Lecavalier to ask for trade?

Al Strachan reported on this week’s CBC’s Satellite Hotstove that his sources in Florida are telling him forward Vincent Lecavalier will demand a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the off-season.

Word is that Lecavalier feels he has done enough for hockey in the Sunshine state, and would like to play the rest of his career in a bigger market. Not necessarily a contender, apparently, just a larger market.

Strachan listed Los Angeles, New York, and Montreal as just a few possible destinations.

It’s unclear if the Lightning will gibe in to his demands, however.

Lightning GM Jay Feaster isn’t too keen on moving Lecavalier, and neither is the current or incoming ownership of the club. It’s believed that Feaster would prefer to hang on to Lecavalier and deal forward Brad Richards instead.

With pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Dan Boyle asking for between $6-7 million per season on a new deal, the Lightning will have to move some salary to fit him under their budget and the salary cap.

Pierre LeBrun suggested that if Boyle re-signs at close to his asking price, or higher, the Lightning will look to shed payroll by dealing Richards. And that may just happen as Boyle is said to be very interested in remaining with the Lightning.

The problem with trading Richards is that he owns a no-trade clause in his contract, and would have to give his blessing to a deal.

If Strachan’s sources are correct, it should be an interesting summer in Tampa.