Lecavalier near lifetime deal with Lightning

Jun 20, 2008 - 1:47 AM MONTREAL (Ticker) -- Vincent Lecavalier apparently is fond of Florida.

According to a report by RDS.ca on Thursday, Lecavalier is closing in on a new contract that will keep him with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the remainder of his career.

Drafted first overall in 1998, Lecavalier has one year remaining on his current four-year, $27.5 million contract. The 28-year-old native of Quebec will make $7.167 million in 2008-09.

Lecavalier, who is Tampa Bay's all-time leader in goals (273), points (602) and games (710), has made progress in discussions with the team regarding the "life-long" contract, which he likely would sign after July 1, RDS.ca reported.

A three-time All-Star, Lecavalier helped the Lightning to the Stanley Cup championship in 2004. He won the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal-scorer with 52 in 2006-07 and claimed the King Clancy Trophy last week at the NHL Awards Show.

Lecavalier, who represented Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics, registered team highs of 40 goals and 92 points last season.