I understand the anger Gagne feels. However, we don't know both sides to the story.

The Flyers simply not offering a guarantee of a PTO should have been something of a warning that he was not in their plans. A PTO is not binding and it doesn't force anyone to make any promises, and yet the Flyers were not willing to even offer him one. It shouldn't have been the Cleary news that made him wary-it should have been the Hal Gill PTO

Secondly, Gagne's dealings with the Flyers have been through his agent. It's entirely possible that the agent oversold the Flyers interest in bringing back Gagne. Just like Holmgren denied the reports that Cleary and the Flyers had agreed to a deal and the "news" was a plant by an agent, Sauve could have been telling Gagne that they Flyers were more interested than they actually were. Also, the Flyers interest may well have dried up when they heard just how big-or small-a paycut that Gagne was willing to take.

Third, Gagne could have demanded a guarantee from the Flyers and said, if you can't guarantee me something, I'm going to start actively shopping myself.

I'm jealous.
If you go and taste please report back!
- Marc D

You're OK in my book marc

Seems like some good old fashioned hate in the Baie-Comeau Drakkar vs Rimouski Oceanic game

agreed. well said (edit: was supposed to be a response to above jsaq post)

it always sucks when things don't work out the way you want them to (btw: aren't gagne and lecavalier good friends? even more of a reason for gagne to really want to be back) but that doesn't prove that the flyers did anything non-classy. i feel for gagne because i'm sure he had his heart set on coming back. doesn't mean i fault the flyers though

The thing I don't get with Gagne is right now he is a better fit for the third line left wing then anyone else they have available. I could see why they wanted Cleary but he isn't coming here. So for me it comes down to is McGinn, Talbot, Raffl, or Laughton or another player better then Gagne there? Talbot is fine, but to be honest I'd rather see Gagne and have Max on the 4th line. Maybe whoever gets that spot will shine this season, who knows.

I don't like how the whole thing ended but would agree that we don't know the whole story, so this is a bit pointless to debate.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Giroux, Gill, Gagne and More
- bmeltzer

i have to say, business or not, i'm growing tired of long-time flyers ending their flyers career in an awkward/bad-taste/jilted manner. gagne deserves better.

agreed. well said (edit: was supposed to be a response to above jsaq post)

it always sucks when things don't work out the way you want them to (btw: aren't gagne and lecavalier good friends? even more of a reason for gagne to really want to be back) but that doesn't prove that the flyers did anything non-classy. i feel for gagne because i'm sure he had his heart set on coming back. doesn't mean i fault the flyers though
- FlyerMike18

I don't disagree that the Flyers could have handled it better. But to say they were complete bumholes about it is a stretch.

When Gagne was an all star caliber player, his agent would routinely drag out contract talks until late July/early August. I wouldn't be amazed if he stuck to his asking price, figuring the Flyers would eventually bend and meet it, to avoid the PR backlash of losing Gagne again.

There's two sides to this story, and none of us know both sides.

The thing I don't get with Gagne is right now he is a better fit for the third line left wing then anyone else they have available. I could see why they wanted Cleary but he isn't coming here. So for me it comes down to is McGinn, Talbot, Raffl, or Laughton or another player better then Gagne there? Talbot is fine, but to be honest I'd rather see Gagne and have Max on the 4th line. Maybe whoever gets that spot will shine this season, who knows.

I don't like how the whole thing ended but would agree that we don't know the whole story, so this is a bit pointless to debate.
- Marc D

I disagree. I don't think Gagne's a better fit, because they need grit on the third line. Read and Couturier are not going to bring a ton of sandpaper to the rink each night. Not that they are soft, but neither is a grinder that can be a physical presence every night.

Gagne couldn't bring that, either.

i have to say, business or not, i'm growing tired of long-time flyers ending their flyers career in an awkward/bad-taste/jilted manner. gagne deserves better.
- hammarby31

personally im sick of all this gagne stuff


the flyers did him a solid by trading for him last year from a team that had him as a healthy scratch.

personally im sick of all this gagne stuff


the flyers did him a solid by trading for him last year from a team that had him as a healthy scratch.
- Crimsoninja

excellent point

The thing I don't get with Gagne is right now he is a better fit for the third line left wing then anyone else they have available. I could see why they wanted Cleary but he isn't coming here. So for me it comes down to is McGinn, Talbot, Raffl, or Laughton or another player better then Gagne there? Talbot is fine, but to be honest I'd rather see Gagne and have Max on the 4th line. Maybe whoever gets that spot will shine this season, who knows.

I don't like how the whole thing ended but would agree that we don't know the whole story, so this is a bit pointless to debate.
- Marc D

i think it's possible that laughton could bring a lot of the same qualities that cleary would've brought to that 3rd line lw spot (aside from veteran presence, of course)

he's supposedly defensively responsible with a fair amount of grit in his game: maybe he can bring that solid-on-the-forecheck yet defensively responsible element that we need for that line. it just seems to me like he has the tools, at the very least. i'm excited to see if he can step up and take that spot

i think it's possible that laughton could bring a lot of the same qualities that cleary would've brought to that 3rd line lw spot (aside from veteran presence, of course)

he's supposedly defensively responsible with a fair amount of grit in his game: maybe he can bring that solid-on-the-forecheck yet defensively responsible element that we need for that line. it just seems to me like he has the tools, at the very least. i'm excited to see if he can step up and take that spot
- FlyerMike18

Laughton could easily be a similar player to Cleary one day, maybe in the near future. I'm guessing that the Flyers figured that Cleary being around would allow them to not rush Laughton.

Laughton could easily be a similar player to Cleary one day, maybe in the near future. I'm guessing that the Flyers figured that Cleary being around would allow them to not rush Laughton.
- Jsaquella

definitely. and it avoids the "maybe" element of it all. cleary's been proving what he can do in that regard for years, so what he brings is more firmly established. despite the talent and projections, you're taking a risk (at least if you're in a win-now mentality) with such an inexperienced player

Laughton could easily be a similar player to Cleary one day, maybe in the near future. I'm guessing that the Flyers figured that Cleary being around would allow them to not rush Laughton.
- Jsaquella

If they are only going to mainly be asking Laughton is to be defensive & on the PK then it's okay, if they are asking him to also come in right away and contribute on offense then I'd say they are rushing him because even he's said it's the one part of his game he needs and wants to work on.

Roll Tide
- Flyers1218

Since my son's a freshman and at the game ..... dare i say

I understand the anger Gagne feels. However, we don't know both sides to the story.

The Flyers simply not offering a guarantee of a PTO should have been something of a warning that he was not in their plans. A PTO is not binding and it doesn't force anyone to make any promises, and yet the Flyers were not willing to even offer him one. It shouldn't have been the Cleary news that made him wary-it should have been the Hal Gill PTO

Secondly, Gagne's dealings with the Flyers have been through his agent. It's entirely possible that the agent oversold the Flyers interest in bringing back Gagne. Just like Holmgren denied the reports that Cleary and the Flyers had agreed to a deal and the "news" was a plant by an agent, Sauve could have been telling Gagne that they Flyers were more interested than they actually were. Also, the Flyers interest may well have dried up when they heard just how big-or small-a paycut that Gagne was willing to take.

Third, Gagne could have demanded a guarantee from the Flyers and said, if you can't guarantee me something, I'm going to start actively shopping myself.
- Jsaquella

personally im sick of all this gagne stuff


the flyers did him a solid by trading for him last year from a team that had him as a healthy scratch.
- Crimsoninja

Great point Crims!

personally im sick of all this gagne stuff


the flyers did him a solid by trading for him last year from a team that had him as a healthy scratch.
- Crimsoninja

If the Flyers are all about making moves to make the team better regardless of any history or sentimental attachment to the player involved, wasn't trading for Gagne last year such a move also?

Did they re-acquire him hoping to increase the team's productivity, or was it a favor to a former good soldier who was languishing on the bench?

If the Flyers are all about making moves to make the team better regardless of any history or sentimental attachment to the player involved, wasn't trading for Gagne last year such a move also?

Did they re-acquire him hoping to increase the team's productivity, or was it a favor to a former good soldier who was languishing on the bench?
- 77rams

I think it was definitely a way to improve the team. And they were able to do Gagne a favor in the process.

If the Flyers are all about making moves to make the team better regardless of any history or sentimental attachment to the player involved, wasn't trading for Gagne last year such a move also?

Did they re-acquire him hoping to increase the team's productivity, or was it a favor to a former good soldier who was languishing on the bench?
- 77rams

There's a flip side to that. Putting the team's productivity to the forefront. If they don't feel that Gagne is the right player to sign, why is it a problem that they decided not to? But yet they've been criticized for it. And I'm still puzzled by your comment that the Flyers handled Gagne with low class with his move to LA.

I think it was definitely a way to improve the team. And they were able to do Gagne a favor in the process.
- Crimsoninja

Hopefully, they'll be able to repeat that process again. Gagne shouldn't leave the team (if he eventually does) with a bitter taste in his mouth.

Hopefully, they'll be able to repeat that process again. Gagne shouldn't leave the team (if he eventually does) with a bitter taste in his mouth.
- 77rams

Leave what team? Flyers have already said they aren't interested in Gagne at this point.

The first moment of NHL hockey is about to begin.

I give that singing of the Anthem a solid C+

The first ever NHL instance of hybrid icing just occurred. I'm probably the only person in the world that cares about little instances of history being made like that.