Flyers reacquire Gagne from Kings
Sitting two games under .500, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren sent a conditional 4th round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for the team's fourth all-time leading scorer at left wing, Simon Gagne.
Flyers reacquire Gagne from Kings
Frank Seravalli
Simon Gagne is coming home.
Sitting two games under .500, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren sent a conditional 4th round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for the team’s fourth all-time leading scorer at left wing. The pick belonged to Phoenix and was acquired by the Flyers via Columbus in last June's trade involving Sergei Bobrovsky.
Gagne, who turns 33 on Friday, was a healthy scratch for Los Angeles the last four games and six times overall this season. He won his first Stanley Cup with the Kings last season.
“I’m happy to get that chance,” Gagne told RDS’ Renaud Lavoie. “It was tough not to play. I’m going to a place I know well. It’s like going home, I know everyone there and I’m going back to where it all started.”
The scouting report, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, is that Gagne is as healthy as he has been in a long time, but simply did not fit into Kings coach Darryl Sutter's plans.
The Flyers traded Gagne to Tampa Bay on July 19, 2010 – just a few months after his heroic playoff run which carried Philadelphia to the Stanley Cup final – in exchange for Matt Walker and a 4th round pick.
Gagne has netted 62 points in 108 games since leaving the Flyers – and 22 points in his last 45 regular season games with the Kings. He had an apparent concussion in December of 2011 and underwent offseason neck surgery last summer.
He was back in the area in November for Scott Hartnell's Hurricane Sandy charity game in Atlantic City during the NHL lockout.
Gagne posted 259 goals, 265 assists and 524 points in 665 games with the Flyers. His career in Philadelphia spanned 10 full seasons, making him one of the town’s longest-tenured athletes at the time.
This is the last season of Gagne’s two-year deal, which carries a pro-rated salary cap hit of $3.5 million.
The Flyers are an institution - and an Old Boys club. Gagne is the first of many former players the Flyers have reacquired this season alone, including Ruslan Fedotenko, Mike Knuble and Brian Boucher. At last count, more than 60 players have either been reacquired by the team or hired to work in a front office role following their playing days.
The Los Angeles Times reported the Flyers will owe Los Angeles a third round pick if Philadelphia qualifies for the playoffs, otherwise it will remain the fourth round pick that originally belonged to Phoenix.
Holmgren also revealed forward Tye McGinn will miss "at least two weeks" after suffering a fractured orbital bone in a fight with Toronto's Mike Brown on Monday. Thus, Harry Zolnierczyk will likely stick with the team. Have no fear: Zolnierczyk said he'd gladly vacate his No. 12 jersey in deference to Gagne.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
Comments (68)
What's the worst we could do in the
draft, Darnell Nurse, Nikita Zadorov
or Ryan Pulock?— olneyboy- Hey the Flyers have to play boston too. Maybe Im a dinosaur, but i did not like what i saw vs TOR. Be careful a few weeks back some idiot posted "who cares about toughness we need 2 points" this is obviosly a person who does not understand hockey, or competitive sports for that matter. Those 2 points were achieved that night and the Flyers played a very tough game.— pittsvilleflyer
- I must have been the only one that saw Toronto coming— pittsvilleflyer
- Gagne's always been my all time favorite player right after John LeClair. Small payout for a big move. Gagne can help Coots, bring energy we seem to lack at times, and he can score. Plus he's a great locker room guy. I'd like to move Talbot and Fedotenko if we're making room for big Buff, but I doubt the Jets would be interested. Anyway, welcome home Gagne. Go Flyers!— Fly Guy
- Great that will give Joe Witale(or some other "garage leaguer") afresh target this spring. That was a disgrace Toronto came to town w/out Orton and a good kid like Tye McGinn has to answer the bell. HEY GAGS BETTER KEEP YOUR HEAD UP! Not sure but did Saros beat up any of the pretendquins sweddish/finnish/european d/men tonight— pittsvilleflyer
- Oh joy, another average player on a very average team. I wonder how long it will be till he's on the injured list with another concussion. Never could figure out the love affair with this guy. Never got the job done here, and really didn't help that much in LA last year.— paris4053
This move is a start i the right direction- I'd like to see Gaggs on a line with Jerome Iginla and one of the kids— SyddBarrett
- At least we know he isn't afraid to shoot...he may have success with Briere. Briere is a good setup man...and they know each other.— Phillyfan666
- Please stop with the pro-rated stuff, Frank. The amount they may pay him is pro-rated, but his hit to the cap is the AAV of the contract. Calculating the cap daily is for accountants.— sklandog
- As long as the new coach knows how to use Gagne effectively, this is a good deal. Until then, this team is still lost.— Hexy4GM
- If he still has some snap in the wrist shot and is defensively responsible he will be an addition who helps put people in the right places rosterwise. This is a low risk ( 4th round draft pick ) for a team still trying to find themselves after losing players from the top 2 lines through free agency, trades and now Read out with an injury, McGinn out two weeks. Stabilizing the lines even with a 32 year old Gagne on a 3rd line really makes a difference. Sometimes subtle things make a bigger difference in the whole.— Steelmanpa
- McGinn's out with an orbital bone
fracture. Out at least two weeks.
Please, no more trades, Snider.— olneyboy - Welcome back Simon!!— dogman5
- Gags could be a nice help for this team due to his experience. It wasn't too long ago that the naysayers on this forum said bringing Jagr in here was a big mistake but wouldn't we love to have him back again! Welcome back, Simone!— vietnamvet14
- They brought back Gagne? Any chance they can talk Bobby Clarke into suiting-up? After all, he played on the Flyers' last Stanley Cup-winning teams.— gotedge
- Trading away draft picks in order to make the playoffs (and an early exit). Saw this coming a mile away & I expect Holmgren to make at least one more trade where he moves a younger player & a higher future draft pick for another veteran scorer.
Curious to see if Gagne has anything left in the tank unlike Knuble whose done.— PhillyGuy77 - Next trade: the Hansons. "We're puttin' on the foil, coach!"— raven13
- Gagne is a good guy and was a great player. Hopefully he can help the team.— Phillies2008WSChamps
- The writer is perhaps being gracious, as he should, Gagne's a class guy. But Sutter has a pretty simple formula in LA: doesn't matter if you're scoring, if you work you play. Defensive responsibility is absolutely critical for forwards in LA. Not sure what need this fills for the Flyers, unless Holmgren thought they were in danger of going under the cap. Speaking of, the Kings were under the cap before (despite having the entire SC roster under contract), and just cleared another 3.5MM with this move, and they now have like half a dozen draft picks that they picked up for guys that weren't even playing. Compare/contrast.
Hexy4GM, that is your cue. - The Philadelphia Retreads!— slade1955
- fyi folks - not sure where you are getting your information but the flyers have absolutely no cap space. if they got Weber/Suter/Parise they would have been over and dumped salary, it never happened so they never dumped salary. Go to www.capgeek.com to get the information.— jbruder02
- I hope this trade will shot Mike Knuble right into space.
Hartnell Giroux Voracek
Briere Schenn Simmonds
Gagne Couturier McGinn
Rinaldo Fedotenko Talbot— Nitroglycerin - maybe they can sign eric lindros out of retirement too— AlexSp
- Low level risk for a 4th rounder but why? Scoring? Veteran leadership? Homer just got bored and justified this week's paycheck by making this move. It doesn't help the team move any closer to the goal of winning a cup. Takes a spot away from a youngster. A nothing trade.— philly58
- 3 words, ha ha ha......one of the biggest chokes and biggest punks in the history of the Flies.— TomM
- Terry Murry, mind fuc*s Mike
Testwuide and trades him for, yet
another center. What about a
defenseman?!?
Now, we have "gags" back.
Snider and Homer, have you ever
heard of building through the draft?— olneyboy - tomorrow, homer is going to trade for Eric Lindros too.— Ryan
- He can show the team what a championship ring looks like.— suporma
- Just throwing it outthere ..Hockeybuzz stating that besides acquiring Gagne they have an interest in acquiring Byfuglien from Jets...certainly would help defense but at what cost??— flyers1000
- For the love of god now please send knuble away. He's borderline worthless.— Stuffandthings
- A resurgency in my beloved Broad Street Bullies.... Starting to show signs of life now with reacquiring Gagne, now how about Richardson or Carter and we will be solid, I would love to see enforcer/tough guy Carcillo back as well for motivation, but we shall see. Let's go Flyers!— ICEInvestigator55
- Luke Richardson?? How about Richards.. — tarheelno1
- Why are we bringing back more older players? I like Knuble and Gagne and Boucher, but this is a young man's game. Keep the draft picks; rebuild the defense. We've got plenty of offense. This is not a playoff team until they play better defense and get better goaltending. Bryz may be a little better than last year, but don't think he's the answer to, how many years now of, average goaltending.— WillyC
- This acquisition is just the latest example of why this team will never ever win a Cup until Old Man Ed leaves - sure it's admirable that the old coot likes to reward past Flyers with jobs throughout the organization but how does giving every single guy who ever played for you a job even when that player is long past their prime a way to improve your organization? Take a look at the list of Flyers' scouts - it's like looking at the team roster from 1980-2000. The whole club has become moribund because of all these years of incestuous hirings. For Godsakes hire some people with experience learned outside the Flyer "family". Idiots.— schnitzelboy
- schnitzelboy, could not agree more! Not many Flyers fans share this sentiment, but it's the truth. It's time for a culture change down at the Nepotism Center. 38 years without a Cup is a long time. — Tim Jackelpappy
- Great guy..great Flyer...Can he play defense or goal?????..cant hurt but wouldnt expect much help— flyers1000
Welcome home Gagne!!— dianne16- I don't think it will help much considering he can't crack the Kings lineup consistently even in a lesser role, but they also aren't giving up much so its a no brainer not to take a shot. Also, Channel Goodness, yes he's 32 but his ooncussions and inuries make him an OLD 32...kind of like Utley. Maybe he can turn his career around and find a new role as a defensive specialist who can chip in a few goals here and there...like a more skilled Max Talbot.— FlyerAdam30
- I am really glad to see him back here. Thought it was cr_p that he was traded, just like JVR.— truthfirst
- Thanks Homey.
- I wonder what he is going to do? Does this mean "Little Petey is out on the street. Welcome back I guess? Homer is a world class screwball!!!!— quigly46
- He's 32 going on 38, that's the problem.— easy
- I wonder what he is going to do? Does this mean "Little Petey is out on the street. Welcome back I guess?— quigly46
- I thought Simon was pushing 40! Zolnercyzk should give him his 12 back. Although Harry will probably lose his roster spot for him.
Why not. Can't imagine a 4th round pick will hurt.— TongueWagger - Love Simon, he has the skills and the hands, but he certainly isn't fast which I think hinders him in today's game, even though he is only 32. But I am glad to say that I'm glad to have him back when they shouldn't have traded him in the first place. The Flyers have been "missing" something. Too bad we can't also get Jagr back.— LAFlyer
- Bring back Brind'Amour.— johnny eagle
Uh...There are some posts saying they "hope he has some gas left in the tank"??
I know it's deceiving because he was with us for so long. But he's only 32.- Nice! Maybe Michal Handzus is also available.— Sidney Crosby
Simon has always been one of the most beloved Flyers and his 2010 playoff heroics were ignored by Homer when he was traded to Tampa.
But in reality you have to hope he has a little gas left in the tank and will not succumb to more injuries. Still, it will be great to see him back in Philly!
P.S. I remember Simon signing autographs at the Shore Mall years ago, he took the time to add a personal message to each fan's pic.- You really are a mess.
— FlyersLosersFor38Years -
Glad he got his name on the Cup, already, because it might take a few more years in Philly. Can't complain about a fan favorite, and can only hope he has something left in the tank. This team screams mediocrity, with a handful of elite players. Got to buy out the Bryz contract with the new CBA "Amnesty". With that cap space and Pronger off, the Flyers might be busy in trying to put a team back together.
Anyway, as to Gane, he had his best years here, so welcome home.- You are very ignorant. Bryz isnt going anywhere. I would be VERY suprised to see that happen. VERY. We wont have much cap space next year with the cap shrinking — Sabunn
- Always liked Gagne, but can't imagine that this is going to make much of a difference for this team...— bigdaddyG
- I like it. Now who else we gonna grab? Other teams I think are gonna dump salaries. I say go shopping...we are not out of this yet.
— Poppys - I think these small moves show Homer will be very proactive in the next few weeks. We have cap space preparing for the Weber and Suter deals that never happened.
- What man calls themselves a "boy"? Fruit.
— FlyersLosersFor38Years - Pretty scary to consider. I imagine a Cindy poster-sized Penqueen cave troglodyte. Lets try just to ignore the freak, and enjoy the Flyers beating the Penqueens AGAIN.
- — FlyersLosersFor38Years Posted 12:15 PM, 01/27/2013
PhillyFruitinNYC is back. Who calls themselves a "boy"???? Fruit.
— FlyersLosersFor38Years Posted 7:55 AM, 02/17/2013
Where’s bigmouth FlyerFruit4Life????
— FlyersLosersFor38Years Posted 9:40 AM, 02/14/2013
Mcfruit had 18 points in 63 games last year in the minors. He stinks.
POLLY WANT A CRACKER?
- Appreciate the defense while my back was turned "Parrot".
So, our #1 TROLL, a/k/a "Big Tom threw 3", "Supreme One", "bangyourw6", is back with his favorite fictitious persona.
He can't stand that I won't let him trash our boards with his mere presence, and schizophrenic multiple personalities.
Face it Losers, you sleep with a Cindy poster in your Penqueen girl cave in mommy's basement. Add, no life as well, and that sums it up. - We dont know by how much but the cap is shrinking next year. Dont think anymore moves will be made unless someone HUGE comes available. — Sabunn
- Did you read the CBA? It allows for Amnesty, so you can unload an unpopular and ridiculously bad contract. Whatever you think of Bryzgalov, and he hasn't shown anything like an elite goalie would. Flyers could have had Vokoun, but were too scared by the frantic base, to DELIBERATE and come up with a smart choice, not a NINE year contract.
I'm sure you also don't follow the AHL, where there is talent, and trades possible. But Homer will be going for offensive power, if anything.
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Reach Frank at seravaf@phillynews.com.
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