My guess would be the New York Islanders.
The Isles were said to have offered Kovalchuk a 10 year 10 Million dollar contract. This is a small fraction of their cap, as the Isles have over 28.1M to spend this offseason.
Gagne is set to make 5.25M next season where he will be in his contract year set to be a UFA after the season. The Isles need a bandage after a season that saw a small improvement from the worst team to the 5th worst team in the league. Isles fans, Kevin Connolly makes up a good percentage, want to see a sign that this organization is ready to make a playoff push.
Right now the Isles have a great core of young players but hardly any veteran presence up front. Gagne would bring that with his 10 years of NHL experience. Also the Isles don't have a set first line winger like they had with Jason Blake, Trent Hunter is their top veteran winger.
How would this work to Gagne's benefit?
- Gags and his family would get to stay close to home as he would most likely have to move twice in the next two year regardless where he was traded to. Being a UFA next summer.
- He would get to play top minutes and show exactly what he's capable of and his worth to scouts the league. The Big Fish in the Small Pond concept.
- Also, Gags would not have to compete with the pressure and critisism of Philadelphia media and constant trade speculation.
All of these factor into the best deal the Flyers could make for the Quebecian winger. What the Flyers would get in return could be a different story. The Isles lack prospects and convet each one of them. However with the pickups of Kirill Kabanov and Nino Niederreiter during this year entry draft some of their other offensive prospects may be available. Even some current NHL offenseman could be moved such as Blake Comeau who is set to be a RFA after next season.
Gagne was asked to move his no trade over the weekend and there has only been Kings rumours, i wouldn't rule out Long Island as a possible destination though.
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