- Randy Miller of NJ.com: The Flyers were close to trading Vincent Lecavalier last summer, once to the Panthers in June and to the Predators twice in July according to source. Source saying that ownership of the Panthers and Predators called off the deals.
“I think there are enough people in hockey circles that know that the deal was awfully close with Nashville,” Kent Hughes, Lecavalier’s agent, told NJ Advance Media in a phone interview. “I can’t comment on specifics. Unfortunately, it didn’t materialize for reasons other than personnel.”
Lecavalier has three years left on his deal, and his agent suggests he could retire early if traded.
“The situation hasn’t met either side’s expectations in Philadelphia,” Hughes said. “If Vinny wants the opportunity to end a fantastic career on a good note, it’s not going to happen so long as Craig Berube is head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. I’m sure if Vinny found a good environment … an opportunity to go to a new team and end on a good note, I wouldn’t be surprised if he retired before finishing the term of his deal.”
Lecavalier’s salary decreases to $4.5 million next year and $3 million for the last two.
He was almost traded to the Panthers at last year’s draft with Brayden Schenn and a 2014 and 2015 first round picks for the No. 1 overall pick. Panthers owner Vincent Viola called off the trade as he didn’t want to give up the first overall pick. Elliotte Friedman has reported at the Flyers called off the trade as the Panthers wanted lottery protection on the Flyers 2015 pick.
Source saying that Predators chairman Tom Cigarran called off both trades with the Flyers. Talk is they may not have forgiven the Flyers for the offer sheet to Shea Weber. The deal would have involved multiple players and would have given the Flyers meaningful cap space.
“Put it this way, if it was any team other than the Flyers, the deal probably has a better chance of getting done,” a source said.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: With a smile on his face, Jaromir Jagr.
“I still think I have at least seven years left in my body, to be honest with you,” the 43-year-old winger said Thursday after the Florida Panthers’ morning skate at Air Canada Centre.
“I still feel like I can play the game and I love the game,” Jagr said. “It’s the most important thing. As long as I stay healthy, I feel like I can still produce and help anybody.”
The Panthers have really been impressed with Jagr on and off the ice, and it’s believed there might be a mutual interest to re-sign him if the numbers work.
- Jim Matheson: The Oilers still haven’t signed 2013 2nd round pick Marco Roy, and Matheson wonders if he’ll go back in the draft.
- Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1040 on the Blackhawks, Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa.
“Oh, Sharp will be gone. Sharp’s gone. Sharp is gone for sure.
“I think they’ll be able to keep Hossa around. But I think Bickell is probably at some point is likely to be gone. Versteeg is likely to be gone.
“And as I said, a lot of these kids that you just mentioned that are playing in Rockford are going to get opportunities.