Lightning Press on Despite Ownership, Trade Talk

WASHINGTON -- As the first U.S.-born player taken No. 1 overall in the NHL Entry Draft, Brian Lawton knows a little bit about expectations.

While Lawton (pictured above watching Lightning practice on Monday) was more of journeyman than an all-star in his decade in the league that concluded in 1993, he became one of hockey's most successful sports agents and parlayed that into his current gig as the Tampa Bay Lightning general manager.

Now, those around hockey are wondering what to expect from his Lightning the rest of this season: An ownership change? A possible trade of captain Vincent Lecavalier? The team's first playoff berth since 2007?

Lawton refuses to talk about reports the team is about to be sold to Boston hedge fund manager Jeffrey Vinik and calls rumors of a Lecavalier trade "preposterous." As far as the team's playoff chances go, Lawton says he hopes he put the right pieces together to make that happen.

"It's been a very steep learning curve," Lawton says. "I thoroughly enjoy what I'm doing. The biggest challenge is working with individuals to create a group setting. As a player and then an agent, you always dealt with players, but now I have little bit better perspective."

Lawton took over at general manager on Oct. 22, 2008. By that time, ownership had already hired ESPN analyst Barry Melrose, signed Lecavalier to an 11-year, $85-million extension and traded popular defenseman Dan Boyle to the San Jose Sharks.

The Melrose experiment lasted only 16 games into the 2008-09, although his replacement, Rick Tocchet, has been a calming influence behind the bench. Meanwhile, rookie and No. 2 overall pick from last year's draft Victor Hedman has helped fill the void left by the Boyle deal.

"We've heard this stuff for two years. You are immune to it and you let it go. There is really nothing you can do about it. We can only control what happens on the ice."
-- Rick Tocchet on the Lightning's Ownership Woes But one thing that's been out of Lawton's control is all the speculation centering around Lecavalier, further fueled by his early-season struggles and talk that any new owner may want to move that salary off the books.

"You read all the reports that new ownership wants to cut payroll, some even saying they'd want to buy out the contract," says former Lightning general manager Jay Feaster, who is now a regular on NHL Radio. "It's tough to pay anybody that sort of money and Vinny has the leverage since he has a no-move clause. The teams able to sign off on this kind of trade are limited by their own budgets."

Lecavalier says he doesn't want to leave the only NHL team he's called home.

"It's grown on me," Lecavalier says. "It feels like home. Obviously, the last couple years the fans haven't come out as much compared to four or five years ago when we were winning, but we still have good support in Tampa. That's why I signed there long-term. I want to finish my career there."

Lecavalier had only one goal in October, which Feaster says may have been a carryover from a lackluster 2008-09 season and playing without Vinny Prospal, who was bought out last offseason.

"I think he also struggled at the start because he was pressing and trying to do too much under the weight of that $10 million salary," Feaster says. "But to see him over the last 25 games, he's been starting to come around and I think we can expect big things from him down the stretch."

Lecavalier says all the recent talk that he could be dealt to the Los Angeles Kings or elsewhere are "just rumors." He has 14 goals and 38 assists (52 points) through 54 games, just 13 points from his total from last season.

After finishing 30th and 29th, respectively, the last two seasons, Tampa Bay is 22-21-11 and two points out of the eighth and final playoff sport in the East. The Lightning are 3-1-1 over the last five games, seemingly blocking out the talk about how new ownership could take over any day now.

"We are not paying attention to that," said second-year forward Steven Stamkos, who leads the Lightning with 29 goals. "We are in the playoff push as players, so our focus is on the game."

The St. Petersburg Times reported over the weekend that Vinick had backing by the NHL to purchase the Lightning and the deal was all but done. Lawton said there was nothing new to report on that front and Tocchet says his coaching staff and players are not distracted by it.

"We've heard this stuff for two years," Tocchet says. "You are immune to it and you let it go. There is really nothing you can do about it. We can only control what happens on the ice."

On that front, the Lightning said they're looking to build off Sunday's 3-2 loss to Eastern Conference-leading Washington, a game in which Tampa erased a two-goal deficit in the third period. Tampa plays in Atlanta on Tuesday, a game Lawton will attend in person as he eyes the Lightning's turnaround.

Lawton says it's just a matter of time before Tampa will again contend for a Stanley Cup like in 2004 when the Lightning won the title. He admits he'd like to be around to see his vision fulfilled -- no matter who owns the team.

"I've enjoyed my time here," Lawton says. "Those things aren't for me to say. Tampa is a wonderful place and we're well-positioned for the future."