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Flyers' Lecavalier to be a healthy scratch for 1st time in his career

John Geliebter / USA TODAY Sports

Vincent Lecavalier is about to experience another first in his 16-year NHL career.

The 34-year-old is set to take a seat as a healthy scratch for Tuesday's game against the San Jose Sharks, just over a year after signing a five-year, $22.5-million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.

"I think it's a competitive thing with him. I just don't see enough of it out there. I've got to see more," head coach Craig Berube said of the decision to bench Lecavalier, according to Frank Seravalli from philly.com.

"Guys that are playing in the lineup need to find urgency quicker. That's their job. We definitely need to play with more urgency, and we need to play with more structure in our game."

Lecavalier has recorded two goals and four assists with 28 shots on goal through 16 games this season, and didn't appear to be too pleased with the coach's decision.

"It's very hard to take," he said. "It was a tough night, when you're told something like that. I talked to (Berube). We had a conversation, but I'm out of the lineup. It's as simple as that."

The Flyers have lost four games in a row and eight of their last nine, leaving Berube to figure out how to get his team out of a serious and potentially season-ruining drought. For now, Lecavalier - who was actively shopped by the Flyers this past summer - will serve as the scapegoat for the struggling squad.

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