Even in strictly hockey terms, the Flyers are in a pickle if they go into next season with Lecavalier on the roster. He will be professional about it, and won't rock the boat. In return, the Flyers will try their best to find ways for him to be effective within head coach Craig Berube's system that heavily emphasizes skating and a collective 200-foot game.
Doing so will be easier said than done, unfortunately.
Last season, Berube moved Lecavalier all around the lineup in an effort to find a spot where his still-considerable finishing touch could be effective while also minimizing some of his limitations. Lecavalier spent stints of varying lengths on all four lines. He was tried without success on both right wing and left wing as well as his accustomed center position. Unfortunately, no matter where he was used, he had trouble keeping up with the pace of play. The player's skating and defensive deficiencies were glaring.
In actuality, the spot where Lecavalier was most effective in the second half of the season came during his stint as fourth-liner center and power play specialist. However, that was not an arrangement that made either the player or the team very happy. Lecavalier is a proud player who is used to being a key contributor on his teams. He did not come to Philly to be a fourth line player or to shuttle around the lineup.
Unfortunately, the Flyers have essentially the same team they had at the end of last season. The one major change was the Scott Hartnell trade.
Right now, it would take a major leap of faith to believe that Lecavalier will fit the system any more easily than he did last season.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Bill-...loses/45/61343