The Flyers re-signed free-agent Simon Gagne to a five-year contract Monday night, ending a summer of difficult negotiations with training camp less than two weeks away.
Gagne, a former first-round pick, is coming off the best season of his career, scoring 47 goals and 79 points last season for Philadelphia. He was involved in lengthy contract negotiations for most of the summer, but general manager Bob Clarke flew to Montreal on Monday to meet with Gagne's agent. "I think it was critical to our organization to get Simon signed and to get him signed for a number of years," Clarke said. "He's one of the better two-way players in the game."
The 26-year-old left winger has 160 goals and 164 assists in 426 career games. He's scored 20 goals in five of his six seasons.
The Flyers open training camp next Thursday and Gagne had said he wouldn't report to camp without a new contract. Clarke said the Flyers wanted to offer Gagne a long-term deal while Gagne wanted the same amount -- reportedly $5 million -- over a shorter time frame.
With Peter Forsberg possibly set to return from ankle surgery on opening night, the Flyers will have their two best players in the lineup as they try to win their first Stanley Cup title since 1975.
Gagne, a former first-round pick, is coming off the best season of his career, scoring 47 goals and 79 points last season for Philadelphia. He was involved in lengthy contract negotiations for most of the summer, but general manager Bob Clarke flew to Montreal on Monday to meet with Gagne's agent. "I think it was critical to our organization to get Simon signed and to get him signed for a number of years," Clarke said. "He's one of the better two-way players in the game."
The 26-year-old left winger has 160 goals and 164 assists in 426 career games. He's scored 20 goals in five of his six seasons.
The Flyers open training camp next Thursday and Gagne had said he wouldn't report to camp without a new contract. Clarke said the Flyers wanted to offer Gagne a long-term deal while Gagne wanted the same amount -- reportedly $5 million -- over a shorter time frame.
With Peter Forsberg possibly set to return from ankle surgery on opening night, the Flyers will have their two best players in the lineup as they try to win their first Stanley Cup title since 1975.
