Tampa Bay Lightning will be without inspirational captain Vince Lecavalier for the final five games of the season after the team announced last night he will undergo arthroscopic surgery on a wrist injury.
Lecavalier will be having the same procedure he was scheduled to undergo last summer before he injured his shoulder in the penultimate game of the season in Washington.
"I'm sure this is something that has managed throughout the year,'' said Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet to Tampa Bay Online. "Maybe mentally [it had an affect on his game] but it's hard for me to say it has because he never came to me and used it as an excuse because he's that type of player. But I'm sure it must have bothered him somewhat, mentally and physically.''
The surgery will be performed by A. Lee Osterman at the Philadelphia Hand Center later today. Osterman previously operated on Lecavalier's left wrist to repair damage to the triangular fibro cartilage during the summer of 2007 with a successful result.
"Obviously, it is disappointing that Vinny will not be able to finish the season, but we feel that it is in both his and the team's best interest to have the wrist operated on now," said Lightning general manager Brian Lawton. "Vinny has been battling this injury all season and I really can't say enough about his ability to play through the pain and discomfort."
Lecavalier's season ends one goal short of 30. But by getting the procedure done now, it ensures that he will have a full summer to train and be ready for the 2009-10 season.
He misses games at the Devils tonight, then in New York with the Islanders, before home games against the Penguins and Capitals and the season-ender at the Atlanta Thrashers.
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