Art Williams, who had the hockey IQ of a bag of hammers, called him the "Michael Jordan of Hockey" once he was drafted. This was because Jordan was hot at the time retiring after winning his 6th championship. That was a bit of hyperbole, but the things he said after that sentence weren't. Williams said some things that should have been correct as well. He said that for sure he is a "future Hall of Famer" and that in "3, 4, 5 years he'll be the best player in the game." Those two claims were not crazy to see happening.
I think people forget about the hype of Lecavalier. He was hyped up quite a bit in his draft year. Other than the odd scout who liked David Legwand better - I never understood this - it was Lecavalier that was miles ahead of the rest of the pack. A skilled forward with at times a bit of a mean streak who was 6'4" and could stickhandle as good as anyone. It had scouts drooling. Colorado had 4 1st round picks in 1998 and if I remember correctly they offered Tampa that for the 1st overall pick.
The thing I never understood was why it took him so long to hit his stride. He had a good 2nd season with 67 points and then two seasons where he was going backwards. I am not sure where he fits on the 2002 Olympic team but that start in 2001-'02 ensured he was not making the team. Ironically, Thornton started slow too but had really hit his stride by 2001 and 2002 and never looked back. Lecavalier took longer than that. Even in 2004 he had 66 points and you'd expect him to be vying for the Art Ross by then. 3 players on the Lightning that year outpointed him: St. Louis, Stillman and Richards. In the playoffs he was 4th in scoring with even Frederik Modin outpointing him. I am not saying he didn't have some big moments that spring, I am just saying you expected more.
The 2004 World Cup MVP happened but keep in mind he was only added to the team when Yzerman bowed out. Richards was picked before him without any injury replacements. But you felt post lockout he would start dominating, yet he didn't right away. 2006 he had a strange season with 75 points. 3rd in Lightning scoring.
2007 and 2008 were great years, I know Cooke nailed him right at the end of the 2008 season but how much do people think this affected him? I know Cooke can be public enemy #1 but the hit didn't look bad at all. It was just a shoulder check. I know it was worse than it looked but I know for sure that in the summer of 2009 he was still thought to be on the 2010 Olympic team and his early play that year sort of made him an afterthought. Other centers such as Staal, Richards, Toews, Getzlaf and Bergeron replaced him. And despite being just 29 he never got back to that high level. Which is a shame, he was a treat to watch.