Is Vinny available and can Gainey make it work?

By
Rick Stephens
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5
72

Excerpt from TSN (Full Story):

There has been steady and consistent dialogue with general manager Bob Gainey and the Montreal Canadiens and it’s believed there may be a package discussed that could include as many as four NHLers including Christopher Higgins (no big surprise there, the Canadiens always seem to have Higgins in trade discussions), who was included in trade talk with Toronto last year to land Mats Sundin.
Tomas Plekanec’s name has been thrown out there, along with a prospect believed to be in the mix – perhaps PK Subban of the Belleville Bulls – and draft picks.

That sounds like and extraordinary amount, and that’s not saying that a deal will get done, but there is steady dialogue between the Canadiens and Lightning.

TSN: Video: Vin-Sent

TSN: Making A Move?

TSN: NHL : Habs At The Half

Habster:

As infatuated as most Canadiens fans are with the prospects of getting a Vincent Lecavalier into a Habs sweater, there still begs the question that needs to be answered: What would it take to get Lecavalier out of Tampa?

If it takes a package of Higgins, Plekanec, any blue chip prospect not named Subban, Pacioretty or McDonagh plus a first and/or second round pick in 2009/2010, then Gainey should pull the trigger.

As much as I would hate losing two solid roster players like Plekanec and Higgins, their presence in the lineup hasn’t been as relevant to the team success thus far this season.
During Higgins absence with a shoulder injury, the Canadiens are 9-1-1 while Tomas Plekanec’s play has picked up since the Christmas break (GP-8 G-3 A-4), but his overall play has dropped off with the Habs having a six point improve over the same span as last year.

Acquiring the home grown and extremely talented Lecavalier isn’t without its concerns, especially from a financial, long term perspective.

Having a $85 million salary cap commitment on books for the next 10-11 years is a definite concern. Gainey will have room to accommodate Vinnie’s salary though it will be at the expense of Gainey not signing some of his UFAs plus limiting longer term plans.

For argument’s sake and hypothetically speaking, let’s assume Gainey doesn’t re-sign Kovalev, Lang, Tanguay, Brisebois, Dandenault and Begin after the season. That frees up approximately $18 million plus another $3.3 million if Plekanec and Higgins are sent to Tampa.

A grand total of +/- $21.3 million to sign Komisarek, Koivu, Kostopoulos, Bouillon (yes, if the price is right!) and absorb Lecavalier’s salary. A tough squeeze but certainly possible to get done.

Rocket:

Before we start lowering the #4 from the rafters of the Bell Centre so that it can be worn by the ‘next coming of Beliveau’, let’s add a dose of reality to the conversation.

TSN’s Dreger reports that there has been “steady and consistent dialogue” between the Canadiens and the Lightning and that the expectations of the Tampa brass are “extraordinarily high” with respect to the asking price for Lecavalier.

Dreger believes that it will take up to 4 NHL’ers, a prospect and draft picks to complete the deal. The names he mentioned are Higgins, Plekanec, Pacioretty and Subban. Wow…that is an ‘extraordinary’ asking price!

If the Canadiens have to part with a prospect, I would rather it be Subban. While PK is a better interviewee, McDonagh is the better hockey player.

Plekanec is the most under-rated Canadien next to Koivu. He is good at both ends of the ice. His lack of point production has more to do with his wingers as Plek’s effort has never waivered.

It is odd to me that Higgins, a guy who is passionate about the Canadiens would be part of a trade for someone like Lecavalier who has said he prefers the money, weather and anonymity in Florida.

The price tag in terms of dollars and talent that would be required to get Lecav is enormous. If Pacioretty and this year’s first pick were sent to Tampa Bay as is being rumoured, the Canadiens would be without a first round draft choice for 3 consecutive years (2007, 2008, 2009). Moves like that eventually bankrupt the team’s talent base.

In dollar terms, Lecavalier’s contract is a huge financial burden. While Habster was able to juggle the arithmetic to shoe-horn Lecav’s salary into the cap for next year, it has to be remembered that the Canadiens GM has to do that for a decade to make it work. Lecavalier has a contract for 11 years at $85 million. Do the Canadiens really want to handcuff their team so much just for one guy who is, at best, lukewarm about playing here.

And if it is decided that the Canadiens are willing to give up 4 players + prospects + draft picks to sign one impact player, is Lecavalier the best choice? In my opinion, it would be Rick Nash. Hell, if you want to ship a boat load of players to bring in a superstar, why not aim for Tavares? (tongue-in cheek. just trying to make a point!) Or what about Kovalchuk? I’m sure he could be had for a lot less.

I simply think that some realism and some perspective is needed before people get whipped into a frenzy expecting the Canadiens to do something that could really be talked about as one of the most lopsided trades in league history.

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5 COMMENTS

  1. Hey guys. I enjoyed both your analysys of the situation and (are you sitting) I’ll side with Rocket on that one.

    If Vincent Lecavalier is really available for trade, it will cost much, much more than what Bob Gainey will be comfortable to trade. Four NHL players out of the lineup would be hurting the depth too much and if there is one thing we saw from Bob, it’s that he likes having depth. And this year it served him well.

    And in regards to Habster calculations, there are flawed. Yes, if you get rid of Kovalev, Lang, Tanguay, Plekanec, Higgins, Brisebois, Dandenault and Begin you may be able to fit the salaries of Bouillon, Kostopoulos, Koivu, Komisarek and Vinny but you lost 8 regular players from your lineup and added Lecavalier. There are holes to fill and with the descending salary cap I’m not sure it will be possible.

    Besides, outside of Jacques Demers, every single coach he had complained about his lack of effort and/or leadership. Every coach blamed the best players on this team for not carrying the load. He may be as talented as the best but I’m not sure he really is the savior we would like him to be.

    And last but not least his offensive production isn’t good enough to make me wish we would jeopardize the future of the team. Yes, he managed 92 and 108 points in the past two seasons but those were the only times he had more than 80. This year, his 36 points put him barely 4 over Lang and Kovalev. Career wise he has a point per game average of .84 while Kovalev is .82… He is talented, but does it really mean he is worth losing 4 to 8 players in trade and free agency?

  2. Hey Guys,

    First off, my calculations were for debate and were, as stated, just “argument’s sake and hypothetically”……don’t take them so seriously…..LOL!!

    I also never said I would agree to a deal which involves the trading of two first round picks plus and Subban/McDonagh/Pacioretty.

    I would consider trading Higgins and Plekanec as part of a package.

    I believe Lecavalier would more than replace Plek while D’Agostini or Pacioretty could be a very suitable replacement for Higgins.

    The latest rumored deal of Gorges, Plekanec, Higgins, Subban and two first round picks is absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable if there is any truth to it, which I find hard to believe.

    Gainey has always been very cautious about making deals that will compromise the team’s long term success. This rumored deal is exactly what Gainey won’t agree to regardless how much pressure the media and fans exert on him.

  3. I also forgot to mention that Lecavalier’s huge contract would make it very difficult for Gainey to sign Carey Price to a long term even as a RFA in 2010.

    Food for thought!!

  4. Habster, that is exactly my point. Adding Lecav isn’t just about fitting him under the cap for one year. It is an 11 year contract with a no-trade clause. It would restrict what Gainey could do with Price, etc.

    BB, welcome to the dark side!! Nice to have you onboard! :) Your stats and comments about leadership help support the case that Lecavalier is not worth the price.

  5. Habster, you said that “The latest rumored deal of Gorges, Plekanec, Higgins, Subban and two first round picks is absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable.” I agree completely and it furthers my point about the loss of first round draft picks.

    But McKenzie said that package is rumoured to have be proposed by the Canadiens. McKenzie then said “But, the Bolts want more.” So, how much more outrageous can it get? This is a deal to back away from, quickly!

Comments are closed.