Flyers sign Zherdev

[mikecole141]

To even think that Gagne will be put on waivers is just silly. He still has value in the league and i see him getting traded to LA or CBJ once the whole Kovalchuk issue gets sorted out. Its not the like guy is Sheldon Souray or Something....he is a 30+ goal scorer that alot of teams need badly.

Why is it silly?

I don't think it will happen either. But it is an option that has been discussed. If they have to clear cap space and "can't" make a trade; The Flyers will have to put players on waivers. There is nothing silly about it.

As for him not being Sheldon Souray you are right, in that Gagne doesn't make problems in the dressing room, and Gagne is a positive player and that he is a forward instead of a defenceman. If your saying he is not Sheldon Souray because of Souray's propensity to get injured you are wrong as the problem with trading Gagne is nobody knows how he is going to hold up to a full season. As well they are both players with big cap hits that it is hard to (for other teams) take a chance on because of those injuries. Waivers or re-entry waivers may be the only way the Flyers can get under the cap.

[FlamesSuck]

Why is it silly?

I don't think it will happen either. But it is an option that has been discussed. If they have to clear cap space and "can't" make a trade; The Flyers will have to put players on waivers. There is nothing silly about it.

As for him not being Sheldon Souray you are right, in that Gagne doesn't make problems in the dressing room, and Gagne is a positive player and that he is a forward instead of a defenceman. If your saying he is not Sheldon Souray because of Souray's propensity to get injured you are wrong as the problem with trading Gagne is nobody knows how he is going to hold up to a full season. As well they are both players with big cap hits that it is hard to (for other teams) take a chance on because of those injuries. Waivers or re-entry waivers may be the only way the Flyers can get under the cap.

He is as injury prone as Souray but what i meant is that he actually has value around the league meaning that teams would trade for him before risking him go through waivers and having another team pick him up for NOTHING. No way a scorer of his caliber goes on waivers as he is valuable even at $5MM. I am sure Philly is just waiting before making a the right deal.

[mikecole141]

He is as injury prone as Souray but what i meant is that he actually has value around the league meaning that teams would trade for him before risking him go through waivers and having another team pick him up for NOTHING. No way a scorer of his caliber goes on waivers as he is valuable even at $5MM. I am sure Philly is just waiting before making a the right deal.

Yes some team may trade for him before risking him going through waivers, that has already been said. That said Gagne will need to waive his no trade clause to the team that is inquiring, and as of now Gagne and his representation are saying they have not agreed to waive the NTC. As well the teams willing to trade for Gagne may only be willing to do so IF contracts go back the other way, if not moving him (or another player) via waivers may be The Flyers only way to get back under the Cap. And still that may not even be possible as I have already asked in this thread if anybody knows whether or not Gage has just an NTC, or if he has a no-movement clause as well. Because if he has a no-movement clause they can't waive him without his permission either.

[30ranfordfan]

It's just a NTC. He CAN be waived.

That's why Waivers are a possibility.

The Flyers need to move him, for nothing more than Draft Picks and Prospects (i.e. don't want to take any salary back). That rules out over half the league as possible destinations to begin with.

Now - let's say the talk to Gagne about waiving the NTC.... he says okay, but he wants to go to a (likely) playoff team in the East. That's a likely request - he wouldn't want to go to a loser, and maybe doesn't want the travel schedule of the west.

Well, that would leave Carolina as the only team that could add him under the Cap, without moving salary back, that fits the Playoff / East criteria. The Canes are about 12 million under the Cap right now.... but that's by design. They don't want to spend the max.


Now.... let's say LA comes calling, and says they'll move a 4th round pick for him (better than nothing). If Gagne won't waive the NTC to go there, Philly can't do the trade.

He does take a big risk though. Maybe LA wouldn't be so bad..... and if he goes on Waivers - the Oilers or the Islanders might grab him (and I'm guessing he would not want to go to either of those teams).

Yes some team may trade for him before risking him going through waivers, that has already been said. That said Gagne will need to waive his no trade clause to the team that is inquiring, and as of now Gagne and his representation are saying they have not agreed to waive the NTC. As well the teams willing to trade for Gagne may only be willing to do so IF contracts go back the other way, if not moving him (or another player) via waivers may be The Flyers only way to get back under the Cap. And still that may not even be possible as I have already asked in this thread if anybody knows whether or not Gage has just an NTC, or if he has a no-movement clause as well. Because if he has a no-movement clause they can't waive him without his permission either.

[v3rs3]

To even think that Gagne will be put on waivers is just silly. He still has value in the league and i see him getting traded to LA or CBJ once the whole Kovalchuk issue gets sorted out. Its not the like guy is Sheldon Souray or Something....he is a 30+ goal scorer that alot of teams need badly.

There's no way he ever gets picked up by Columbus unless it's on waiver re-entry (Where Flyers pay half his salary). Columbus cannot afford his contract, nor do they have anywhere to put him without a trade. Waivers are a very big possibility for Gagne, he makes too much money for what production he puts out.

[stop__dreaming]

I don't like this situation. I may be looking at this with rose tinted glasses as I love Gagne and I have always admired Zherdev when he was with the Jackets, but if he's wanting $4m a year… that is a lot for him.

I hope Gagne isn't forced into a decision that would end up with him leaving the Flyers. I still think he has more to offer and is a positive effect on the team. We'll have to wait and see.

[lumm0x]

Zherdev took a 1 year $2M deal so that is a fine risk/reward position for Philly. $2M is greatly acceptable for a guy with his level of ability and a history of flaking. It literally cost them a 3rd line journeyman salary but with a much higher potential of return. This tells me even Zherdev and his agent know this is the final kick at the cat in the NHL. This could end up being the steal FA signing of the off season or it could end in failure, but to very little penalty on the Flyers.

The ultimate downside is that it may cost the Flyers Gagne or someone else. Personally I'd rather have a healthy Gagne for 1 season than any version of Zherdev. But the business side has to prevail at times. I just hope they find a trading partner who allows them to gain some benefit over the loss.