Gagne shipped to Tampa Bay
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Gagne shipped to Tampa Bay
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Left winger Simon Gagne's terrific 10-year career with the Flyers is over.
In a move that gives the Flyers cap space but severely weakens their offense, Gagne, 30, was sent to Tampa Bay for defenseman Matt Walker and a fourth-round draft pick in 2011 on Monday.
Walker, 30, had two goals and three assists and was minus-11 last season. The 6-4, 215-pounder was a third-round pick by St. Louis in 1998.
Gagne, who starred in playoffs against Boston and Montreal last season and was the longest-tenured player on the team, was dealt because the Flyers needed to free cap space; he will earn $5.25 million this season.
The Flyers are now overloaded with defensemen and thin on quality wingers, and they almost assuredly will now trade a D-man.
Walker has three years left on his contract, which pays him $1.7 million per season.
GM Paul Holmgren received lots of criticism after the trade was announced, but the deal cannot be judged until the next domino falls.
"This was a move to solidify our defense,” said Holmgren. “Matt Walker is a right shot defenseman that we like. He brings size, grit and toughness to our backend. Simon Gagne played 10 seasons for the Flyers and was not only a good player for us, but also handled himself in a first class manner on and off the ice.”
Walker, 30, appeared in 66 games during the regular season for the Lightning, recording five points (2G,3A) and 90 penalty minutes.
"My initial reaction was pure excitement,” said Walker. “To find out that I was coming to Philly, I don’t know if I would say it was a life-long dream, but I’ve always wanted to play in Philly and I thought I would be a good fit there.”
Talk about the trade in our NEW Flyers forum 
Sad to see him go. Classy guy who could do everything. Does the extra space open up a spot for Ash???— mark77m- Not much cap room with the 1.7 mil . added . . Homer could just go an get Turco . . cheap . . or maybe Carter and a d-man for Bobby Ryan . . .— ingy9
- Homer - I think we are good at D! Sheesh!— 24more
This trade stinks.- I guess he could not have traded him for an upgrade at goalie. Sorry to see it as a salary dump. I liked Gagne from the start. Had a helluva comeback in the playoffs.— P Even
- Way to be on top of breaking news Sam....you were about the 75th person to break this story. Hell of a job from the Inky's Flyers beat writer!!!— WadeThroughTheIdiots
- So our power play gonna look like this > pronger / timonin / carle / meszaros and richie . . . this way if we give the puck away . . we'd have at least 3 D back . . we'll never let up a shorthanded goal !— ingy9
- So, we bring back $1.7M in salary to ANOTHER defenseman, get a 4th round pick and no goalie prospect. Way to strike out Homer.— The Reddgie
- We're only a little over a million under the cap, so unless another trade is brewing (getting rid of a D-Man?), I don't see them being able to sign Asham.— CarterRocks
- Can u say salary dump?— johnny eagle
- Maybe Dave Babych is available.— RightWingHypocrite
- If there is one lesson I hope Homer learns is that you don't give out "no trade" clauses....this severely limits options in terms of where Gagne would have agreed to go, it also prevented us from dealing guys like Hartnell. Draft picks, signing older players, limited cap - all are problems for us, but no-trade clauses are the absolute killer.— SidGM
- Terible trade. We pay this guy 1.7 mil for three years? Why? What happens if he is in Adirondak? Does he have a Two Way? He is awful. Won't even start down there.— JimDunfee
sorry snipes- better find some "O" in a hurry!— sgamble077
