The book on ... Simon Gagne

The Sporting News
Larry Wigge

Flyers C, 6-0/175, first year.

He hasn't won an NHL scoring title, a Stanley Cup or come close to playing in an All-Star Game, but Simon Gagne has been an All-Star in trade rumors.

Maybe that says something about how bright the future is for Gagne, a20-year-old center. Gagne displays the dependability and discipline of a typical gritty Flyers player such as Rod Brind'Amour (now withCarolina). But what makes him different from the typical Flyer is his great speed. "When you face Eric Lindros and Keith Primeau, you have to lean on them, strength versus strength," Bruins defenseman Kyle McLaren says. "But Gagne can beat you one-on-one with his muscle or his speed. Now I know why the Flyers refused to consider trading him."

Gagne's combination of skills is what makes every general manager in the NHL mention his name when they talk trade with Flyers G.M. Bob Clarke.

"You don't trade a prospect with the upside of Gagne," Clarke says, "you build around him."

It wasn't long after the Flyers selected Gagne with the 22nd pick in the 1998 entry draft that Clarke began fending off other G.M.s. That's when Gagne went from 30 goals and 39 assists for the Quebec juniors in1997-98 to 50 goals and 70 assists in 61 games the next season.

"You're always looking for players who not only show talent but also display the intangibles of a winner, and that's what you get with Simon," Flyers right winger Mark Recchi says.

Playing alongside Lindros and Recchi has been a great experience for Gagne. "I learned a long time ago that if you stand back and listen, you learn a lot," Gagne says. "Not a day goes by that I don't learn something new."

And it wasn't a fluke that when Brind'Amour was sidelined early this season, Gagne flourished as the second-line center. His play convinced the Flyers it was OK to trade Brind'Amour.

Gagne doesn't play like a rookie. He plays more like a guy who has been in the NHL for 10 years.

March 31, 2000


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