Lightning C Lecavalier shoots down trade rumors

Jan 13, 2009 - 10:21 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Vincent Lecavalier shot down rumors that the floundering Tampa Bay Lightning are contemplating trading him to the Montreal Canadiens.

With the Lightning already 11 points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, such rumors have been circulating for weeks.

As a Montreal native, Lecavalier can understand the rumors, but the Tampa Bay captain said they are simply not true.

"I am from there," he told La Presse, Montreal's French newspaper. "My family is from there. My friends as well. I grew up with the Canadiens.

"I understand there are a lot of rumors presently. But they are rumors. I have heard them throughout my career. I like playing in Tampa. I am a loyal person."

The 28-year-old Lecavalier has spent his entire 10-year in Tampa Bay, which includes winning a Stanley Cup in 2004.

Lightning general manager Brian Lawton also responded to the rumors, telling the St. Petersburg Times that they are "completely inaccurate."

"It's false, egregious and it's abusive toward the player," Lawton said. "I can tell you if a player of that stature were ever going to be traded, I would go to meet with him, face to face, and discuss the situation. That has never happened."

After numerous offseason trades, the Lightning were expected to contend for a playoff spot this season. However, coach Barry Melrose was fired just 16 games into the campaign following a 5-7-4 start.

According to the rumors, the Lightning would sent Lecavalier to the Canadiens for a package of players and draft picks.

With Tampa Bay likely pointing toward the future, Lawton did tell the St. Petersburg Times that no players are untouchable.

"And that has nothing to do with Vincent Lecavalier," Lawton said. "That has to do with the status of any team I'm managing. It has to do with our macro goal of being committed to winning, being committed to giving our fans a winner.

"No player supersedes the goals of any team I'm working on."