OHL Hockey News

Ever since Vincent Lecavalier rose to superstardom helping the Tampa Bay Lightning win the 2004 Stanley Cup fans of the Montreal Canadiens – and a few pundits and bloggers – have dreamed of the possibility of his one day suiting up for the Habs.

The speculation never died, even when Lecavalier, a native?of?the Montreal borough of Ile Bizard,?last summer signed a monstrous 11-year, $80 million-plus contract extension with the Lightning, seemingly ensuring he would finish his career in Tampa Bay.

But the Lightning’s new ownership are rumored struggling financially and speculation has flown for months they’d consider moving Lecavalier before his contract, with it’s “no movement” clause, kicks in on July 1st.

The rumors of Lecavalier coming to Montreal reached a fever pitch this past January when it was reported the Canadiens and Lightning were in talks over a potential trade with Lecavalier as the centerpiece.

Those talks eventually fell through with Canadiens GM Bob Gainey later having some harsh words for Lightning GM Brian Lawton, accusing him of publicly publishing a list of Canadiens players – which included Chris Higgins, Tomas Plekanec and Jose Gorges – the Lighting were apparently interested in.

Lawton both denied Gainey’s accusations as well as the reports Lecavalier was on the block.

Speculation has persisted however since the Lightning were eliminated from playoff contention seveal weeks ago they could still consider shopping Lecavalier, with the Canadiens, LA Kings and NY Rangers cited as potential destinations.

Any thoughts however that Lecavalier might be dealt to the Habs this summer were seemingly crushed this past week during Gainey’s conference with the Montreal media a day after his Canadiens were swept from the playoffs by the Boston Bruins.

When asked for the reasons why the Canadiens centennial season ended so badly among the reason Gainey gave was the distraction created by the Lecavalier trade rumors and once again voiced his displeasure with Lawton for leaking the names of Higgins, Plekanec and Gorges.

Lawton again vigorously denied Gainey’s accusation, but it seems painfully obvious that any dream of Lecavalier being dealt to Montreal were killed once and for all by Gainey’s harsh words.

Evidently there’s bad blood between Gainey and Lawton, and it’s only common sense to believe that as long as Gainey remains the Habs general manager he won’t be having any dealings with Lawton and the? Lightning.

That could change if as some believe Gainey could be relieved of his duties but judging by his statements during his season-ending press conference that doesn’t seem likely.

Now a few folks in the media and blogosphere still believe a?”Lecavalier-to-Montreal” trade could still happen. Some point to recent comments made by Canadiens GM Pierre Boivon that the club lacks a French-Canadien superstar as justification that the club could still pursue Lecavalier regardless of the brewing feud between Gainey and Lawton.

Lecavalier could insist on only going to Montreal,?the?Lightning owners could bypass their GM to talk to Gainey directly, Gainey and/or Lawton could be replaced, blah blah blah.

Let’s put it this way: something is going to have to radically change in order to bring about a Lecavalier trade.

Anything is possible but based on Gainey’s recent comments it seems clear to me the dream of Vincent Lecavalier suiting up for the Montreal Canadiens is dead.

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