Flyers Deal Simon Gagne to Tampa Bay for Matt Walker, Draft Pick

[lakingsfan19]

The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired 6’4’’, 215-pound defenseman Matt Walker and a fourth round selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for left wing Simon Gagne, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren.

“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.

Over parts of seven seasons in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues (2002-03 to 2007-08), Chicago Blackhawks (2008-09) and Lightning (2009-10), Walker has recorded 30 points (4G,26A) and 444 penalty minutes in 304 career regular season games, and two assists and 14 penalty minutes in 21 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.

A native of Beaverlodge, Alberta, Walker was originally selected by the Blues in the third round (83rd overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Gagne, 30, recorded 40 points (17G,23A) in 58 regular season games this past season and 12 points (9G,3A) in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help lead the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final. He recorded the game-winning goal in overtime of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal vs. Boston to give the Flyers a 5-4 win, as well as the game-winner in Game 7 of the series to give the Flyers a 4-3 victory.

He has spent his entire NHL career with the Flyers, and in 10 full seasons, has produced 259 goals and 265 assists for 524 points and 278 penalty minutes in 664 career regular season games. He ranks ninth on the Flyers’ all-time list in goals (259) and 10th in points (524) and games played (664), while placing fourth in both goals and points among left wings in Flyers history.

In 90 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, he recorded 32 goals and 15 assists for 47 points, ranking eighth all-time in Flyers playoff history in goals (32) and tied for seventh in game-winning goals (6).

Over the course of his 10 seasons in Philadelphia, Gagne led the team in goals on three occasions (2001-02, 2005-06 & 2006-07) and twice in points (2005-06 & 2006-07). He has also been recipient of the Bobby Clarke Trophy, as the team MVP, on two occasions (2005-06 & 2006-07), while also being named to the mid-season NHL All-Star game twice (2000-01 & 2006-07).

A native of Ste. Foy, Quebec, Gagne was selected by the Flyers in the first round (22nd overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

[gdameo]

wow tampa bay are going to be damn good in my opinion

[Philly Reign]

It's sad to watch him go, but it needed to be done. Trading his contract away will free up cap space and it's best we get something for him now while we have the chance. There's no way Homer would resign him to a newer contract after his last year.

Bitter sweet. Good luck, Gags. Philadelphia loves ya, man.

[T800m101]

F u c k

[The Woodsman]

Smith?

[Svyatoslav]

Per Damian Cristodero of SP Times: It's Gagne for Matt Walker and a fourth-round pick.

[Flyers2001]

Matt Walker... LoL The Bolts have no one to fight now.

Nice we have a good 6th or 7th dman combo.

Man if Walker cracks the line up with Shelly, Lappy, Carcillo, Richards, hartnell, Pronger, and OD. Thats nasty.

[Janssen25]

As a Devils fan, I'm glad to see Gagne go. He had a heck of a playoffs last year.

This was pretty obvious to be happening with Philly's cap issues.

[Humpzilla]

Originally Posted by Svyatoslav

Per Damian Cristodero of SP Times: It's Gagne for Matt Walker and a fourth-round pick.

I'm absolutely livid.

The Lightning go from being one of the toughest, to being the most exposed club in the East.

I hope Vinny and Stamkos go down with concussions.

[flyersrule]

its sad to see gagne go. im not gonna be expecting big things out of JVR and hartnell. well, i guess i need to expect hartnell to learn how to skate first, but whatever. i guess the flyers are gonna spend the season beating the **** outta opposing teams.

take notice NHL, the Broadstreetbullies are ****ing back.

[Active Stick]

Wow...quite a drop in toughness for Tampa this off-season.

Also: Philly is going to be beast if he stays in the lineup.

[The DZA]

Just another reason to not pick him in my pool for this year.

[Thrillhouse]

Good lord, Stevie Y robs Philly blind.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

I'm absolutely livid.

The Lightning go from being one of the toughest, to being the most exposed club in the East.

I hope Vinny and Stamkos go down with concussions.

Won't have to worry about that with Gagne, give him a few weeks.

Awful... simply ****ing awful. A very high end skill team now, but with no grit or protection.

Does this leave Nate Thompson as the only resident tough anything in Tampa?

[flyersrule]

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

Good lord, Stevie Y robs Philly blind.

2x for that matter. im not sure what is worse, the meszaros deal or this deal.