#8 – Simon Gagne
- 11 seasons, 264 goals, .38/game
Despite coming up in one of the lowest-scoring eras in NHL history, with his speed and a quick shot release Simon Gagne, piled up 264 goals in his 11 seasons as a Flyer.
In the years leading up the 1998 draft, the Flyers had not seen much success bringing up home-grown forwards. Gagne changed that status quo rather quickly. After being drafted by the Flyers, his productivity in juniors exploded from 69 points in 1997-98, to 120 points 1998-99. This springboarded Gagne to the Flyers roster, and Gagne scored 20 goals as a rookie center.
The following season the Flyers moved Gagne to the LW spot which is now familiar, and his goal totals would continue to rise as he scored 27 and 33 goals in 2000-01 and 2001-02, respectively. Gagne’s ascent, however, was slowed by groin injuries, which muted Gagne’s trademark quickness.
After frustrating seasons in 2002-03 and 2003-04, and the lockout in 2004-05, Gagne’s career would peak playing next to Peter Forsberg. Forsberg and Gagne formed perhaps the most pure passer-shooter pair in the NHL, as Gagne scored 47 and 41 goals in 2005-and 2006-07. From this peak, injuries would again derail Gagne’s career.
In 2006-07, the Flyers had a nightmare season, finishing dead last and setting a franchise record for lowest winning percentage. Peter Forsberg was traded away, and Gagne suffered as a many 3 concussions during the 2007-08 season. Gagne would bounce back one more time and score 34 goals in 2008-09, before all the injuries caught up him. The Flyers eventually moved him to Tampa Bay in a salary cap move, and Gagne won a Cup in LA. Lastly, Gagne had something of a cameo late-season return to the Flyers in 2013, playing 27 games.
Now 35, Gagne told reporters he would be training this summer in hopes of returning to NHL this upcoming season. It remains to be seen if any NHL teams will give him another shot. Either way, 264 goals as a Flyers ain’t too bad a number.
Next: “#7”