There has been speculation for a week about Simon Gagne potentially being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. First, it was just open speculation on Raw Charge. Then? There were confirmed reports of talks from the mainstream media.
Then, today, it happened.
Gagne was traded from the Stanley Cup runner-up Philadelphia Flyers to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Matt Walker and a fourth round pick in 2011.
Gagne was dealt thanks to the Flyers' dire need to get under the salary cap. But while the Lightning had prospects to offer to the Flyers, they ultimately moved veteran defenseman Walker and his $1.7 million salary.
To a team desperate to get under the cap? Yes, the Gagne move plus the Walker acquisition does put them under the NHL salary cap, but it provides much less room as a prospect-loaded deal would for the Flyers.
In fact, the sentiment is that the Bolts robbed the Flyers here. Though Gagne has a history of injury issues, he also has a prolific history of scoring -- even in injury-shortened seasons. The potential is huge and the cost minimum for the Lightning. Though Walker was signed for three more seasons and Gagne is only signed for one... well, the Lightning have defensive depth to replace Walker. They'll gladly take Gagne's scoring prowess in exchange.
Read more at Raw Charge.