Despite snow, game is on; Gagne returning
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Despite snow, game is on; Gagne returning
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Despite one of the region's worst December snowstorms in history, the Flyers will still play the New York Rangers Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Wachovia Center.
A Flyers official said that since the Rangers have arrived in town, the game will go on.
The Flyers (15-16-2) and Rangers 15-16-3) have had similar seasons. Both got off to strong starts and have faded considerably.
After sitting out nearly two months, left winger Simon Gagne will return to the Flyers' lineup Saturday.
Gagne will be on a line with Mike Richards and Dan Carcillo _ and will see time on the power play.
It will take Gagne a while to regain last season's 34-goal form, but he will still give the offense a much-needed boost.
The Flyers were the NHL's top scoring team (3.6 goals per game) in early November; they have since fallen to No. 16 (2.76).
Gagne, 29, has been out since Oct. 25, missing 24 games following hernia and abdominal surgery.
Andreas Nodl, who had no goals and one assist in 10 games, was sent down to the AHL Phantoms to make room for Gagne.
You can read more on Gagne's return in Saturday's Inquirer, provided you can dig it out of the snow.
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Chris Pronger, Danny Briere, Ian Laperriere and Kimmo Timonen shopped at a Voorhees Target Friday for holiday gifts for the less fortunate. The items will be donated to Ronald McDonald House facilities, which help children in area hospitals....About1,000 tickets remain for today's game.......Jeff Carter and Mike Richards donated 75 sets of Bauer hockey equipment (including skates) to kids from the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation at the Laura Simms Skatehouse on Friday.
When's the last time Gagne's played a full season? 2005?— kjuggs77
Comment removed.
Glad Gagne's back but honestly, when you have the likes of Richards, Carter, and Briere on your team in addition to JVR, Giroux, & Hartnell it seems desperate and pathetic that an injury prone guy who hasn't played a single minute in 2 months is your savior.— Kanayd- Comment removed.
- I think this should be it for Gagne. I like him, he's a great player when healthy. WHEN healthy. He has missed a huge amount of time the past few years with concussions, injuries. The Flyers are already on a tight budget. If he cant stay healthy for the remainder of the season/postseason i think its time for them to cut their losses. I dont know if anyone would even take him and his salary on but if its possible i think that it would be best. i hope it works out though because he can be a huge asset for us if he can stay healthy. I also think the same of Briere. If Briere continues with his injuries its time for him to go but i doubt anyone would take on him or his salaries or the amount of years on his contract. We'd probabyl have to pay a big chunk of whats remaining. No one will take these guys with their injury history without us paying for a good portion of their contracts— philliekev04
kab- why do the always dump and chase. They're on their 3rd coach in 3 years, and have tons of new blood each year. What other in-game factor keeps them dumping and chasing?— Pelti- Gagne was awful when he did play this year, hopefully that was b/c of the injury. If he's no better, this team is in big trouble.— Tar Heel 1
- It's really ashame what has transpired out of Simon's career. He is only about 30 years old, but his body his taken its toll for the last decade plus in the NHL. He's not your average 30 year old player. Especially in the "old NHL" with all the clutch/grab/grinding that was in the game pre-lockout. He became a pretty good two-way player after bulking up a bit from his younger years. If he could stay healthy -odds are against this by the way- sure, he could help. We're talking about a guy, who if not for the multitude of injuries suffered the last few seasons, would challenge Richie as the best all around player on this club. I hope he stays healthy and can contribute. On a side note, Mike Rathje anyone??? Sweet deal for your sir.— AJWelk
- Damn do we need Gagne, not for the offense as much as he is the best two way player on the Flyers.— NickFotiu4HOF
- Gagne is the softest player on this team, maybe in all of hockey. Let me know when he goes lower than the circles in either end. i wonder how his bright yellow lamborghini handles snow. Sally— duffers
- Gagne played 79 games last season, missing 3 games is not that many in the NHL— BHite15
- Gagne prime time is over. He's gotten injured and he is scared of playing NHL hockey. Richards and Carter lack of productivity is the real reason why the team is in a slump. I hope these two wake up and step up before is too late if it is not already.— Folmi
don't expect much from him right away.— potus- Too late. Flyers dont make the playoffs. Stop and think before you let your fandom takeover your mind. I have been a fan since '80 and I have stopped buying into the propoganda. This team will never win until the '70s mindstate goes away. No playoffs for you!— T3rdEyevisual
- Gagne will play 4 games and contribute nothing, then complain of tightness/soreness in his groin/abdomen. Then he will be shut down for another 6 weeks. Another great job of rehabilitation by the Flyers' training staff. Book it.— UncleEddie
