Bryan Murray stated at his July 1 press conference that he thought he had a deal in place to bring an NHL body into the Ottawa Senators organization via trade, and today that speculation is that it might be former first overall pick Vincent Lecavalier.
Lecavalier to OTT? Sens want Flyers 2 pick up salary and want something else for taking him off their hands ... #vinnysagacontinues
— Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchRET) July 3, 2014
Lecavalier just completed the first year of a ludicrous 5 year, $22.5M deal that he signed with the Flyers last summer after being bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
While Lecavalier is past his prime and far from the player he was even 5 years ago, he could still be a decent playmaker for the Ottawa Senators in the #2 centre role and playing alongside a guy like Bobby Ryan could make an impact. It would also allow Mika Zibanejad some more time to adjust to playing up the middle every night in a third line role and put Zack Smith in a fourth line slot.
It would help the Senators depth chart, and depending on how much of the salary the Flyers will pick up going forward and what the Senators give up in return it might be a worthwhile endeavor.
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It isn’t going to turn the tide of the season, and it won’t be the difference between making the playoffs or missing them for the second straight season, but it would bring in a name player, even if that name isn’t what it once was.
Critics of the deal, if it happens, would argue taking away a developmental roster spot from a young player just for the sake of bringing in a player who many have questions as to the desire to play Lecavalier still has.
He notched 20 goals and 17 assists in 69 games for the deep Flyers, and this would be a salary dump for a team that is traditionally at or over the Salary Cap.
It could be an interesting couple of days ahead.