They never said they were "definitely" going to sign him, but according to Gagne, Homer had strongly implied that was going to be the case:

“All summer, the Philadelphia Flyers kept hinting that they wanted to offer me a new contract, and I even told Robert Sauve, my agent, not to negotiate with other teams,” Gagne told LaPresse. “We trusted them. We put all our eggs in one basket and we got caught. We never thought we’d be stuck in this situation at this time of the year.”

“I knew that hockey was a business, but with all the positive discussions we had with Paul Holmgren, I can’t believe I’m not back with them,” said Gagne, who was drafted by the Flyers in 1998 and spent parts of 11 seasons with the organization.

All depends on how technical you want to get on the whole thing, and how important it is to be right.
- jmatchett383

According to Gagne. But we don't have the other side's version of the story. And all we have is hearsay from Gagne.

I think they were just discussing the possibility of increasing the odds and making it possible for all non-PO teams to get a shot at the #1 pick.
- Tomahawk

They should do it like the Crosby draft. That was a good time and completely watchable despite the out come.

There isn't a single franchise I love on the face of the earth that I love more then the Philadelphia Flyers but how they treated Gagne last summer was awful.
- SuperSchennBros

Judging by Eric Lindros, they will bury the hatchet sometime around 2023.

According to Gagne. But we don't have the other side's version of the story. And all we have is hearsay from Gagne.
- MJL

I guess it is more important than cute 15 lb dogs.

According to Gagne. But we don't have the other side's version of the story. And all we have is hearsay from Gagne.
- MJL

None of us can confirm or deny the Flyers' side but Lecavalier, Streit and Emery all managed to get a deal from the team and the team was still looking to add by going after Daniel Cleary. Man am I glad we don't have Cleary.

Aren't all non-PO teams able to get the #1 pick now, it's just ridiculously hard? I know it used to be a 5-spot move, but I thought they changed that.
- jmatchett383

Yeah, so instead of the 14th worst team having like a 0.1% chance, they now have like a 0.5% chance.

They were also talking about the possibility extending the drawing through the top 3-5 picks.

According to Gagne. But we don't have the other side's version of the story. And all we have is hearsay from Gagne.
- MJL

Gags doesn't come across as the lying type... whereas we have ample evidence of Homer's duplicity.

Gags doesn't come across as the lying type... whereas we have ample evidence of Homer's duplicity.
- Tomahawk

What are the examples of Holmgren's duplicity?

And secondly, no one is saying that Gagne is lying. There was clearly some kind of mis-communication that went on. Gagne obviously beleived that the Flyers were going to sign him. Hockey is a business. Until you have a contract in hand and signed, you don't have anything.

Jesus, we're talking Gagne? (frank) I hope LA wins tonight so a trade can go down soon

I guess it is more important than cute 15 lb dogs.
- jmatchett383

Jesus, we're talking Gagne? (frank) I hope LA wins tonight so a trade can go down soon
- Jsaquella

- PhillySportsGuy

I am so playing metal at your wedding

I am so playing metal at your wedding
- BiggE

Enter Sandman as Ali walks down the aisle

I killed the thread with cute dogs

I killed the thread with cute dogs
- PhillySportsGuy

usual rush hour lapse.

Jesus, we're talking Gagne? (frank) I hope LA wins tonight so a trade can go down soon
- Jsaquella

I traded my dignity for a hotdog wrapped in a slice of cheese pizza a couple weeks ago. I'm surprised that didn't open the flood gates for more than the Boyle trade.

- PhillySportsGuy

Flyers centers for 2014
Giroux
Spezza
Kessler
Coors

Flyers centers for 2014
Giroux
Spezza
Kessler
Coors
- Winning

Just stay away from Kessler and Spezza

Flyers sign SHL winger Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. 29 year old, 20 goals in 52 games in former Swedish Elite League, 8 points in 8 games for France at WC

Flyers sign SHL winger Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. 29 year old, 20 goals in 52 games in former Swedish Elite League, 8 points in 8 games for France at WC
- Jsaquella

Fire hextall bum

Enter Sandman as Ali walks down the aisle
- PhillySportsGuy

So the goal is to be divorced on the same day you get married?

Flyers sign SHL winger Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. 29 year old, 20 goals in 52 games in former Swedish Elite League, 8 points in 8 games for France at WC
- Jsaquella

Now thats interesting, man

Just stay away from Kessler and Spezza
- Winning