What were Gagne's main deciding factors? Would you believe: cap space. Ironically, he didn't want to be with a team in a similar situation the Flyers had put themselves for a couple of reasons. Primarily, he is not looking at this as a one-year rental. That may or may not be the situation in Tampa Bay, but he wanted to know that there would be plenty of cap room to sign a multi-year contract past this upcoming season.
Surprisingly, the Detroit Red Wings had expressed interest and wanted to add Gagne, but with less than $4 million in cap space, the idea of joining one of the most successful franchises in hockey didn't seem too appealing. The same can be said for his hometown Montreal Canadiens.
Ironically, it was conversations with former Red Wing and Tampa GM Steve Yzerman sold him on the idea that he could become part of the Lightning's rebuilding process, and Gagne feels they are a playoff team that will only get better.
There can't have been that much interest, they got outbid with a mediocre defenseman and a 4th round pick. The wings don't really have the cap space this year, and definitely wouldn't next year with Howard and a couple of others needing raises.
I'm not surprised that the Wings would want Gagne. Great player, despite the injury history. But I can't wrap my head around how they might have acquired him. The numbers don't make sense.
The numbers don't make sense.
Yeah, really. Philly wouldn't have wanted to take salary back, but Detroit would've HAD to send a good chunk of salary back.
If they were going to get Gagne, they probably would have offered slightly better garbage to the Flyers and then done a salary dump elseware. Considering how little the Flyers got for Gagne, I'm sure the Wings considered the deal; the sticking point was probably what they'd have to dump and how much they'd get back for it. The Hawks are in the process of sucking the salary dump market dry.
As a Wings fan, I'm completely indifferent.
I am a bit surprised Tampa wanted him. I don't see Gagne addressing any other primary concerns… I've chalked it up to Yzerman snagging a bargain, period.
If they were going to get Gagne, they probably would have offered slightly better garbage to the Flyers and then done a salary dump elseware.
Yeah, but to take on $5M in salary, they'd have to dump something(s) significant.
The more I think about it the more I bet it's just Holland putting it out there that he's interested in Gagne's services should he become a free agent next summer.
Great deal by Yzerman. Some pundits are saying he's making the mistakes of the past ownership group, trying to win now. The difference is Gagne has a reasonable cap number for his talent level, and if he has a poor season, his contract is off the cap at the end of the year. And they gave up very little to get him. If he works well (meaning, if he's healthy, because if he is he'll be good), they perhaps found a guy to give Lecavalier a long-term partner in.