Gagne Won't Attend Camp Without Contract

The Flyers open training camp next Friday and it's probable that left winger Simon Gagne will not be there when they do. Still without a contract, Gagne says he won't show without one: "I talked with my agent, and we think it would be too dangerous to go to camp with no contract," Gagne told the Philadelphia Inquirer yesterday, referring to Bob Sauve. "Basically, we want a contract before I go to camp. If not, I'm not going to go." According to his agent, Bob Sauve, the team and Gagne have agreed on the length of a deal -- three years -- but not on the monetary amount. Gagne is reportedly looking for a $5 to $6 million a year deal like the one Calgary gave to forward Alex Tangauy (coincidentally, another Sauve client). If agreed to, a deal for that much money would put the Flyers right up against the $44 million salary cap (TSN.ca has the Flyers salaries at approximately $39 million, including Keith Primeau). Looking at the Flyers lineup, I wonder if a sign-and-trade deal wouldn't be prudent here. Granted that a lot of this is contingent on Primeau returning and staying healthy, but hear me out. Look at the Flyers four lines, six defensemen, and starting goalie: LW C RW Kyle Calder Peter Forsberg Mike Knuble RJ Umberger Jeff Carter Niko Dimotrakos Geoff Sanderson Mike Richards Petr Nedved Sami Kapanen Keith Primeau Randy Robitaille   LD RD Joni Pitkanen Mike Rathje Derian Hatcher Freddie Meyer Denis Gauthier Lars Jonsson   G    Antero Niittymaki That's not a bad team, though there are still some question marks on defense. I would like to see them package goaltender Robert Esche with Gagne. This would accomplish several things in one fell swoop: a)provide needed salary cap relief if they need to make a move later in the season; b)get rid of the malcontent that is/will be Esche; c)establish that, once and for all, Niittymaki is your starting goaltender; and d)bring an incredible return in terms of youth, skill, and possibly draft picks given that Gagne and Esche are both quality players that other teams covet. While I'm wasting time looking at ways to improve the Flyers that Bob Clarke will never think of, Mike at Flyers Fan Central is a little worried about having Gagne signed in time but thinks it'll happen. He also thinks an extension for head coach Ken Hitchcock is in the not-too-distant future.