The Tampa Bay Lightning have decided to buy out Vincent Lecavalier's contract, the team announced Thursday. Lecavalier, 33, has seven years and $45 million left on his deal, which carries a $7.72 million yearly cap hit. Tampa will have to pay Lecavalier $32.67 million in the buyout, a source told ESPN.com, which includes an $8 million bonus that had to be paid out in full. The remaining salary is paid out at two-thirds, $24.67 million over the next 14 years. "Vinny has been a significant reason for many of our past successes, including the 2004 Stanley Cup, and his contributions to the community are immeasurable," Tampa general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement. "The Lightning organization is indebted to Vinny; we thank him for all he has done here and we wish him well as he moves forward. Source: ESPN
