Simon Gagne Goes to Tampa
Simon Gagne has been traded from the Philadelphia Flyers to the Tampa Bay Lightening in exchange for Scott Walker and a fourth round draft pick. The trade opens up cap space for a Flyers club that was sitting $2.5 million above and still in need of a starting goalie.
Simon Gagne
When able to play, Simon Gagne is one of the league’s most effective wingers, however, in recent seasons Gagne has had trouble staying healthy and has not played a full season since 2002-03.
Gagne was drafted 22nd overall by the Flyers in the 1998 National Hockey League entry draft. He was brought directly into the league and wasted no time getting on the score board. Gagne had successful first seasons in Philadelphia, nevertheless, injury problems began to set in as early as his second year in and he was limited to 69 games. Gagne fought through two more years of injuries before posting his best numbers in 2005-06, scoring 79 points in just 72 games. He continued to put up strong numbers over the next four seasons, but struggled with injuries throughout. Last season, Gagne played in 58 games and tallied 40 points.
Flyer’s Perspective
The Flyers were $2.5 million above the salary cap prior to trading Gagne, therefore making this deal a must for Flyer’s general manager Paul Holmgren. The public was tipped off to the Gagne move when Holmgren signed controversial Russian star Nikolai Zherdev, thus making him expendable.
The Flyers will not miss Gagne too much, as they are stacked up front. In addition, the fact that the Sainte Foy, Quebec native has not been able to stay healthy since he was drafted limits the effects of upon his departure.
In the deal, the Flyers acquire defenseman Walker, who is set to make $1.7 million next season, meaning Holmgren will probably end up moving him to the American Hockey League in order to take his salary off the team’s books. The fourth round pick is also somewhat inconsequential as the player selected will most likely not make much of a splash until much later on.
This was an entirely cap based move by Holmgren, who simply needed to lower the team’s overall cap, and with a salary of $5.25 million, Gagne was the most sensible move.
Lightening’s Perspective
For general manager (GM) Steve Yzerman and the Lightening, Gagne provides them with another piece in a rebuild, which has already seen some player movement from the Florida based franchise.
Tampa boasts a strong group of forwards, with Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Ryan Malone, young sniper Steven Stamkos and now Gagne, the top six group is set to go for next season. Nevertheless, Yzerman still has a lot of money to spend. The team remains $19 million below the cap, and still has restricted free agents Steve Downie and Paul Rangers to sign.
Gagne will bring a scoring punch to the Lightening and give them a legitimate second line threat. It is likely that the first line will once again feature the lights-out tandem of St. Louis and Stamkos, while the second will house Lecavalier and Gagne. Perhaps even more important to Yzerman and the rebuild is the fact that Gagne’s massive contract expires at the end of the season, at which time the club can try and resign the winger for less money, or let him walk and continue to move forward with youth.
At 30 years-old, Gagne is going to have to put up some incredible numbers next season if he is to expect a contract similar to his current one. In order to do so, Gagne will have to stay healthy, something that has not come easy for the former Olympian.
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