Lightning center and captain Vinny Lecavalier underwent a “successful minor’’ arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday in Tampa, the team announced Tuesday.
  
He is expected to be out 3-4 weeks, but should be ready for the start of training camp on Sept. 17.
  
Lecavalier, 30, told team officials that he had been experiencing some irritation in his knee while skating and it wasn’t going away. A MRI indicated there might be a slight meniscus tear, but there was no tear, encouraging news for the team and Lecavalier, who is looking to re-establish himself among the NHL elite goal-scorers this season under new coach Guy Boucher. Although Lecavalier had 70 points last season, his 24 goals was his lowest total since he had 20 during the 2001-02 season.
 

-- Brian Landman