So somehow, some way, Paul Holmgren managed to do it.
Throughout the offseason he dragged out the possibility of resigning Simon Gagne, and alienated the most loyal non-Flyer out there in the process.
After fruitlessly pursuing Daniel Cleary, he of grit and glue and useless catchphrases, all of Philly’s eyes turned to the prospect of the Flyers bringing back Simon, who appeared all but in a uniform from the sounds of his anxiousness to continue his playing career in Orange & Black. Alas, this was not to be. Normally this sort of situation happens all the time, guys trying to latch on with clubs hoping to keep playing professional hockey, but Gagne’s case was an exception. After all this was the guy who, unlike Daniel Briere, did waive his NMC in order to help the Flyers alleviate some of what feels now like an annual salary cap issue, being sent in a pure salary dump maneuver to the Lightning for Matt Walker, a name that doesn’t strike fear in anyone’s heart, this right after scoring a series of clutch goals that helped carry the Flyers from last day of the regular season playoff seed to a Stanley Cup finalist.
He did this because he felt in the end that part of the deal was doing what was best for his former club, the one that drafted and groomed him into a star, and along the way a Flyers fan favorite. It was such an emotional affair that the Richards and Carter deals a season later don’t seem to hold a candle to how sad it was to see Simon go. The Flyers even went so far as to hold a video tribute to Gagne in the home opener that season, and even when he went on to win a Cup in L.A., I felt proud to watch him finally achieve the pinnacle of greatness even if he had to sport a different jersey while doing so. Last season it seemed like things were finally coming back full circle when the Kings, who at the time were using Gagne sparingly on of all places the 4th line, sent him back to Philly. While the numbers didn’t directly reflect it, he did make an impact of sorts upon his return, even winding up on the first line with Giroux and Hartnell at times. He still has the ability to gel with most of this club, and has tried to fit in where asked, even if he wasn’t big on the move.
Which leads to Gagne’s frustrations finally boiling over with Flyers management this week, when he revealed how angry he felt at being spurned after Holmgren had told his agent and himself for months that he had a great opportunity to rejoin the club. If only he’d wait until the team could LTIR Pronger, then they’d have the money. Gagne would have signed for far far less than what he made at the height of his being traded away to Tampa. He has spent time on penalty kills, played on the 3rd line, was still a solid puck mover and willing to do whatever it took to help this club.
All of this because Holmgren more or less hasn’t met a player in his mid-thirties from another club he hasn’t coveted. Was Cleary really the solution? Looking at the numbers both of these men have produced, I fail to see this incredible impact Cleary made over what Gagne has actually done for this club during his tenures here. Better yet, Daniel in a display of true class (because isn’t that what the hype was all about in the first place?) no showed at Flyers camp, and pretty much pronounced himself back with the Wings a day later. Yeah, real glue there, slick.
My belief is the Flyers perhaps will do the right thing here, and if they won’t sign Gagne, it’s for a solid reason. Like for instance, letting some of the youngsters get a crack at the NHL lineup. McGinn is back, Laughton is growing up quick, and I’d love to to see either of them get some time up with the big club.
If this is the case? Then Gagne will have to settle for a special place in our hearts. If not? It better NOT be for someone ancient, someone like Hal Gill, or I’ll be in the same canoe with Simon.
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