Kings Sign Simon Gagne to Two-Year Contract

[lakingsfan19]

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with unrestricted free agent left wing Simon Gagne, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Gagne, 31, played in 63 regular season games with the Tampa Bay Lightning last year and also in 15 playoff games with the Lightning. During the regular season, he recorded 40 points (17-23=40) and 20 penalty minutes while in the postseason he recorded 12 points (5-7=12) and four penalty minutes. The 40 points ranked fifth on the team.

Gagne has scored as many as 47 goals in a season (2005-06). He has also had seasons of 41 goals (2006-07), 34 goals (2008-09) and 33 goals (2001-02) in his career. He has scored at least 20 goals in a season on seven occasions and he has scored 17 goals each of the last two seasons while averaging 60 games played. He has registered 70-plus points on two occasions, including the 2008-09 season when he recorded a career-high 40 assists.

Gagne was originally selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first-round (22nd overall) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and of those players selected in the 1998 Draft, Gagne has scored the second most goals (Vincent Lecavalier has scored the most). Gagne played his first 10 NHL seasons with the Flyers from 1999-10 before he was traded to the Lightning prior to the start of this past season (at the time of the trade, Gagne was the Flyers’ longest-tenured player). He has played in 727 career regular season NHL games and has recorded 564 points (276-288=564) and 298 penalty minutes. In 105 total postseason games, he has 59 points (37-22=59) and he reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010.

During the 2010 playoffs, Gagne played a lead role as the Flyers bested the Boston Bruins in the second round as his club became just the third team in NHL history to come back from a 3–0 deficit in a series and win. Playing without Gagne, who served as an alternate captain, for the first three contests, Gagne returned for Game 4 and scored the game-winning goal in overtime. He added two goals in Game 5 and he scored the series-winning goal in the third period of Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

A two-time NHL All-Star (2007 and 2001), Gagne was a member of the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2000. With the Flyers, he won two Bobby Clarke Trophies as team MVP. He ranks on Philadelphia’s top-10 lists all-time in the following categories: games played, goals, points, even-strength goals, shorthanded goals, game-winning goals and shots on goal.

Internationally, Gagne has represented Canada at the Olympics twice (2006 and 2002-gold medal) and he has also represented his country in the World Championship, the World Cup and the World Junior Championship winning two silver medals.

The 6-1, 193-pound Gagne is originally from Ste. Foy, Quebec. He was born on February 29, 1980.

[lakingsfan19]

I don't like this at all and for 2 years? Not real happy. Have to wait and see the dollars.


Edit: Doesn't seem like that bad of $$$, so this could work.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Originally Posted by lakingsfan19

I don't like this at all and for 2 years? Not real happy. Have to wait and see the dollars.

Re-united with Richards. Could work wonders...

[skacore]

I didn't even know Gagne was a UFA? As long as the price tags not too bad it should be a good singing. After Gagne's miserable start last year he caught on fire towards the end of the season and showed up for the playoffs too. God damn L.A. are cup contenders this year IMO.

[lakingsfan19]

looks like 2 years 3.5 mil per

[thepolishkid88]

Eh. Worth it, he is also made of glass but in all honesty I think he could succed there. The problem is yet again health.

Pretty solid top 6.

[lakingsfan19]

Penner-Kopitar-Williams
Gagne-Richards-Brown

[Nightshade88]

Mother ****ers.

[lakingsfan19]

We really are Philly west.. I bet we will have a lot of people from 19144 tunning into the Kings games this year.

[NickDoh]

He was what was left. Hope he stays healthy and I won't judge for now. Just glad the Kings have a complete top 6. Cannot wait for the season to start.

[Grittzkey]

Past his prime...

[canuck2]

Injury prone. lost a lot in his wheelhouse. no longer a factor at all.

[lakingsfan19]

the question isn't just about Gagne, it's about the Kings. Are the Kings better now than they were last year? The team that took the Sharks to game 6 without out Kopitar? So look at the Kings Additions and Subtractions

Richards > Zues
Now is Gagne > Smyth (I would hope so)

So is it safe to say Richards & Gagne > Zues & Smyth? (Add Simmer there if they don't add a RW3)

When looking at the Pacific division you have to look at the SJS. They have set the bar on what you need to contend for the Division.

Right now Down the Middle looks like this
San Jose - Thornton, Couture, Zues
Kings- Kopitar, Richards, Stoll
Probably advantage Kings down the middle

Wingers, probably advantage Sharks

Top 6 forwards - real close

Defense, probably advantage Kings

Goal tending - real Close

So "on paper" the Kings now match up real nice against the Sharks and "on paper" should contend for the Pacific.

Now we all know what "on paper" means compared to actually executing and winning. We also have to take in account if everyone can stay healthy, ect...

[bengino]

3.5 mill is kind of steep, he's been really prone to lengthy period of times on the injury list.

[2yt4u]

Gags was a great player but he's a skating piece of glass these days.
Glad the dopey Flyers didn't sign him.