Vincent Lecavalier’s time with the Philadelphia Flyers has been beyond disappointing. Signed to a five-year, $22.5 million contract prior to the 2013-14 season, it was clear that Lecavalier would be held to some high expectations. The hope was that he’d benefit from new scenery after having his contract bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2013. Things haven’t gone according to plan (minimal offensive production and a repeated healthy scratch) and now Lecavalier believes he would benefit from a new opportunity.
Via Yahoo! Sports:
“Maybe it’s just a better opportunity I need. It happens to a lot of guys. Sometimes you just have to get out of it, try to get out of it and work hard through it and maybe another opportunity will happen.”
When Lecavalier has suited up this season, he has been mostly deployed on the fourth line. Obviously that’s not an ideal fit, but Philadelphia has maintained that position. A new opportunity may mean playing on a different line or playing more consistently, but those both may require a coaching change.
As he prepares to turn 35 in April, time is running out for Lecavalier to turn things around. With just seven goals and 11 assists in 52 games this season, it’s going to take a lot for the forward to reverse this slide. Maybe he would benefit from an expanded role, but the Flyers don’t appear ready to give the veteran additional playing time.
At the very least, Lecavalier may still end up in the NHL history books but not for his on-ice skills. The Yahoo! Sports article points out that Lecavalier’s total earnings may top every player in history.
Owed another $2 million roster bonus this summer, Lecavalier will have made $14 million of the $22.5 million from his contract before stepping onto the ice next season. Counting buyout payments from the Lightning that run through the 2026-2027 season, Lecavalier could earn the most money of any player in NHL history, with Jaromir Jagr the only active challenger.
Well, at least he’s got that going for him.
