Vincent Lecavalier may be headed to the operating table instead of the World Hockey Championships after the season.
According to the St. Petersburg Times, Lecavalier's agent Kent Hughes says the Tampa Bay Lightning centre may require surgery on his bothersome left wrist after the season.
But even if surgery is not required, Hughes told the newspaper it is unlikely his client will suit up for Team Canada in May. The Lightning were eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday.
Lecavalier, who underwent arthroscopic surgery last summer, had the wrist checked out in Philadelphia Friday by the orthopedist who performed the procedure.
While no results of the examination were revealed, Hughes expects Lecavalier will need to "rest (the wrist) and see how it reacts" for the remainder of the season.
Lecavalier is expected to be in the lineup Saturday when the Lightning battle the Panthers in Florida.
The World Hockey Championships get underway May 2 in Halifax and Quebec City.