Vincent Lecavalier is not the player he was about five years ago. Flyers fans should not expect him to play at a superstar-caliber level on a regular basis. However, at age 33, he is still a quality second-line center who figures to be an excellent complement to top-line center Claude Giroux and a boon to the development of young linemate Brayden Schenn.
The Flyers wanted to add some size and skill to their forward corps, and Lecavalier adds both. He does not often play a physical style but, once in awhile, will get his dander up and dish out some punishment with his big frame. More importantly, he is hard to take off the puck and knows how to create operating room for himself.
I think a realistic expectation for offensive output this season is about 25 goals and 60 points if he stays healthy. That is plenty good enough for a second-line player, especially if the Flyers have a deep attack. If all goes according to plan, the Flyers could have six or seven players hit the 20-goal mark among Giroux, Lecavalier, Jakub Voracek, Scott Hartnell, Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and Matt Read.
Lecavalier is also good on faceoffs, averaging roughly a 51 percent winning percentage over the last five years. That's an upgrade, too. Between Giroux, Lecavalier and Adam Hall, the Flyers have three centers who should win more draws than they lose; which has been a rarity for the club in recent years. Assuming Sean Couturier continues to improve on faceoffs -- and I don't see any reason why he won't, despite it being a weakness thus far in his NHL career -- the Flyers could actually end up being one of the better faceoff teams in the Eastern Conference this year.
Lecavalier is OK defensively. He's better than Danny Briere defensively but is no Selke candidate in his own right. The addition of Lecavalier this summer means that Schenn will become a full-time left wing, but at least he won't be constantly switching positions and can settle in at one spot. The 2013-14 season will be a very important one in Schenn's offensive development. Hopefully, Schenn emerges as at least a 20-plus goal scorer in his third NHL season.
From a hockey standpoint, my only real short-range concerns for Lecavalier are about how well he'll fit Peter Laviolette's system. He's not really an up-tempo player, especially at this point of his career. That does not mean he can't be effective, but don't expect Lecavalier to fly up and down the ice.
One of the most common laments abut the departure of Briere -- apart from what a tremendous human being Danny is off the ice -- is the loss of his playoff productivity. Assuming the Flyers earn their way back into the playoffs after a one-season absence, Lecavalier is perfectly capable of picking up the slack.
It is true that Briere has been the more productive playoff performer of the two players in their respective careers, averaging a higher points per game in the postseason than the regular season. However, it is not as if Lecavalier became invisible in the five springs where his Tampa teams made the playoffs. Lecavalier has averaged .825 points per game (24 goals, 28 assists, 52 points) in 63 career playoff matches, compared to his .843 points per game average in the regular season.
In Lecavalier's last two postseasons, he has actually produced at a rather Briere-like pace. In 2007, Lecavalier racked up five goals and seven points in Tampa's six-game first round loss to the Devils. In 2011, he compiled 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 18 games after a 54-point output in an injury-shortened regular season.
Bottom line: There is plenty to like about Lecavalier's addition to the Flyers lineup. The fact that he is younger than Briere, came to Philly at a cheaper salary cap cost, is coming off a better regular season in each of the last two years and arguably does a wider array of things well makes his addition to the club an upgrade on the ice.
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WEDNESDAY QUICK HITS
* According to a recent French-language interview with Sean Couturier, the third-season NHL forward has made productive use of the long offseason, adding several pounds of muscle to his frame. In the section above, I talked about Couturier's need to improve on faceoffs. The added muscle should help him there, as well in puck battles along the walls.
* This Date in Flyers History: Gary Dornhoefer signed his first Flyers contract on Sept. 4, 1967. On Sept 4, 1979, the Flyers hired recently retired goaltender Bernie Parent to be their goaltending co-coach with Jacques Plante.
* Alumni Birthday: Former Flyers goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck turns 50 today.
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