Lightning Won't Commit Franchise Suicide

As the 2008-2009 NHL season starts to head into the final stretch before the playoffs, it's that time of the year for trade rumors to circulate.

With the Mar. 4 trade deadline approaching, the Tampa Bay Lightning are currently sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference, and 16 points out of the playoffs.

With only 22 games left to play, the Lightning are obviously sellers come the trade deadline. However, don't expect any big names to go.

The biggest rumor out there is All-Star Center Vincent Lecavalier would be traded to either his hometown Montreal Canadiens or the New York Rangers.

Unfortunately for those two clubs, this trade will never happen. The Lightning, while in rebuilding mode, can not afford to trade their franchise player, no matter who is offered in return.

Trading Lecavalier would lead to angry fans, even less attendance at the Forum, and ultimately, hockey no longer being played in Tampa Bay.

Instead of trading their biggest asset, what Tampa needs to do is rebuild around him. Lecavalier is more than just a hockey player in Tampa, he's the face of the community.

Lecavalier is the most charitable and loved athlete in the area, more than any Tampa Bay Rays player, and even more than the athletes on the beloved Bucs.

What Tampa needs to do come trade deadline is trade veteran talent such as Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi in return for youth and draft picks, using those players to build around Vinny.

I think the Lightning organization has figured this out, and that is their plan of action.

However, if they take the other route, and trade Vincent Lecavalier, they might as well go with him, because hockey in Tampa will cease no more.