Ex-Lightning Captain Reveals That He Was Traded to the Leafs Only for the Deal to be Voided
Photo credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Former Lightning Captain Vincent Lecavalier reveals that he was traded to the Maple Leafs ahead of the 2001 deadline, only for the deal to be nixed at the last minute.
Vincent Lecavalier, a 2004 Stanley Cup Champion, has been enjoying life since retiring from the NHL in 2016, while still collecting more than a million dollars per season from the Lightning until 2027 as part of his 2013 buyout.
Before winning a cup with the LIghtning, however, the now 44-year-old almost became a member of the Maple Leafs ahead of the 2001 trade deadline. The deal would have seen the Leafs send back a package that included Nik Antropov, Jonas Hoglund and Tomas Kaberle.
On Monday's edition of TLN's Leafs Morning Take, Lecavalier revealed that the deal was done - aside from the usual conference call with the league, before then Lightning President Ron Campbell nixed the deal.
"That deal was done. I got a call... I was in my pre-game nap, and they called me. 'It's done, you're going to Toronto'. It was in the works for a couple of weeks... Half an hour later they call me back and go 'no go'. I guess the President heard about it, fired Rick Dudley, the GM and was like 'you're not making a trade like that unless you talk to me.' Just as quick as I thought I was traded, I wasn't.
At that time, in '01, I was kind of happy (to be traded), the Lightning wasn't there yet, it wasn't the market it is today and I grew up watching Montreal - Toronto and that was going to be unreal."
At that time, in '01, I was kind of happy (to be traded), the Lightning wasn't there yet, it wasn't the market it is today and I grew up watching Montreal - Toronto and that was going to be unreal."
When the news had initially broke years ago, many were shocked the Lightning even thought about dealing their franchise player at the time, but according to reports, the deal was almost done out of necessity due to the rift between John Tortorella and Lecavalier.
Unlike his time with the Flyers Tortorella and Lecavalier were ultimately able to settle their differences - or at least respect each other enough to help guide the Lightning to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history a few years later.
The trade would have carried huge ramifications for both the Leafs and Lightning that may have prevented both clubs from becoming the teams they have become, and may have resulted in one less Stanley Cup for the Lightning, and perhaps one more for the Leafs.
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AVRIL 14 | 3478 ANSWERS Ex-Lightning Captain Reveals That He Was Traded to the Leafs Only for the Deal to be Voided Who do you think would have won the Lecavalier trade between the Leafs and Lightning in 2001? | ||
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