Weeping not Reaping in Guelph

A sad day has come. Today the Guelph Reapers fans were weeping as news came across the wire that the hero of the past two seasons, and three season in a row 100 point man Vincent Lecavalier has left Guelph.

Vinnie came to Guelph in a huge dispersal draft day trade where Guelph managed to trade for the first overall pick giving up a package of lesser pieces featuring Timonen, Berglund, and two draft picks. Ironically one of those picks was AVI2 which today was part of the return package.

Vincent Lecavalier came to Guelph with high expectations and instantly formed a bond with Teemu Selanne. The two combined to be dominant and end 1-2 in scoring as the team was amongst the most feared offensively. After Selanne walked in free agency demanding more money then the team would pay, Lecavalier found new Chemistry with co-captain Shane Doan.

Lecavalier had his third straight 100 point campaign helping Doan on his way to his first scoring title. With Shane Doan now also leaving via free agency, the team again unwilling to pay the huge demand, Vinny was facing a third straight year with new linemates.

Marian Hossa, who has been speculated to be dealt, was set to be Vinny's newest linemate and somehow the team still had created a fear around the league that for a third straight year, the Reapers would boast one of the most deadly 1-2 punches going.

Sadly that came to an end today. The Reapers dealt Lecavalier to the Aviators for a package of young players and picks.

Coming back to Guelph are Lee Stempniak, Kyle Quincey and two Aviator 2nd round picks, this year and next. For many fans, the question is why?

"We had no choice really," admitted GM Gandour, "we had struggled with cash the past several years. To lose all our big free agents year after year to cash issues was killing us. We got nothing for Doan, nothing for Selanne. We knew we could not afford to pay Hossa and Lecavalier, but did not want them to leave for nothing as well. The sign and trade made the most sense. Getting Lecavalier to a new deal made him more of an asset to teams, and thus we manage to get back two very affordable and ready to contribute players into our lineup, and now for the first time in a long time, we have added picks assuring us of a role in next years draft and beyond. This was not a deal about winning, we know we can not win this deal. This was a deal about getting younger, stronger and using the space we free up to remain competitive."

The team still is believed to be shopping Hossa but if no deal is made in the next couple days, it is believed they will keep Marian in the fold. Meanwhile the GM was asked how he hopes to replace Lecavalier's offense and chemistry in the lineup.

"You can't," Steve answered, "but you can't stop trying. Vinny had an explosive talent for us, and will be deadly for the Aviators. They got a steal today. However to keep that dangerous duo streak alive would have meant being at our max cash with no ability to upgrade in any other areas. The over 3 mil saved here will be spent in auction to upgrade our offense and the pieces added will offset the loss a little. We still intend to ice a competitive lineup, it will just be more focussed on toughness and team work and less on individual stardom."

Lecavalier's contributions as a Reaper won't soon be forgotten. Perhaps the biggest impact any player has made in a Reaper jersey since Luongo joined the team in their second year, Lecavalier led this team to the finals this past year. He had 111 goals and 241 points in just 132 regular season games in Guelph. He was a plus 129 and had 19 GWG. Vinny managed 32 playoff points in 20 playoff games as a Reaper. He will be sorely SORELY missed.

With the Reapers,

Sal Trachan