Lightning C Lecavalier signs 11-year deal

Jul 13, 2008 - 9:06 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Vincent Lecavalier will be a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning for quite a long time.

Lecavalier signed an 11-year contract extension with the Lightning on Sunday, keeping him with the team through the 2019-20 season.

Terms were not disclosed, but TSN of Canada reported that the contract extension is worth $85 million. The deal is two years longer than the one for $77 million to which Lecavalier reportedly agreed last month.

"I'm proud and honored to be committing myself to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the rest of my NHL career," Lecavalier said. "It's no secret how I feel about the organization, the fans and the Tampa Bay community, and there's no place else I'd rather be. Combine that with the enthusiasm and commitment to winning that has been shown by owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie, and signing this long-term deal was an easy decision."

According to the report, the 28-year-old Lecavalier will make $10 million per season over the first six years under the terms of the new deal, which goes into effect in 2009-10. His salary will dip over the duration of the deal, going from $8.5 million in 2016-17 all the way down to $1 million in the final campaign, in order to protect the Lightning from salary cap restrictions and the potential retirement of the center.

"Not only is Vincent one of the most dynamic players in the NHL, he's one of the classiest people you'll ever meet off the ice as well," Tampa Bay vice president Brian Lawton said. "With this deal our ownership has made it clear that he is the cornerstone of the Lightning, and Vincent has shown his dedication to the franchise and the Tampa Bay area by signing for less than he undoubtedly would've received on the open market. This is a great day for all Lightning fans."

Selected first overall in the 1998 draft, Lecavalier has one year left on his current four-year, $27.5 million contract. The three-time All-Star would have been eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July 2009.

Lecavalier helped lead the Lightning to their only Stanley Cup championship in 2004. He holds the franchise record for points (602), goals (273) and games played (710).

This past season, Lecavalier registered 40 goals and 92 points, ranking seventh in the league in scoring. He underwent shoulder surgery in mid-April but is expected to be ready for training camp in September.