Vincent Lecavalier's future with the Tampa Bay Lightning remains unclear just days before his 11-year, $85 million contract extension kicks in.
The franchise’s feuding owners met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Tuesday. For the time being, Len Barrie and Oren Koules each retain a 50-50 stake in the team’s day-to-day operations, meaning the other party must first obtain the other’s consent in order to sign off on a trade.
It has been well documented the two owners do not see eye-to-eye on which direction to take the franchise.
Koules would like to trade Lecavalier and shed salary, while Barrie wants to build the team around his superstar.
Lightning GM Brian Lawton was vague and non-committal when asked if Lecavalier was staying put.
"Enough has been said on Vinny. Nothing has changed. It's status quo," said Lawton.
Although the managing partners told Lecavalier he would not be dealt when he signed a contract extension last summer, a deal in principle to trade him had been reached with the Montreal Canadiens last January.
Canadiens' GM Bob Gainey accused Lawton of leaking the story to the press in hopes of getting a better deal.
Although the two general managers have had their differences of opinion, Lawton says the lines of communication are still open between the two teams should another trade arise.
