Untitled Page

Vincent Lecavalier News & Rumors

Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier says shoulder finally good after 2008 surgery
March 30
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Back in the lineup Thursday after missing 18 games because of a fractured right hand, Lightning C Vinny Lecavalier said losing significant time to injury for a second straight season is "frustrating, for sure." But it is even more so this season because his surgically repaired right shoulder finally is healthy. Lecavalier for the first time admitted what long was suspected: He had lingering effects from the April 2008 surgery to repair his severely dislocated shoulder and torn labrum. "Oh, my God, they put it in there really tight," Lecavalier said of the shoulder being held in place by nine brackets. "They wanted to make sure it didn't come out again.""
Lecavalier returns against Devils
March 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"Vinny Lecavalier's return to the lineup after an 18-game absence wasn't spectacular, but it did serve the purpose of showing even though the season is about over, he isn't packing it in. With Tampa Bay teetering on the brink of playoff elimination, Lecavalier suited up against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on Thursday. It was his first game since injuring his wrist Feb. 18 against Washington. His return came on the Bolts' second shift when he was paired with Teddy Purcell and JT Wyman. The plan was to keep Lecavalier's shifts short, which is why they generally lasted 30 to 40 seconds."
Captain Vinny Lecavalier set to return to Tampa Bay Lightning lineup on Thursday
March 29
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Lightning will get a significant piece of its roster back on Thursday when captain Vinny Lecavalier is expected to play against the Devils in Newark, N.J. Lecavalier has missed 18 games with a fractured right hand sustained Feb. 18 against the Capitals when he was hit by a puck. "Happy to get back in the lineup," he tweeted. Center Nate Thompson also might return after six games sidelined by an upper-body injury. In anticipation, right wing Pierre-Cedric Labrie was reassigned to AHL Norfolk. Lecavalier's absence left a huge hole in the lineup. He has 21 goals, 46 points in 58 games and averages 19:04 of ice time. He also is second on the team with five winning goals. Still,"
Lecavalier itching to return to lineup
March 27
Tampa Tribune
 
"Vinny Lecavalier is happy to be traveling with the team and even though he didn't play in Monday's game against the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center, the Lightning captain is encouraged by his progress. Lecavalier has missed 17 games since suffering a fractured right hand on Feb. 18 against Washington. He won't say when he will play but it's possible it could come on this three-game road trip, which includes a game at Boston tonight and in New Jersey on Thursday. "I am on the trip so obviously I do want to play but we don't know when," Lecavalier said after participating in the morning skate. "It depends on how I react to what I did (Monday). It felt really good (Monday), probably the best"
Lightning's injured Vinny Lecavalier returns to practice, will travel
March 25
St. Petersburg Times
 
"If all goes to plan, captain Vinny Lecavalier will play on the Lightning's three-game road trip that starts Monday in Philadelphia. The center, wearing a red no-contact jersey, skated Saturday for the first time with teammates since fracturing his right hand Feb. 18 against the Capitals. "It felt a little better," Lecavalier said. "But the strength in the hand is not there yet." Even so, "when I'm ready to play, I want to play," he said. "That's why I'm joining the team (on the road trip). I don't want to set any dates, but I want to start practicing with the team and get the feel of the game. I want to play as soon as possible." Lecavalier, 31, has missed 15 games since taking a puck off"
Could injured Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier be back in as few as three weeks?
February 23
St. Petersburg Times
 
"If everything goes without a hitch, injured Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier could be back in the lineup by the middle of March, general manager Steve Yzerman said. The team originally said Lecavalier would be out indefinitely, but an MRI exam showed the fractured bone in his right hand is not displaced, meaning only time, and no surgery, is required for healing. Yzerman acknowledged the three-week window might be pushing it."
Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier out indefinitely with hand/wrist injury
February 22
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Lightning received what GM Steve Yzerman called "a blow, for sure," when it announced captain Vinny Lecavalier will be out indefinitely. Officially, he has an upper-body injury, but Lecavalier was seen on Tuesday leaving the players lounge at the Tampa Bay Times Forum wearing a soft cast around his right hand/wrist, leading to assumptions he could have a fractured bone. "It's real disappointing," Lecavalier said. "We're making a push and we're playing well. It's too bad I can't help my teammates." Lecavalier said he is not exactly sure how the injury occurred, though it did happen during Saturday's 2-1 win against the Capitals. Lecavalier said he felt some discomfort after"
Lightning lose captain Lecavalier indefinitely to injury
February 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"In a season full of ups and downs – more downs than ups – the Lightning hit another potential dip on Tuesday. Tampa Bay captain Vinny Lecavalier is out indefinitely with an unspecified upper-body injury suffered during Saturday's victory against Washington. There is no timetable for Lecavalier's return. He was seen leaving the arena on Tuesday with a soft cast/brace on his right hand, but neither Lecavalier nor the team would confirm the exact nature of the injury. With less than a week to go before the trade deadline and the Lightning attempting to get into the playoff picture, they will be without the team's second-leading goal scorer, third-leading scorer and one of the top faceoff"
Lecavalier leaves practice due to injury
February 21
Tampa Tribune
 
"Captain Vinny Lecavalier is the latest Tampa Bay Lightning player to suffer an injury. Lecavalier left practice early on Monday and is expected to miss Tuesday's game against Anaheim after undergoing unspecified testing for what the team is calling an upper-body injury, according to general manager Steve Yzerman. Tampa Bay head coach Guy Boucher said something "popped up" with Lecavalier during Saturday's victory against Washington. Lecavalier did attempt to practice but had to leave less than halfway through the 70-minute on-ice session. The team called up center Trevor Smith from Norfolk of the American Hockey League on Monday."
Old hands Marty, Vinny keep Bolts in playoff picture
February 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"Knowing when somebody is going to zig and when he is going to zag looks like intuition between teammates. It can't be practiced or mapped out. Sometimes, it just happens. Or, in the case of Lightning stars Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis, happens again. The Tampa Bay veterans have been a big part of the Lightning's mini resurgence over the past seven games and heading into Tuesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. During the 6-0-1 stretch, Tampa Bay's dynamic duo has rekindled some of the chemistry that made it the top scoring duo in 2006-07, when each player reached the 100-point mark and the two combined for 210 points."
Vinny Lecavalier has no regrets in going after Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin
January 17
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier said he does not regret anything he did or tried to do Sunday to Penguins star Evgeni Malkin. Not jumping Malkin from behind or the sucker punch he threw to Malkin's face at the end of a scrum. It was justified payback, Lecavalier said, for what he believes was Malkin's attempt in the third period of a 6-3 Pittsburgh victory to go for his knees while ducking a Lecavalier check. "I thought he went a little low on the hit," Lecavalier said Monday at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. "Sometimes there's confrontations on the ice. It's heat of the moment. It just happens.""
Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier attacks Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin
January 16
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Lightning C Vinny Lecavalier had a big part in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Penguins. He assisted on two goals in a third-period comeback that briefly tied the score 3-3. But he also attacked and sucker punched Evgeni Malkin with 7:49 left in the game, earning 14 minutes in penalties — a double-minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct — with Tampa Bay down 5-3. Lecavalier left the arena before talking to reporters; unusual for a captain whose free-falling team lost its seventh straight."
Lecavalier's emotions boil over
January 16
Tampa Tribune
 
"Percolating emotions briefly bubbled over for Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier midway through the third period Sunday. With 7:49 left and Tampa Bay trailing by two goals, Lecavalier jumped Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin from behind and landed some punches on the Penguins' all-star center. Then during the ensuing scrum, Lecavalier landed one more punch before the two were separated. For his actions, Lecavalier was handed a four-minute roughing call along with a 10-minute misconduct penalty, which ended his afternoon."
Malkin, Lecavalier mix it up in Penguins' victory
January 16
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Center Evgeni Malkin simply shrugged his shoulders when asked why he was attacked by Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier on Sunday. Moments earlier, Malkin ducked to avoid a hit from Lecavalier, who was attempting to hit the Penguins center into the boards. Lecavalier then approached Malkin from behind and started throwing punches. He was given four minutes of penalties for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct. Malkin received two minutes for roughing. "Vinny felt that Malkin tried to go for his knees," Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher said. "In those situations, he's the captain and he wants to show that we are not going to just take everything and be little poodles and wait for things to"
Malkin tried to duck taking a penalty
January 16
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"When Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier came charging after Evgeni Malkin , the Penguins center had one thought. "I just wanted to play hockey. I didn't want to fight with him," Malkin said of a third-period incident Sunday in the Penguins' 6-3 win at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. "It's the last five minutes, and I wanted to stay on the ice." Lecavalier looked to have lined up his counterpart near the corner boards, but Malkin ducked and Lecavalier tumbled into the boards. Lecavalier jumped up, approached Malkin from behind and half-bear-hugged, half-punched him."
Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier says now is the time to push into playoff spot
December 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Lightning coach Guy Boucher says his team isn't paying a ton of attention to the standings with more than half the season remaining. But players acknowledge there is a sense of urgency, considering Tampa Bay is eight points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference heading into tonight's game with the Flyers at the St. Pete Times Forum. "Now is the time," captain Vinny Lecavalier said Monday. "It's not in a month, month and a half. We have to make a push now. We're eight points out of eighth place. We've got to get on a roll here. And with consistency, that's how you do it." Consistency has been fleeting for one of last season's Eastern Conference finalists."
Longtime Bolts St. Louis, Lecavalier parallel Yzerman's longevity
November 30
Tampa Tribune
 
"As the Tampa Bay Lightning filed off the ice at the Troy Sports Center after practice Tuesday, a large contingent of media filed into an adjacent locker room, trailing Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman. Around this part of the country, Yzerman's association lies with a single franchise, the Detroit Red Wings. Wednesday's meeting between the Lightning and Detroit marks Yzerman's first trip back to Joe Louis Arena with the franchise he has been placed in charge of running. His return will draw plenty of interest and likely a video tribute during the game. Yzerman's longevity with the Red Wings, 22 seasons as a player, is a rarity in today's world of the salary cap and free agency that"
Roloson, Lecavalier lead Lightning past Pens, 4-1
November 18
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Lightning knew they had to come out locked-in to face a loaded Pittsburgh team Thursday. And that's precisely the part Tampa Bay played in knocking off the conference-leading Penguins 4-1 in front of an announced crowd of 18,509. Goaltender Dwayne Roloson stopped 33 shots, falling 3:11 short of posting his second shutout of the season. Vinny Lecavalier scored twice, while Steve Downie and Brett Connolly scored power-play goals to lead the Lightning to their sixth consecutive victory at home, tied for the third longest home winning streak in franchise history. "They were as hard as it gets,'' Lightning coach Guy Boucher said of facing the Penguins."
Bolts' Lecavalier, free of injuries, distractions, off to strong start
November 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"Wading through foggy conditions, even for those with a concentrated focus, tends to dull the senses. But when the fog begins to break, it's clear sailing. That has been the case with Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier the past couple of years. Bogged down with injuries, surgeries and countless rumors swirling around him and the franchise, Lecavalier's game looked lost at times. Whether he was worried about his surgically repaired shoulder, dealing with a nagging wrist ailment that required surgery or hearing he was about to be traded to his hometown Canadiens — the concerns took a toll. All that seems to be in the past as Lecavalier enters tonight's game at Carolina with five"
Lecavalier family adds member to home team
October 19
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier and wife Caroline welcomed the couple's second child when Gabriel Vincent Lecavalier arrived Tuesday night. The newest addition to the Lecavalier family checked in at seven pounds, five ounces and 19-and-a-half inches. He was born at 7:52 p.m."
Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier hopes healthy summer leads to productive season
September 16
St. Petersburg Times
 
"For Vinny Lecavalier, the best part of his offseason workout program was it began a few weeks early. He didn't do anything major, he said, just some extra skating. But given how his past few summers have been more about rehabilitating repaired body parts than preparing for a season, the quick start felt good. "It was such a relief," the Lightning captain said, "not having to think about healing something." There has been a lot of healing. Tampa Bay's training camp opens today at the Ice Sports Forum, and for the first time in five years, Lecavalier comes in healthy. "In five years?" exclaimed coach Guy Boucher. In five years."
Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier's brood about to swell to two
September 13
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier has a bit more on his mind than the start of training camp. He and wife Caroline are expecting their second child, a boy, in about five weeks. He will not, Lecavalier said, laughing, be named Vincent. The couple's first child, Victoria, is 16 months."
Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier can relate to Steven Stamkos' protracted contract talks
July 19
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier doesn't claim to know all the ins and outs of what is going on in the protracted contract negotiations between the team and Steven Stamkos. But he does know this: "I know Stammer wants to be part of the Lightning." Besides, he added, "We're two months from training camp, so I'm not worried at all." If anyone has a relevant perspective on how negotiations can go, it is Lecavalier, who in 2001 did not sign a new contract coming out of his entry-level deal until the night before Tampa Bay's Oct. 5 season opener. Lecavalier is not saying his teammate's negotiations will drag on that long, just that it is too early to be sounding the alarms that are clanging"
After 12 years, Lecavalier is a complete player
May 3
Tampa Tribune
 columnist Martin Fennelly
"He is a Man in Full these days, a leader. He has been a Lightning center for a dozen seasons. He has been a captain when he shouldn't have been, and now he's a captain in every sense of the word. He took all 12 years, all of his experience, to get where he is. And there was Vinny Lecavalier in front of the Washington net in overtime the other night. Teddy Purcell put the puck on his stick, and Vinny didn't miss, deftly flipping it high into the net for his second goal of the night — the overtime winner. Then he slammed the glass like a kid and waited for a pile of Bolts to celebrate their 2-0 lead in their series with the Capitals. It's much fun right now for Vinny. He's not the"
Vinny Lecavalier a star once again
May 2
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist John Romano
"He has been a prodigy. A skinny 18-year-old with the skills of a maestro. He has been a disappointment. A petulant 21-year-old with a lack of perspective. He has been a superstar. A smiling 26-year-old on top of the hockey world. And now? What would you call Vinny Lecavalier today? How about Tampa Bay's savior. Again. He is 31 and no longer the goal scorer he was as a younger man. His body has been dinged and dented and, at times, his ego has been forced to take a holiday. Steven Stamkos has become the face of the Lightning, and Marty St. Louis continues to rack up points at a rare pace. Lecavalier? He is the older gent. A 50-goal scorer who has become the most expensive defensive forward"
Lecavalier up to old tricks
April 18
Tampa Tribune
 
"Vinny Lecavalier stood at the left post and deftly slipped a puck between his legs, followed quickly by his stick before snapping off a deceptive shot on goal. That particular play occurred early in the second period of Wednesday's Game 1 against Pittsburgh and only a brilliant save by Marc-Andre Fleury prevented the puck from getting into the net. But immediately following the between-the-legs attempt, flashbacks began to flutter through the minds of those around in 2004 when Lecavalier had a similar play against Montreal that found the net in the dying seconds of Game 3 that sent the game into overtime. The Lecavalier who made that play in 2004 looks an awful lot like the Lecavalier from"
Vinny, Marty lead Bolts' charge to postseason
April 13
Tampa Tribune
 
"They're a part of our sports landscape. First names are enough. Marty and Vinny. They've been Lightning teammates for 10 seasons. Seven years ago, they took turns lifting the Stanley Cup. Last season, they took turns wondering whatever happened to those days, or if they'd play again in Tampa, or wanted to if things stayed bad. Well, it's playoff season, and here are Marty and Vinny, driving toward the show, on the same line for the first time in two years, reading each other's minds, making plays, flying, scoring, smiling — together. "It's been a lot of fun," Marty St. Louis said. "It's like it was," Vinny Lecavalier said. "They're like little kids out there, playing street hockey,""
Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis hope to recapture playoff magic for Tampa Bay Lightning
April 12
St. Petersburg Times
 
"As soon as Vinny Lecavalier saw teammate Marty St. Louis pick off the pass, Lecavalier was off to the races. "The work on that, for me, is to beat the D," Lecavalier said. That is because the Lightning center knew St. Louis' first instinct would be to pass to his fastbreaking teammate. And that is just what happened in Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Hurricanes as Lecavalier took the pass in stride and scored on a breakaway. "I knew the puck would be there," Lecavalier said Monday at the St. Pete Times Forum. "We just know how each other plays." Watching Lecavalier and St. Louis, two of Tampa Bay's most iconic figures, play on the same line the past few weeks has been quite a show. Not"
Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis hope to recapture playoff magic for Tampa Bay Lightning
April 12
St. Petersburg Times
 
"As soon as Vinny Lecavalier saw teammate Marty St. Louis pick off the pass, Lecavalier was off to the races. "The work on that, for me, is to beat the D," Lecavalier said. That is because the Lightning center knew St. Louis' first instinct would be to pass to his fastbreaking teammate. And that is just what happened in Saturday's 6-2 victory over the Hurricanes as Lecavalier took the pass in stride and scored on a breakaway. "I knew the puck would be there," Lecavalier said Monday at the St. Pete Times Forum. "We just know how each other plays." Watching Lecavalier and St. Louis, two of Tampa Bay's most iconic figures, play on the same line the past few weeks has been quite a show. Not"
Lecavalier returns from eye injury
April 6
Tampa Tribune
 
"Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier suited up for Tuesday's game against the Sabres two days after getting hit in the eye with a stick. Lecavalier wore a tinted visor during the morning skate, but he switched to a clear visor, which he will be required to wear for the remaining three regular-season games, including Tuesday's. "I felt pretty good, and it's been getting better and better every day,'' said Lecavalier, who was hit by the stick of Chicago's Michael Frolik in the second period of Sunday's game at Chicago. "I think from the first night through (Monday) night was a huge improvement and to (Tuesday) morning, too. It's not 100 percent, but even from hour to hour it improves.'' After"
Lecavalier to play at Buffalo wearing visor
April 5
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier will play against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, two days after getting hit in the eye with a stick. Lecavalier began Tuesday's morning skate wearing a tinted visor, but switched to a clear visor he is required to wear for the remaining three regular-season games. "I felt pretty good and it's been getting better and better every day,'' Lecavalier said. "I think from the first night through (Monday) night was a huge improvement and to (Tuesday) morning, too. "It's not 100 percent, but even from hour to hour it improves.'' After seeing an eye doctor on Monday's off-day for the team, Lecavalier was diagnosed with a contusion to the eye. He"
No damage after high stick catches Bolts' Lecavalier
April 5
Tampa Tribune
 
"Lighting captain Vinny Lecavalier averted serious eye damage and could be back in the lineup today against the Buffalo Sabres. Lecavalier took a stick across the top of his face from Chicago's Michael Frolik during the second period of Sunday's 2-0 victory after scoring the game's opening goal in the first. He received three stitches above his right eye, had some swelling and wore an eye patch after the game while experiencing vision problems in the right side of his right eye. On Monday, the Lecavalier went to see an eye doctor and he was diagnosed with an eye contusion but escaped major damage. Lecavalier said he will attempt to skate this morning to determine if he will be able to play"
Lecavalier might have a scratched cornea after taking high-stick to face
April 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The injury, when it occurred Sunday night, didn't seem that bad as Vinny Lecavalier skated himself off the ice. But the Lightning captain did not return to the 2-0 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks at the United Center after Michael Frolik, 4:42 into the second, inadvertently hit him above the right eye with his stick blade. Lecavalier, who scored the winner, needed three stitches and had a vision issue coach Guy Boucher said could be a scratched cornea. "He wanted to go back in, but he couldn't see," Boucher said. "He's a warrior. There was blood here, blood there, around the nose." The injury overshadowed the effort of goaltender Mike Smith, who made his fourth"
Vinny Lecavalier supports suspension of Pittsburgh Penguins' Matt Cooke
March 23
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The NHL made the right call in suspending Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke for the rest of the regular season and first round of the playoffs, Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier said. "Hopefully," he said Tuesday, "it helps clean up the game." Lecavalier has long been an advocate of harsher penalties for head shots. He also has a low opinion of Cooke, whose blind-side hit on him in the penultimate game of 2007-08 caused a separated shoulder and torn labrum that required surgery. But Lecavalier said he took no personal satisfaction in the suspension to Cooke, considered by many one of the league's dirtiest players, who laid out Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh with an elbow Sunday. "I'm just happy"
Lightning teammates say stress of former ownership took toll on Lecavalier
March 20
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Vinny Lecavalier was diplomatic last week when he spoke of reasons for the two-year slump from which he is emerging. And certainly "bad habits" on the ice, as he called them — such as floating on the perimeter of the action instead of grinding through it and leaving the defensive zone early — were big parts of his downturn. He also had surgeries to repair shoulder, knee, hand and wrist injuries. But several teammates agreed the stress of two years of trade rumors under former ownership and management also took its toll, and it is no surprise Lecavalier believes he is playing his best hockey since 2007-08, before the two years OK Hockey and general manager Brian Lawton ran the team. "You"
Lecavalier unhappy with Montreal's Subban
March 19
Tampa Tribune
 
"Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier became the latest player to call into question the antics of Montreal rookie defenseman P.K. Subban. In the waning seconds of the first period of Thursday's Lightning game at Bell Centre, Lecavalier and Subban were battling in front of the net on a Tampa Bay power play for half-a-minute. The battle ensued behind the net and carried through to the front where, after getting slashed twice on the wrist by Subban, Lecavalier gave a two-handed slash back to Subban along the thigh area. After Subban stayed down on the ice for several moments, the officiating crew decided that Lecavalier's slash was worthy of a five-minute major and a game misconduct, which"
Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier calls Montreal Canadiens' P.K. Subban a faker who 'doesn't respect anybody'
March 19
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier said he did not sleep well Thursday night. His left wrist still was sore after being slashed twice by Canadiens rookie defenseman P.K. Subban. His sensibilities about how hockey should be played were raw as well. It wasn't so much that he and Subban had had a fast-escalating stick battle in front of the net. It was that Subban embellished being injured by collapsing and staying on the ice, and then skated off holding his left arm when replays showed Lecavalier's wicked two-handed slash hit Subban's left thigh pad. The deception worked. Lecavalier was ejected from the 3-2 shootout loss at the Bell Centre with 8.5 seconds left in the first period. But"
No supplemental discipline for Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier after incident with Subban
March 18
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier apparently will face no supplemental discipline for his slashing incident Thursday with Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban. Lecavalier received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct with 8.5 seconds left in the first period of what turned out to be a 3-2 shootout loss for the Lightning. In case you missed it, the two traded shoves, slashes and cross-checks for about 30 seconds before Lecavalier, after a slash across his wrist, turned and put a two-hander on Subban, who went to the ice hard, stayed down and then skated to the bench holding his left arm. The problem with that is Lecavalier's slash hit Subban in the left thigh. Either"
No supplemental discipline for Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier after slash of P.K. Subban
March 18
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier apparently will face no supplemental discipline for his slashing incident Thursday with Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban. Lecavalier received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct with 8.5 seconds left in the first period of what turned out to be a 3-2 shootout loss for the Lightning. In case you missed it, the two traded shoves, slashes and cross-checks for about 30 seconds before Lecavalier, after a slash across his wrist, turned and put a two-hander on Subban, who went to the ice hard, stayed down and then skated to the bench holding his left arm. The problem with that is Lecavalier's slash hit Subban in the left thigh."
Lecavalier booted in loss to Habs
March 18
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay gutted out a point, playing a man down for the final two periods, before dropping a 3-2 shootout decision to Montreal on Thursday. Mike Cammalleri had the deciding goal in the fourth round of the shootout while Carey Price stopped 35 shots and three of four shooters in the shootout. Tampa Bay is four points behind Washington for the lead in the Southeast Division, is two points behind Pittsburgh for the No. 4 seed while three points ahead of Montreal, which occupies the No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Lightning were forced to play with 10 forwards for the two periods after captain Vinny Lecavalier was ejected from the game with 11 seconds left in the first"
Vincent Lecavalier turns it up a notch as playoffs draw near
March 17
SportingNews.com
 
"Vincent Lecavalier was last a 40-goal scorer in 2008 and it may never happen again. But his play right now is as close to that level as it's been in years and it comes as a good time while the Lightning fight for position in the Eastern Conference. "Vinny's play from the start of the year until now is getting better and better," Lightning GM Steve Yzerman told Sporting News. "He's experienced, he's in good shape, he's working hard and that experience will pay off as the season winds down here and into the playoffs." In the 18 games since the All-Star break, Lecavalier has 10 goals and seven assists, with his production at nearly a point-per-game rate. He told the St. Petersburg Times that"
After two seasons of struggles, Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier has feel-good return to hometown Montreal
March 17
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Polite as ever, Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier asked a reporter if he minded that he probably would not read the article for which he was being interviewed. Lecavalier said he is trying to avoid distractions, and he held up his hands, like blinders, at the sides of his head. "I just want to stay focused," he said. You can forgive Lecavalier for being protective of his "A" game. It has, after all, been so long since anyone saw it. Lecavalier said he is playing his best hockey since 2007-08, when he had 40 goals, 92 points and was a consistent difference-maker. And with 10 goals and 16 points in his past 16 games, Lecavalier, 30, is reminding people he once was regarded as one of the"
Injured players return to ice
March 6
Tampa Tribune
 
"Nearly all of the Lightning's walking wounded skated Saturday. That included captain Vinny Lecavalier and D Marc-Andre Bergeron, who both missed Thursday's game in Boston. The only missing member was RW Steve Downie, who is out with an unspecified lower-body injury suffered in the second period in Boston. Lecavalier missed one game after suffering an unspecified mid-body injury following a hit on New Jersey's David Steckel late in Wednesday's loss to the Devils. While he said before the game he felt good after the morning skate, he wanted to make sure he wasn't pushing himself too fast to get back in the lineup to face his hometown Canadiens. "You have to be smart. You don't want to make"
Lecavalier sits out with an injury
March 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"The Lightning survived the loss of captain Vinny Lecavalier to injury earlier this season. Now, they have to do it again. Lecavalier, who missed 15 games in November and December with a fracture in his hand, sat out Thursday's game in Boston with an undisclosed mid-body injury suffered in the late stages of Wednesday's loss in New Jersey. Lecavalier suffered the injury when he delivered a hit to Devils C David Steckel with 3:16 left in the third period. Although Lecavalier played the remainder of the game, including the final 1:26 of the period, he said he felt the situation worsen as soon as the game was over. "I kind of knew right away, and it kind of got worse right after the game"
Vinny Lecavalier out with mid-body injury
March 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier will miss at least tonight's game with the Bruins because of a mid-body injury sustained in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Devils. The injury apparently occurred when Lecavalier checked New Jersey's David Steckel into the corner boards in the offensive zone with 3:16 left in the game. Lecavalier stayed in the game and played the final 1:34. Forwards Blair Jones and Mattias Ritola were re-called from AHL Norfolk. Lecavalier, while not revealing the injury, said it is not something that could require surgery. "No, not at all," he said. "It's just something you have to treat, and sometimes it takes a little longer than other times. ... It's more of a"
Vinny Lecavalier helps Tampa Bay Lightning edge New York Rangers 2-1
February 28
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Vinny Lecavalier on Sunday made the same fist-pumping gesture he usually does after he scores a goal, but even the Lightning captain agreed it was with more gusto. That's what happens when you regain some self-esteem and help your team win at the same time. Lecavalier's goal, on the power play and off a booming one-timer 2:40 into the third period, gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 victory over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. And it came one period after his offensive-zone turnover led to Brandon Prust's shorthanded breakaway goal that tied the score 1-1. "I felt bad," Lecavalier said. "It doesn't matter who scores, but to get it back, really good." The Lightning (37-18-7), with its third"
Lecavalier works to find right balance
February 14
Tampa Tribune
 
"No matter the circumstances, no matter the situations, outsiders will always view Vinny Lecavalier's game with a narrow focus. Since his first days on the ice with the Lightning, Lecavalier's offensive skills and abilities stole headlines and defined his game. Winning the Rocket Richard Trophy with a league-best 52 goals in 2006-07 helped fulfill those expectations that followed him since he was selected first overall in the 1998 NHL draft. In the past couple of years, however, Lecavalier's numbers dipped to mediocre levels with 53 combined goals the past two seasons amid ownership turmoil and constant trade rumors after he signed an 11-year contract extension worth $85 million. So this"
Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Lecavalier trying to find balance between offense and defense
February 12
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Vinny Lecavalier said he preferred not to talk about his game Tuesday against the Sabres even though it was one of his best of the season. The Lightning captain had two goals and his first three-point game. He tied a season best with six shots and had seven scoring chances. But Tampa Bay lost 7-4. "When you get some results, you want your team to win," Lecavalier said. "Otherwise, the results don't count." That's a noble sentiment, but for a player who has struggled offensively, the outburst is notable. Add that he has three goals and seven points in his past six games, and perhaps it is the start of a trend. Whatever it is, it is part of the re-education of Vinny Lecavalier as coach Guy"
Lecavalier is at ease flying under the radar
February 4
Tampa Tribune
 
"Vinny Lecavalier's name has been absent from the headlines for much of the Lightning's run to the top of the Southeast Division, but not many people seem to have noticed. That probably wouldn't have been the case in other years. We'd be harping on the fact he has only eight goals (to be fair, he missed a month with a broken bone in his hand). With the trade deadline approaching, there'd be near-daily rumors that he was about to be moved. With Vinny, there was always something. But this is a different Lightning team and a different Vinny. So when you mention to Coach Guy Boucher that it seems like his highest-paid player is flying below the radar, he smiles and says simply, "Yeah, which is"