Could Simon Gagne be Traded to Tampa Bay?
Written by Zachary Milliron, Thursday July 15 2010
The Tampa Bay Lightning has their eyes on Philadelphia Flyers Left Winger Simon Gagne; according to the St. Pete Times. Acquiring Gagne, 30, who in the past three seasons in which he was healthy scored 47, 41 and 34 goals, would make the Lightning automatic playoff contenders. It would spike ticket sales. It would make Tampa Bay relevant again in a market where it has been the butt of jokes the past two years.
Put another way, why wouldn’t Tampa Bay at least inquire about a proven goals and point’s producer who is being shopped by a team desperate to clear cap space? And to put it even ANOTHER way: Why wouldn’t general manager Steve Yzerman be salivating over the possibility of having his top two lines be (left to right) Gagne-Vinny Lecavalier-Marty St. Louis and Ryan Malone-Steven Stamkos-Steve Downie?
Gagne has only one season remaining on a contract that will pay $5.25 million, so the team would not be locked in to anything long term. The caution is Gagne’s history of injuries. He missed 24 games last season with groin and abdominal-muscle problems that required surgery and four playoff games with a broken toe. It should be noted, though, Gagne still had 17 goals and 40 points in 58 regular-season games, and nine goals and 12 points in 19 playoff games.
In other Lightning news, I personally attended the Lightning’s “Young Gun Game” yesterday and got to see the Lightning’s first round draft pick Brett Connolly in person on the ice in 2 periods of hockey, and he is the real deal. Call me crazy, but if the Lightning can get solid goaltending from newly acquired Dan Ellis and Mike Smith; an improved defense with the signing of Pavel Kubina; and the offensive fire-power from the stars I do not think it is too much to say that the Lightning could contend for the Southeast Division Crown and beyond.
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