BREAKING: Flyers trade deadweight players Lecavalier, Schenn
Ron Hextall seems to have pulled a rabbit out of a hat by trading two of the worst contracts in the NHL.
In a surprising development, the Flyers sent forward Vincent Lecavalier and defensman Luke Schenn to the Los Angeles Kings for forward prospect Jordan Weal and a third round pick. Philadelphia will also pay half of both players’ remaining contracts, which amounts to about $3.43 million; thus, the Flyers have saved $4 million in salary cap space.
Schenn was the return from the Maple Leafs when the Flyers shipped forward James van Riemsdyk. The trade ended up backfiring on the Flyers, as van Riemsdyk matured into a prolific goalscorer from the wing position. Meanwhile, Schenn has been exposed by opposing forwards for his slow game, and for his lack of strength near the net.
Lecavalier was signed to a hefty contract by the Flyers in the 2013 offseason, which still has two years left on it. The creative center failed to make plays offensively for the Flyers, whether from the center or wing spots. The former Lightning forward has been scratched for 22 straight games. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun was told by Lecavalier’s agent that the veteran will retire at the end of the season.
Jordan Weal, the top scorer in the Calder Cup playoffs last year, will be heading to Philly along with the draft pick. Most important is the cap room created by the deal, which will allow the team to make moves at the trade deadline, and in the coming offseason. The team can also now promote some of their defense prospects, including Russian World Junior superstar Ivan Provorov.
Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA Today
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