From The Fourth Period:


According to various reports, the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning are speaking on a daily basis about a possible Vincent Lecavalier trade.

While the Habs have always been linked to having interest in Lecavalier, two separate sources told TFP this morning that this is the first time the Canadiens have made serious inquiries about the 28-year-old’s availability.

“[Montreal] may have called in the past just to test the waters, but this year appears to be quite different,” one league executive said.

Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $86 million extension with a no-trade clause in the summer, but that deal doesn’t kick in until July 1.

TFP has learned that the Habs and Lightning have exchanged proposals, but a deal is far from being agreed upon. There remains a difference of opinions in Tampa Bay’s management and ownership brass regarding the future of their captain.

It was originally believed that the Canadiens had offered center Tomas Plekanec, winger Chris Higgins, defensive prospect P.K. Subban and draft picks in exchange for Lecavalier.

TSN later reported a similar offer, but with defenseman Josh Gorges included in the deal.

Those discussions appear to have changed, as The Score television network claims the Lightning has asked for All-Star defenseman Andrei Markov to be included in any proposal for Lecavalier.

Tampa has reportedly asked for Markov, Subban and draft picks, but the Canadiens are not interested in parting with their star blueliner.

It remains to be seen if a trade will even be made, but discussions are ongoing.

Habster:

I’ll have more to say later