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They have a new old familiar face returning to the bench. Now, it looks like he’ll get to coach their best player for a long time if things work out.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and superstar center Vincent Lecavalier are very close to announcing a new mega-deal worth a reported $77 million over nine years. The 28 year-old Quebec native has played his entire NHL career with the franchise after being selected first overall a decade ago helping lead it from league doormat to Stanley Cup champions four years ago.

One of the game’s best players had another outstanding season amassing 40 goals and 52 assists for 92 points finishing in a three-way tie for sixth in scoring. Over the past couple of seasons, he’s totaled exactly 200 points (92 goals, 108 helpers) while netting a combined 26 power play goals, six SHG and 14 game-winners. In fact, Vinny has posted seven deciding markers in each of the last three seasons proving just how clutch a performer he is.

The 6-4 223-pound pivot was entering the final season of a four-year $27.5 million contract where he’ll make $7.167 million. In 710 career games over nine seasons, he’s tallied 273 goals and 329 assists equaling 602 points.

Tampa will be charged an average of $8.55 million when the new deal takes effect. However, if Lecavalier’s still playing in the final year at age 37, he’ll only get $3 million.

Analysis: This was a no-brainer for the new management in St. Pete. Lecavalier’s easily one of the top five best players in the game and would’ve been wildy sought after had he become available next summer. In order to assure Lightning fans that they’re serious about competing, they needed to get their best player locked up and looked to have done just that here. Now, they just need a couple of solid defensemen and hope that Mike Smith proves his worth in net after coming over from Dallas.