According to multiple reports, including the Philadelphia Inquirer, Flyers' left winger
Simon Gagne, currently the longest-tenured pro athlete in Philadelphia, has been asked to waive his no-trade clause.
While no trade is said to be imminent, the Inquirer reports the Flyers and
Los Angeles Kings have been talking about a trade. The Inquirer says the Flyers are interested in goalies
Jonathan Bernier and
Jonathan Quick, but the Kings are reluctant to part with one of the young netminders. Adding Gagne to the equation is said to be a sweetener from the Flyers.
Gagne was a first-round pick by the Flyers in 1998 and has spent his entire career in Philadelphia, where he is 10th on the team's all-time scoring list.
Depending on the elements of a possible trade, the Flyers would free up $5.25 million in cap space and then be able to sign restricted free agents Dan Carcillo and
Darroll Powe.
Gagne played in just 57 games last season after undergoing abdominal surgery. He still scored 17 goals. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Gagne broke his foot in the first round against the
New Jersey Devils, but returned to be a major catalyst as the Flyers rallied from an 0-3 deficit to oust the
Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference semis, scoring 4 goals in four games. He also scored 3 goals in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Canadiens, but struggled in the Stanley Cup Final against the Blackhawks, going minus-8 with just 2 goals.