Sun Jul 13 17:34:19 2008

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Lightning lock up Lecavalier with 11-year deal

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Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Vincent Lecavalier to an 11-year contract extension, the club announced Sunday.

The deal starts following the 2008-09 season and runs through the 2019-2020 campaign. Lecavalier is entering the final year of a four-year, $27.5 million deal.

The first overall pick of the 1998 draft, Lecavalier holds the franchise record in goals (273), points (602) and games played (710). Last season he posted 40 goals and 92 points in 81 games, becoming the first Lightning player to record consecutive 40-goal seasons.

"Not only is Vincent one of the most dynamic players in the NHL, he's one of the classiest people you'll ever meet off the ice as well," Brian Lawton, Tampa Bay vice president of hockey operations, said. "With this deal our ownership has made it clear that he is the cornerstone of the Lightning, and Vincent has shown his dedication to the franchise and the Tampa Bay area by signing for less than he undoubtedly would've received on the open market.

Terms of the deal were not released, but TSN of Canada reported on its Web site Saturday that the deal is worth $85 million.

Lecavalier is a three-time All-Star, and in 2006-07 captured the Rocket Richard Trophy for leading the league in goals with 52. In 45 Stanley Cup playoff games, he has 18 goals and 15 assists -- most of them coming in 2004, when Tampa Bay won the Stanley Cup. During that playoff run he had nine goals and seven assists in 23 games.

"I'm proud and honored to be committing myself to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the rest of my NHL career," Lecavalier said. "It's no secret how I feel about the organization, the fans and the Tampa Bay community, and there's no place else I'd rather be."