Flyers Deal Gagne To Tampa Bay For … For … Not Too Much

 

With a payroll reaching over the salary cap and a few more players left to be signed, the Philadelphia Flyers needed to gain some cap relief. The player they chose to turn to was left wing Simon Gagne, who spent the entirety of his 10-year NHL career with the Flyers and had one year remaining on his contract that pays $5.25 million. On July 2, he reportedly agreed to waive his no-trade clause. That claim was later disputed by Gagne, but he understood the situation the Flyers were in and knew the writing was on the wall for an end to his tenure in Philadephia.

His future, like all the other left wings still sitting on the free agent market, hinged largely on the decision made by Ilya Kovalchuk. So, when Kovalchuk decided on Monday afternoon to remain in New Jersey, it appeared as if a whole new market opened up for Gagne. The Los Angeles Kings’ failed pursuit of Kovalchuk would have instantly made them a serious player for Gagne, as they reportedly already had interest in him.

But just a few minutes after Kovalchuk’s re-signing with the Devils was announced, a trade involving Gagne was also made. He was acquired by the Tampa Bay Lighting for defenseman Matt Walker and a 2011 fourth round draft. And just like that, as if he didn’t already look like one, General Manager Steve Yzerman became one of the smartest GMs in the league in just the few short months he’s held the position with the Lightning.

While Gagne was a cap dump for the Flyers from the onset, it’s hard to believe General Manager Paul Holmgren couldn’t have pulled a deal for something more than a 30-year old, injury-riddled defenseman who will turn out to be nothing more than a sixth or seventh option on the Flyer’s blue line. Oh, and a fourth round pick next year. To think that a team in need of scoring, such as LA, would not have forked over at least a second round pick is asinine. Holmgren clearly took the first deal in front of his face and gave Yzerman a hell of a steal.

"In adding Simon to the Lightning, we acquire a very talented player that will play alongside our top forwards," Yzerman said in a statement. "With his combination of speed and skill we are excited to have him with us and grateful he was willing to waive his no movement clause."

Offense is not particularly the Lightning’s top priority, but it’s hard to refuse taking on a 30-plus goal scorer when having to give up literally nothing in return. He will combine with the likes of Steve Stamkos, Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier as one of the most dynamic offensive forces in the NHL. Plus, there’s no denying Gagne’s two-way play will be a big asset on one of the top two lines in Tampa Bay.

And there really is no downside to this trade for the Lightning unless the somewhat fragile Gagne gets injured again. The team still has over $16 million in cap space and his one remaining year will not hinder contract talks with Stamkos, who could enter restricted free agency next summer, or Victor Hedman, who is eligible for that status in two years. If things don’t work out between Tampa Bay and Gagne, they part ways at the end of the year and Gagne becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer. If he fits in well, there should be enough money around to give Gagne a good piece of the pie while still leaving plenty over for Stamkos and Hedman.

Yzerman is already doing an exceptional job with this team and it should be interesting to see how he fills out the rest of the roster, with at least four remaining spots open at forward before the puck drops in October.