Philadelphia Flyers Trade for Forward Simon Gagne

The Philadelphia Flyers are determined to make their way into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. According to the team's official Twitter account, it has acquired former Flyer and left winger Simon Gagne from the reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings:

"

TRADE ALERT! GAGNE'S BACK! #Flyers announced that they have acquired Simon Gagne from LA in a trade. DETAILS HERE bit.ly/9UNv1R

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) February 26, 2013"

Gagne, 32, was sent to Philly in exchange for a conditional fourth-round draft pick, per the Flyers' official website.

The veteran forward was drafted by the Flyers back in 1998, taken 22nd overall. He played 10 seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the summer of 2010.

Gagne, who signed with the Kings in July 2011 as a free agent, has played in just 11 games so far this season for the Kings, recording only five assists. Leading up to the trade, he hadn't seen a single minute of ice time in the Kings' previous four games.

Gagne's best season came in 2005-06 with the Flyers, when he recorded a career-best 79 points, including a career-high 47 goals in just 72 games. 

A former NHL All-Star and member of the league's All-Rookie Team, Gagne is a two-time Bobby Clarke Trophy (awarded to the Flyers' MVP) winner. He also won the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy (awarded to the Flyers' most improved player) in his second season in the NHL. 

Despite three years away from Philly, Gagne returns a Stanley Cup champion and a favorite among Flyers fans.

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