Flyers bring back Gagne
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Flyers bring back Gagne
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Flyers on Tuesday acquired LW Simon Gagne from Los Angeles for a conditional fourth-round draft pick, previously owned by Phoenix. It will turn into a third-round pick if the Flyers make the playoffs.
Gagne, who will turn 33 in three days and has a $3.5 million cap hit (pro-rated), will be in Philadelphia on Wednesday, a Flyers official said; he may play in the Flyers' game against visiting Washington that night.
Gagne played with the Flyers from 1999-2000 to 2009-10, and he scored the memorable winning goal as the Flyers shocked Boston, 4-3, in Game 7 of their epic playoff series. The Flyers won it after losing the first three games and falling behind, 3-0, in Game 7.
By acquiring Gagne, the Flyers added a great locker-room presence, but did they get better on the ice?
Gagne had no goals in 11 games with the Kings this year and was a healthy scratch six times. During an injury-plagued season last year, he had seven goals in 34 games. He returned from a concussion and played four playoff games for the Kings last year, getting his named etched on the Stanley Cup for the first time.
But the player known as "Gags" is clearly on the decline. In 2010-11, he had 17 goals with Tampa Bay.
Gagne's last "star" season was with the Flyers in 2008-09, when he had 34 goals and was plus-21. It was one of his four 30-goal seasons with the Flyers.
Gagne is the third former Flyer to return to the organization in the last six weeks, joining Brian Boucher and Mike Knuble.
Who's next, Chris "Bundy" Therien?
(more coming)
Gagne's a guy who brings it every game. He's injury prone but when he plays he's worth every bit of this trade. Great move by homer. Welcome home, Gags. I hope you can hoist the cup in orange too.— Fly Guy- please the reason Couterier isn't producing is because he is on the 3rd line, and doesn't get much power play time. He just doesn't get much time out on the ice it isn't hard to figure out. Its the same thing with JVR. He bounced around lower lines for us, and is actually being utilized in Toronto. Thats why Im glad we traded him, and got Schenn in return. He has been good for us anyone who says otherwise hasn't been paying attention. IN conclusion: We have too many skilled offensive players and not enough ice time for them all.— theeman1
- Everytime I read about a possible
trade it involved Matt Read. To me,
before he was injured, Read,
Simmonds and Jake Voracek were
the best and steadiest players on
the team.— olneyboy
