Agent: Lecavalier can't finish career on high note if Berube's coaching Flyers

Vincent Lecavalier is not a happy man.

Set to be made a healthy scratch by Philadelphia Flyers head coach Craig Berube for the 17th time this season, Lecavalier - under contract with the club for three more years - is faced with the prospect of squandering the later years of his career.

According to his agent, Kent Hughes, Lecavalier would be willing to retire and terminate his contract early if it meant moving out of Berube's doghouse and on to a new opportunity.

Hughes told Randy Miller of NJ.com:

The situation hasn't met either side's expectations in Philadelphia. If Vinny wants the opportunity to end a fantastic career on a good note, it's not going to happen so long as Craig Berube is head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. I'm sure if Vinny found a good environment ... an opportunity to go to a new team and end on a good note, I wouldn't be surprised if he retired before finishing the term of his deal.

The possibility of foregoing a year or two of his contract could render Lecavalier more attractive on the trade market, as teams might be more likely to take him for a year or two.

It's believed Lecavalier was almost traded to Nashville this past summer, where he would have played under head coach Peter Laviolette, a man who played a part in his decision to sign with the Flyers.

At 34 years of age, Lecavalier clearly feels he has something left to offer. That's not lost on general manger Ron Hextall, who may look for a trade partner this summer - if he decides to retain Berube as coach, that is.

"We'll have discussions at the end of the year," he said. "I'll say this: Vinny's been in the league for a long time and been a very good player. It's a tough situation for everybody. It's hard on Vinny. It's hard on me. It's hard on the coaches. It's hard on us."

Lecavalier has scored 27 goals and added 28 assists in 120 games with the Flyers.