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Lecavalier looking to move forward with Flyers: 'I am confident in my abilities'

Eric Hartline / USA TODAY Sports

Vincent Lecavalier is looking forward to a clean slate with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The veteran forward made no bones about his contentious relationship with Craig Berube, the club's now-former head coach who made Lecavalier a healthy scratch on several occasions this past season.

Barring a summer trade whereby general manager Ron Hextall finds another team to take the three years and $13.5 million remaining on his deal, Lecavalier will return to the team under new coach Dave Hakstol, and believes he has more than enough gas left in the tank to be a meaningful contributor.

"I'm still in shape," the 35-year-old told RDS. "I really just want to get my chance. I am confident in my abilities and I move on."

In 57 games this past season, Lecavalier scored eight goals and added 12 assists, marking the lowest point total of his career, while seeing a scant 12:39 of ice time per game, also a new low.

Lecavalier added he doesn't regret signing with the Flyers. He was enticed, at the time, by the prospect of playing under Peter Laviolette, who was fired early in the 2013-14 season.

The issues with Berube are now in the past, and Lecavalier feels he handled the situation as well as possible.

"I kept a good attitude," he said. "You do not want to be a cancer in the room. You want to stay a good teammate and that's what I tried to do."

Lecavalier confirmed he never asked for a trade, but conceded he'd be willing to explore options should Hextall present him with possible destinations.

His contract makes that unlikely, meaning he and Hakstol will need to become fast friends.

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