The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired Simone Gagne today, it was announced, in exchange for Matt Walker and a 4th round pick. In making the move, the Lightning have rounded out the their scoring lines as well as cleared significant cap space as well. From the press release:
“In adding Simon to the Lightning today, we acquire a very talented player that will play along side our top forwards,” said Yzerman upon making the announcement. “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. This trade not only makes us a better team in the short-term, it helps create long-term flexibility for us, which all along has been one of our top priorities.”
Gagne, 6-foot, 195 pounds, has played in 664 career NHL games, all with the Flyers, recording 259 goals, 72 power play goals, 11 shorthanded goals, 47 game-winning goals and 524 points with a career plus-143 rating. He has put together two seasons with 40 goals or more, four with 30 goals or more and seven with 20 or more. Gagne ranks ninth on the all-time Philadelphia goals list, 10th for points and 11th for power play goals. He was awarded the Bobby Clarke Trophy, given annually to the Flyers’ most valuable player, following both the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.
“I’m very excited right now,” Gagne said. “I’m looking at this opportunity as a new challenge and a new start. Tampa Bay was a team I was more than willing to waive my no move clause for. I really like the direction the team is headed in with a solid owner, Steve Yzerman as GM and Coach Boucher. I’m really looking forward to playing with guys like Lecavalier, Stamkos and St. Louis . I’m excited to be a member of the Lightning and I’m looking forward to starting next season in Tampa Bay .”
In trading for Gagne, the Lightning will bring a top 6 that not many teams in the Eastern Conference will be able to match.
This article appears in Jul 15-21, 2010.