Vincent Lecavalier Could Have A Bounce-Back Season With Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are a confusing franchise. When they are doubted, they can make a run to the Stanley Cup Final; but when they have high expectations, they can’t even make the playoffs. They have a bonafide superstar in Claude Giroux, and one of the better supporting casts in the NHL. They have Wayne Simmonds, who has really come into his own the past few seasons.

They just gave Jakub Voracek an eight-year extension. They also just re-signed Sean Couturier to a long-term contract. When you look at the Flyers’ roster, however, one name jumps out.

Vincent Lecavalier is a player many might have forgotten. After being bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning two seasons ago, he signed a five-year deal with the Flyers. In his first season, he scored 20 goals and did what he could to provide leadership to a young team, but it seemed like he forgot how to play hockey last season.

He scored 20 points last season, which was his worst output ever. He looks like he got really old overnight. He may not fit with the Flyers, who score with a fast-paced offense. He could just be getting too old for this team.

Maybe, though, he still has one really good season in him. From what I understand, he isn’t dealing with any nagging injuries. He is being doubted, which sometimes brings the best out of veterans. He will get to play for a new coach after not working out with Craig Berube. Dave Hakstol is probably watching hours of tape of Lecavalier to see how he can bring the superstar back out of him. He is going to figure out what he is doing differently, and he could change the way Lecavalier is playing.

There is still no guarantee that Lecavalier will be on the Flyers’ roster at the start of the season, but if he is, he will be much better than last year. When players that good can’t do it anymore, they usually hang it up. Lecavalier isn’t ready to do that because he knows he has something left. This season, he will prove he is worth his contract. If the Flyers are going to make the postseason, it will depend on Steve Mason in net and a comeback from Vinny.