Lightning hand All-Star center Vincent Lecavalier 11-year, $85 million contract extension

By FRED GOODALL , Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. - All-Star center Vincent Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85-million contract extension that he hopes will keep him in a Tampa Bay Lightning uniform for the remainder of his career. "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," Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said Sunday in a team statement. "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." New owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie will join Lecavalier at a news conference Tuesday that will be followed by an autograph... [read full story]