Lightning centre Vincent Lecavalier has compiled 273 goals and 602 points in 710 NHL games. (Adrian Wyld/Associated Press)Vincent Lecavalier has watched the Tampa Bay Lightning's new ownership group raid the NHL free-agent market and now it's his turn to cash in.
The Lightning announced Sunday they have signed the superstar centre to an 11-year contract extension worth $85 million US.
"I'm proud and honoured to be committing myself … 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."
The deal begins in the 2009-10 season and will pay Lecavalier a reported $10 million in salary and bonuses for the first six seasons of the deal, then $8.5-million in 2016-2017, $4-million in 2017-2018, $1.5-million in 2018-2019 and $1-million and 2019-2020.
"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," Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said Sunday in a team statement.
"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."
Lecavalier, 28, is due $7.167 million next season in the final year of a four-year, $27.5-million pact he signed on Aug. 16, 2005.
"In other markets, I'm sure he could get more money," Koules said last month. "But he wants to be here."
Lecavalier, drafted first overall by the Lightning in 1998, led the team with 40 goals and 92 points last season.
"From a coach's point of view, this guy is the franchise," first-year Lightning coach Barry Melrose told reporters during a recent conference call. "He is going to be a Tampa Bay Lightning probably until he retires."
Koules and Barrie will join Lecavalier at a news conference Tuesday that will be followed by an autograph signing for season ticket holders and a town hall meeting featuring the owners, Lecavalier and Melrose.
Lecavalier, from Ile-Bizard, Que., has compiled 273 goals and 602 points in 710 NHL games.
He won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's top goal scorer with 52 in 2006-07, and he was the recipient of the King Clancy Trophy for humanitarian and leadership efforts at this year's NHL awards.
The Lightning finished last in the 30-team NHL with a 31-42-9 record, even with Lecavalier and former league MVP Martin St. Louis in the fold.
But the current roster hardly resembles the group that failed to make the playoffs in April.
The makeover includes forwards Ryan Malone, Vaclav Prospal, Gary Roberts and Matt Carle by trade and free-agent signings Mark Recchi, Adam Hall, Radim Vrbata, Andrew Hutchinson and goaltender Olaf Kolzig.
With files from the Canadian Press
