VOORHEES, N.J. -- Dave Hakstol has been impressed with Vinny Lecavalier’s work ethic in practice and his professionalism as a healthy scratch through the Flyers' first eight games.
Lecavalier’s benching is slated to end Thursday night when the 35-year-old forward enters the lineup as Pierre-Edouard Bellemare’s injury replacement (see story).
Chris VandeVelde will center his line with Ryan White at right wing.
“He’s been a good teammate and handled it like a good pro,” Hakstol said. “He’s worked very hard doing as much extra as he can to stay ready and stay sharp. That is what you would ask of a teammate.”
It’s awkward benching a guy who has over 400 NHL goals.
“In terms of respect for him and in terms of what he’s done in the game and the type of player he is, I guess I trump that,” Hakstol said. “He has been a great teammate through everything.
“We’ve approached everything day by day. We try to make good decisions every day to give ourselves the best chance to win. Has that been a tough situation? Absolutely, but he has handled it very well.”
NHL
Hakstol will play Lecavalier at left wing — his least desirable spot.
The question is, if the Flyers feel Lecavalier can't help them when he does get into the lineup, then why not play him at one or two spots where he feels he can — right wing or center?
Lecavalier's decline in speed has severely limited his playing options. Plus, Hakstol, much like his predecessor Craig Berube, obviously feels as though Lecavalier can play center anymore.
But why play him at left wing? Sounds like because White has been strong on the right side.
“He hasn’t played there a whole lot,” Hakstol said. “White is going to stay on the right side and Chris VandeVelde going in at the middle.”
Hakstol was asked several times why Lecavalier will go to left wing and he avoided giving a full explanation.
“Vandy will go to the middle and Vinny to the left side,” Hakstol said.
Why?
“Vandy has also played center,” Hakstol said.
The fourth line has been very good for the Flyers this season with White, VandeVelde and Bellemare averaging at least eight minutes at even strength.
“It will have a different look to it with different personnel, but that line has earned their minutes,” Hakstol said.
“They’ve done that by being real accountable in all three zones. But creating momentum for us. They have really played a role for our hockey team.”
Bellemare update
General manager Ron Hextall announced Bellemare will miss at least two weeks with a lower-body injury.
It appeared that Bellemare suffered either a right high-ankle sprain or right knee injury late in the first period of Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss to Buffalo. He was injured fighting for a puck behind the net.
Other injuries
Center Sean Couturier, who thought he play Thursday against New Jersey, appears to have had a setback. He has a concussion. Couturier didn’t stay on the ice long in what was just a 19-minute practice before players left the rink for an off-ice workout. … Goalie Michal Neuvirth (head injury) practiced and will come off injured reserve Thursday morning, allowing Jason LaBarbera to return to the Phantoms. Hakstol said he wasn’t certain whether Neuvirth will work Friday’s game in Buffalo despite the back-to-back games given his lack of activity.