Vincent Lecavalier was a healthy scratch for the first time in his illustrious, 16-year career yesterday as his Philadelphia Flyers took on the San Jose Sharks. Lecavalier was hurt and frustrated by the decision, and made clear it was an occurrence he would prefer to never have to endure again.
"I just want to work hard and get back out there. I know what I can do. I believe in what I can do," said Lecavalier, according to Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Mentally, it's tough. It was tough this morning, but I've got to move on and get ready for the next time I'm out there."
As an aging player with declining skills and failing confidence, it's going to become more and more difficult for Lecavalier to regain his prior form and, thus, a starting spot, even on a Flyers team that can't seem to get out of its own way on most nights.
Lecavalier joined Philadelphia just prior to last season after being sold on becoming a member of the club by then general manager, now club President, Paul Holmgren and then head coach, Peter Laviolette.
Laviolette lasted all of seven games into the season before being relieved of his duties when he was replaced by Craig Berube, and Holmgren has since handed the player personnel keys to Ron Hextall.
Thus, it's not surprising that, according to Eklund of Hockeybuzz.com, Lecavalier is not only available in trade now, but has been for some time.
"According to my sources, this past summer Lecavalier turned down a possible trade to a Canadian team in the east, and the Flyers and Predators were closing in on deal when the Preds opted for Jokinen instead."
There has also been word that Lecavalier will consider retirement after next season, TSN Canada's Darren Dreger reported. His contract with the Flyers runs through 2017-18 and carries a yearly cap hit of $4.5 million, per Capgeek.com. Such a decision would carry no dead money penalties, and would provide the team some much-needed cap relief.
Lecavalier, despite playing in only 70 games last season, still managed to pot 20 goals and 17 helpers, per Hockey-Reference.com - no small feat, even for a player of his prodigious skill and even more prodigious reputation.
Lecavalier does hold some value as a still-quality player with a strong locker room presence, but the problem facing the Flyers and any team potentially interested in acquiring him, is that, whether the reason is injuries that are keeping him out of the lineup or just fading athletic skill, he is simply no longer producing at a rate comparable to his current salary.
