it. They will be in six years when Vinny starts slowing down and still has five years of movement-free checks to cash.
With this new ownership group, it’s really no surprise that I’ve used the tags “Tampa Bay Lightning” and “Insane signings” together more than once.
