NHL: Flyers Trade Vincent Lecavalier, Luke Schenn To Kings

Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall did the seemingly impossible in today's NHL - he found a taker for an aging star with a bloated contract. Hextall sent Vincent Lecavalier to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, according to a report from Renaud Lavoie of TSA.

Shockingly, Hextall was also able to unload defenseman Luke Schenn as well, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

In exchange, the Flyers received Jordan Weal and a third-round pick.

UPDATE, 5:15 p.m.: Both teams have announced the move.

Lecavalier, 35, is far removed from his Cup-winning days in Tampa Bay. His $4.5 million cap hit, for this season and next, was likely the biggest impediment to a deal for a guy who has said repeatedly that he's willing to take any role available on a contender.

Over the last two seasons in Philly, Lecavalier has hit the ice for just 64 games. In that time, he's amassed eight goals and 13 assists. This season, he's seen playing time in just seven games.

He told ESPN's Pierre LeBrun recently that he just wanted a chance to play, to finish his career on a high note.

"But I still believe in what I can do and what I can bring," Lecavalier said. "I can bring leadership, whatever role a team would want me to do. I can play solid both ways. It's just a matter of having the chance to have some type of role. Whatever role that is, I'd be ready to fill it and help that team win. That's the most important thing at my age and where I've been; the last few years have been really tough. I just really want to win and help be part of that puzzle to help a team win."

Hextall, who has done everything in his power to erase the wrongs of Paul Holmgren's tenure in Philly, has given Lecavalier that chance. It sounds like this will be Vinny's last go-round in the NHL.

As for Schenn, he was acquired in exchange for Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk in a straight-up deal that is now almost too lopsided to be real. Schenn, a former first-round pick, continued his inconsistent play in Philly. In 29 games for the Flyers under new head coach Dave Hakstol, Schenn managed just two goals, three assists and a minus-seven. He is in the final year of a deal that pays him $3.6 million.

Of course, Hextall wasn't going to be able to get out from under Lecavalier and Schenn without eating some salary and early reports suggest that he'll be eating 50 percent of both player's cap hits.

The reaction in Los Angeles was, unsurprisingly, one of shock.

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NHL, Philadelphia flyers, Los angeles kings, Vincent lecavalier, Vinny Lecavalier, Trade, Report, Luke schenn