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Lecavalier Deal Getting Final Touches Applied

Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

Vinny Lecavalier's contract extension could be finalized in the next few days.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 11, 2008

TAMPA - When word circulated June 25 that Lightning center Vinny Lecavalier was on the verge of signing a nine-year contract extension, the salary figures tossed around suggested the deal would be worth a total of $77 million.

But Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said those reports were presumptuous.

"The numbers are not as advertised," Lawton said Thursday. "We are putting the final touches on it. Everything you have read and all that's been reported in the media, they are all false. We'll announce it all next week."

Lecavalier's deal is expected to be announced Tuesday during a day-long event at the St. Pete Times Forum that will be capped off with a town hall meeting involving owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie, Coach Barry Melrose and Lecavalier.

"It's exciting. We still have little things to take care of but things are looking very good," Lecavalier said.

BLUE-LINE SPECIAL: Even with all the moves that have taken place and the upheaval experienced on the roster, Lawton said the team is not done.

The biggest area of concern is the talented but inexperienced defensemen. Of the team's top seven or eight defensemen, only Filip Kuba has more than three years of experience at the NHL level.

Were the season to open tomorrow, Lawton said he would not be satisfied with what they have, and he suggested the trade route might be the most effective way to bring in some experience.

"We have some nice depth and some nice pieces I'm very happy about, but I still don't think we're there yet. We still have some work to do," he said.

STAFF CHANGES: While Jay Feaster still holds the title as Lightning general manager, that situation should be resolved in the near future.

Lawton, who is the vice president of hockey operations but has been the acting general manager since his hiring June 25, said he is in discussions with Feaster about how everything is going to be resolved.

In the meantime, Lawton said Thursday that newly hired assistant GM Tom Kurvers will share the title with current assistant GM Claude Loiselle. While Lawton didn't say what titles each would hold, Kurvers will be primarily responsible for player personnel issues while Loiselle will handle legal issues, including negotiating contracts and matters involving the collective bargaining agreement.

Lawton also mentioned that assistant coaches Mike Sullivan and Jeff Reese, who have one year remaining on their contracts, have been speaking to other teams.

The members of the team's training and equipment staff are expected to remain with the team.

DON'T MESS WITH ZENON: The Lightning officially signed center Zenon Konopka to a two-year contract Thursday. The first year of the deal is a two-way contract, while the second year is a one-way that will pay him $500,000 at either the NHL or minor-league level.

Konopka, 27, scored 24 goals and had 55 points and 194 penalty minutes while serving as captain of Syracuse in the American Hockey League last season. In 32 career games with Anaheim and Columbus, Konopka has four goals, seven points and 83 penalty minutes.

"He is a great leader in the dressing room and is one of those players that you love to have on your team but hate to play against," Lawton said.

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835 or eerlendsson@tampatrib.com.

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