The Hockey News: Headlines: Multiple sources confirm Meszaros to Lightning deal in the works

Multiple sources confirm Meszaros to Lightning deal in the works

Andrej Meszaros contract impasse with the Senators could have him on his way out of Ottawa. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)

Adam Proteau
2008-08-29 16:08:04

With the rumor mill swirling around Andrej Meszaros’ future as a member of the Ottawa Senators, one thing is certain: the Tampa Bay Lightning want to make him a member of their defense corps, but haven’t yet finalized the course of action that will allow them to do so.

Two high-ranking NHL sources confirmed to THN.com Friday that the Lightning are extremely interested in bringing the restricted free agent defenseman to Tampa Bay, but because they currently do not have their own 2009 third round draft pick that would allow them to sign Meszaros to an offer sheet, Tampa’s attempts at acquiring him may have hit a roadblock.

From there, the picture gets a little less clear. A well-placed source in Tampa Bay told THN.com the Lightning had not yet submitted an offer sheet to Meszaros, but instead had attempted to re-acquire their third round pick from Pittsburgh (dealt away in the June trade for the negotiating rights to former Penguin Ryan Malone) so they could press on and submit the offer sheet to the NHL and NHL Players’ Association for approval.

However, Lightning management has been completely rebuffed by Pens GM Ray Shero, who does not wish to be even remotely associated with an RFA offer sheet.

Because of Shero’s reticence, the source said, Tampa Bay has been attempting to finalize a trade for Meszaros with Senators GM Bryan Murray that would not include the first, second and third round picks necessary for an offer sheet to work. But, according the source, Murray currently has “no impetus” to work out a trade for the 23-year-old blueliner.

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“Until Bryan wants to talk, or unless Ray changes his mind, there’s not much (the Lightning) can do,” the source said.

Phone messages left for Shero were not immediately returned.

Another source – the same one that told THN.com Thursday Meszaros had agreed to terms with a team other than Ottawa on the framework of a multi-year offer sheet – maintains the offer sheet was presented and signed by Meszaros and that the presentation of that offer sheet to the player has resulted in discussions between the Sens and Lightning that “could lead to a trade within the day.”

The same source also told THN.com they had been told Tampa Bay in fact have agreed to a tentative trade with the Penguins to re-acquire their third rounder, but was trying to swing a direct deal with Ottawa for Meszaros before going that route.

COMMENTS (11)

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Dustin Posted
(2009-04-30 06:55:08)

I just saw this now as a link from the Pensblog. Yeah, let's just give back Tampa Bay their draft pick because they made an oops giving it to us not realizing they needed it for this deal...right. What is Tampa Bay willing to give us in return. We aquired that pick in a deal for them to talk to Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts prior to July 1st and more picks if they signed (which they did). So what's in it for us if we give the draft pick back? A big fat nothing, that's what. Way to go Shero, keep up the good work. Maybe Tampa's GM will get a lesson in how to be a GM.

Karl Posted
(2009-04-30 06:53:40)

Honorable? Shero is a dong. No one ever questioned the Islanders after they traded the Oilers back their pick for the Dustin Penner sheet. Get real. After how much he mortgaged the future of the Pens for depth in their system in the Hossa deal - he should be getting all the picks and young depth (Jussi or picks) he can cause their Islanders castoffs are going to be a joke and it makes them look more like the Pens before the lockout than anything. and anyone who thinks that these sheets is inflating prices is a goof. whats inflating the prices is a rising cap and revenue to make it possible to keep expanding the market and contract size. one that market revenue hits its peak (and it will), these contracts are going to come down out of necessity or the league will go BROKE. this league's market isnt going to expand forever. it might raise in a phantom sense but as expenses and energy go up, it will all be relative.

Jim Pond Posted
(2009-04-30 06:53:40)

It appears that Murray is being quite clever in this. Nobody in Ottawa wants Meszaros back at the type of dough he is asking for - and it looks like some fool somewhere is willing to pay him. Frankly, for any fan who watched the Sens play last year, Redden and Meszaros were huge contributors to their second half collapse. In fact, rookie callup Brian Lee outshone both of those guys every time he was on the ice. Come on, $4.5 for this guy is a joke, and Murray knows it. Now, it's all about seeing what he can get for him. I say, get a bag of pucks if you can, and then go calling on one of those teams over the cap limit that have a half decent D man. Murray's real challenge is *not* fleshing out his defence corps - it's replacing Stillman. Talk about Prospal I think is bang on - Murray's primary task to be done is to consume his remaining cap space signing a top 6 forward, and once that is done get his last defenceman. This whole RFA situation with Meszaros only complicates that action item.

Adam Posted
(2009-04-30 06:53:40)

Karl: Maybe he is a dong, but that doesn't mean he can't be honourable too. History has seen many honourable dongs, including Joe Clark, Gerald Ford, and Joan of Arc... I'm not saying I would blame him, you misunderstood. But if he doesn't believe in the offer sheet route, then it is a principled decision he makes not to facilitate one. To add to what I said before, though, he may simply be doing it for fear of making his own team a target in the future. Besides, Isles management has seemed dysfunctional at best for several years now, no one expects much from them. Perhaps I wasn't clear when I talked about salary inflation. I was talking about the inflated nature of Meszaros' proposed salary, which, in my opinion is more than he should get (but that's a different argument), not necessarily those at large. However, when one person does sign an inflated contract, that does help contribute to others getting such contracts, as they can point at that guy and say "I want what he's getting". You're right, the cap going up is what allows these contracts, but I think if you asked around, you'd find most analysts would say that many of the free agent defencemen this year were signed for excessive amounts and/or terms. I consider offer sheets just another form of free agency - which it is. Just because the cap goes up, doesn't mean teams should keep pace. You're right the cap will level off, and when it does, there will be some awfully upset GMs who suddenly can't fix their holes with new found cap space.

Pierre Posted
(2009-04-30 06:53:39)

He're the latest I have heard from a close source who works with the Sens Management Team. It's being rumoured on their sports radio station now. Murray has asked for an impact player as well instead of the sweep of 3 draft picks because of the 3rd Round Pick Issue. The deal on the table on the table is Gary Roberts, 1st Round Pic 2009 and 2nd Round Pic 2010. Another deal currently proposed is Meszaros for Vinny Prospal straight up.

moonknight Posted
(2009-04-30 06:53:39)

I'll give a damn when whatever's going to happen actually happens. All this offer sheet/CBA stuff hurts my head. I guess that's the cue for clever people to accuse me of being unintelligent but whatever. All I really care about is who ends up where in the end.

Adam Posted
(2009-04-30 06:53:37)

Yes, but Shero would be powerless to stop that... by sending the pick to TB, he'd be facilitating the salary inflation... I don't think it matters anyway, I don't see a deal being worked out... I think Murray is happy to watch Mesz stew knowing that his dream deal is so close yet so far... I think it would take a pot slightly sweeter than the offer sheet compensation to get Murray to make the deal

flo Posted
(2009-04-30 06:53:37)

st-louis against mez is what i say should happen. ottawa wants a top 6 forward and tampa wants mez. either that or let's trade mez for their 1st and 2nd pick an jokinen. works for me.

Caz Posted
(2009-04-30 06:53:36)

Good point Adam but if the Sens and Bolts work out a deal, wouldn't Tampa just resign him to the same amount they offered anyways? Meszaros will still be overpaid even if the Pens don't get involved. As a Pens fan, I hope Shero is just playing hardball so that Tampa will sweeten the offer. If they are throwing Jokinen in the offer, he should jump on it cause they need a winger and they could use another shootout specialist after losing Christensen.

Adam Posted
(2009-04-30 06:53:35)

that's pretty honourable by Shero... I respect that! Of course, if the deal with meszaros is as has been rumoured, I think I speak for most Sens fans when I grant Shero permission to send that pick back to TB... of course, he's probably doing it because he has the opportunity to stimey a grossly inflated salary that could cause him troubles in the future if used as a precedent

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