Vincent Lecavalier not considering retirement

Vincent Lecavalier definitely still wants to play in the NHL.

A healthy scratch in 20 of 27 games and mired in an apparent stalemate with a Philadelphia Flyers team that signed him to a sizable contract back in 2013, the veteran center admitted to having some tightness in his back - as was reported earlier Tuesday - but fully believes he can be a contributing member of the team if given the chance.

"Obviously I haven't played in a while, but the games I've played I haven't played much," Lecavalier said Tuesday, according to Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post. "I believe in what I can do. Obviously you need an opportunity and you need the ice time to produce no matter how good you are or if you're in your prime or not.

"You still need the minutes to be successful and I believe if I did get those minutes, I would (produce). I believe in myself. I've said that all along, but I'm not in that situation here."

Clearly, then, the 35-year-old isn't considering hanging up his skates, especially with two years left on a contract that carries a $4.5-million cap hit.,

"Honestly I haven't thought about (retiring early)," he said. "It's something very ... I don't want to say personal, but within yourself. It's not anybody that makes that decision up for you. It's a personal thing. What I'm saying is that for me, I haven't thought about it. In my mind I'm here and practicing and trying to get better."

Lecavalier will not play Tuesday in Brooklyn, while the Flyers are set to make some sort of announcement in regards to his status on Wednesday.