Gagne shipped to Tampa Bay
Left winger Simon Gagne's terrific 10-year career with the Flyers is over.
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 
If he plays in the minors his salary does not count or if it does only a small portion— shanehockey28- Ok so if the Flyers were to trade a D-man who would that be? Pronger, Mezaros, Carle, Coburn, Timmonen, O'Donnell, and now Walker. Plus you cant bank on all of those guys staying healthy all season long.— shanehockey28
- So what it comes down to is Mezzaros and Walker for Gagne...Which makes no sense because we did not gain anything in Cap space...I would have stayed away from Mezzaros and gone after a free agent defensemen...Yezerman just took Homer to school, he got rid of roughly 7mill in salary for 5mill and add a 20 goal (potentially 30 goal) scorer...— kadhia
Comment removed.- Lousy move,Homer.We give up a perenial all star and get back a 6th or 7th journeyman d-man with a 1.7 mil salary back?Should of traded Gags for draft picks or an established goalie.Nice move!must of been those 2 goals this year.Can you say healthy scratch.— PhillyFaninFla.
- dear 24more and jmanship 16, this trade has nothing to do with strengthening the d, and it's too early to judge, because what matters is what homer does now with the cap space. one d-man must be traded, as the author said. sign asham. you've still got some cap space left. trade the $4M/year d-man we just got from tampa, and we'd have lots of cap space... might we still get a real #1 goalie? (yeah, who's left...)— Richard S
- When did Amaro become GM of the Flyers?— The K Man
- I would've rather seen Homer get better draft picks than that nothing Walker.— bedece1
- I suspect the trades are not done. This appears to be a salary dump and a set-up for more trades. Too early to judge Homer on this. Gagne was a wonderful player who was skilled and easy to like, but an objective view would admit that we need to get some younger skill players and number 1 goalie. If we eventually move in those directions great, if this turns out to be just a salary dump with no other "shoe left to drop", then Homer will be judged harshly. Remember Cliff Lee?— JohnFC
- Best defense since Gary gaga)Galley and Rick Natress !!— LiLAlConroy
Sorry to see Gagne go. Class act and excellent player. Could be a huge mistake.
