Why Vincent Lecavalier won’t be traded this season

From Spectors at Fox

Yep, it’s back, another round of speculation suggesting Vincent Lecavalier might be playing his final season with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Much of it centers around Lecavalier’s apparent unhappiness this season adversely affecting his performance. It’s been suggested he no longer trusts the Lightning front office, and with Steven Stamkos emerging as a star the Bolts might no longer need Lecavalier as they once did as their offensive leader and franchise player.

All of this is merely speculation, possibly stirred up by columnists looking for something to write about given the lack of trade activity at this point in the NHL season.

Whether or not you choose to believe the speculation there are three significant factors preventing Lecavalier from being dealt this season; his “no-movement” clause, his expensive contract, and the NHL salary cap.

It’s widely believed last season Lecavalier was close to being dealt but a disagreement between the club’s owners prevented such a move. Regardless, it was easier to move him last season as he didn’t have a movement clause.

Sure, his whopping 11-year, $70 million-plus contract with a movement clause would start this season but Lecavalier was a hot commodity last season and the Bolts ownership could have moved him without his permission to any club they wished.

Full story here