Lecavalier signed with the club on Thursday and will reportedly earn $300,000 US a month. He will report to Kazan later this month.
Lecavalier's Tampa Bay teammate Brad Richards is expected to sign with Kazan and a Russian newspaper is also reporting that Kazan is negotiating with veteran forward Alexei Kovalev.
"I've always wanted to play in Europe, and especially in Russia," Lecavalier told The Canadian Press. "It's a great opportunity to play with some great players like [Atlanta Thrashers star] IlyaIlya Kovalchuk and with Brad coming too, it's even better."
Vincent Lecavalier has signed with Russian club AK Bars Kazan. (CP Photo)
Lecavalier joins Kazan, a team which is owned by a rich oil company and boasts such NHL stars as Kovalchuk, Darius Kasparaitis of the New York Rangers, Nik Antropov of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Fred Brathwaite of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Alexei Morozov of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
A key member of the Lightning's Stanley Cup team, Lecavalier had nine goals and 16 points in 23 playoff games last season. The native of Ile Bizard, Que., also picked up seven points at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, and was named MVP of the tournament in helping Team Canada win gold.
According to the International Ice Hockey Federation, there are now 245 NHLers playing in Europe during the current lockout. The Czech league leads the way with 52 players, Sweden is next with 48, followed by Russia with 45.
with files from Canadian Press
