Simon Gagne's curious absence from Monday's Eastern Conference Championship video montage
by Travis Hughes on Oct 12, 2010 4:31 PM EDT
in Philadelphia Flyers Commentary
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PrintOn Thursday night, Simon Gagne will make his return to Philadelphia for the first time since being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning over the summer.
There will likely be some sort of recognition of his 10 years of service to the organization, whether that's with a pre-game video tribute or some sort of mini pre-game ceremony, or whether it's with a quick in-game video during a TV timeout.
That's all wonderful. We should expect it, Simon should expect. He'll get a standing ovation from the faithful. It will be a nice moment.
But on Monday night, things were a little different. Gagne, of course, scored some of the biggest goals of the 2010 postseason for the Flyers, especially in the semifinal series against Boston. He scored the OT game winner in Game 4 to keep the season alive, as well as the dramatic final blow in Game 7 to win the game and cap the most unbelievable comeback in team history -- perhaps sports history.
Yet in the pre-game video that was shown on the video board at the Wells Fargo Center, Gagne was nowhere to be found. If you didn't know he were a Flyer last year, you wouldn't know by watching the video last night. None of those big goals were included, as you can see after the jump.
What's the motivation for blatantly, obviously omitting Gagne's accomplishments?
I'm a guy who can get over the fact that Gagne was traded. Sure, I'm still a little perturbed about it. I think that if the right moves were made in the first place, the salary cap issues that facilitated Gagne's trade wouldn't have arisen. But I can understand that it was a business decision and that it was nothing personal.
Ignoring him in this fashion makes this feel very personal. It doesn't seem like business anymore.
For a video entitled "A Banner Is Earned" to exclude a man who played such a large role in earning that banner is just a slap in the face. There's no way to spin that otherwise. Sure, he wouldn't have been in the building to see it anyway, but the Flyers have always been known as team that treats their own very well. This was disheartening.
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He was omitted from the “Goals of the Year” videos that was released in the summer. Becuase of that I wasn’t expecting him to be included in anything last night either
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No, he wasn’t omitted from the “Goals of the Year” video. His goals against Boston were originally included when the video first was posted on the internet. It was only up for a few minutes before the Flyers took it down and removed any mention of Gagne from the video then posted it again.
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room."
by Grp_Cpt_Lionel_Mandrake on Oct 12, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
That is right, sir.
(fights urge of vomiting)
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
If you're going to spew, spew into this...
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room."
by Grp_Cpt_Lionel_Mandrake on Oct 12, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I was wondering what happened too. The game winners against Boston — especially the one in game 7 — are a really noticeable absence. His return was the spark that resurrected that series.
by The Gang Wins the Cup on Oct 12, 2010 4:21 PM EDT reply actions
But I do think they managed to squeeze every goal Carter scored for the whole playoffs in.
by The Gang Wins the Cup on Oct 12, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
They might be editing that too, come April 12th
by Prometheus74 on Oct 12, 2010 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve always held the Flyers front office/management in the highest regard, more so than any other franchise in this town but this is an atrocity. I am very disappointed.
"Beauty, eh? Hey, that song's making them fight, eh? Do it again"
by TheBrownieBomber on Oct 12, 2010 4:23 PM EDT reply actions
No its not. He’s not a Flyer anymore. That video was supposed to get everyone fired up for this year. Yeah he’ll be missed, but he’s one of them now. Sergei Bobrovsky was on the highlight reel, that is obviously looking forward. He’s not there, why should we show him? He is no longer a Flyer anymore. You think Richie will go easy on him when they are along the boards on Thursday… hell no. We play him next, and we need to stockpile points at home.
by OrangeNblacK on Oct 12, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the video was supposed to commemorate last season, not get everybody fired up for this year. It was all about looking back last year.
There was a complete other leg to the video after the 2010 playoffs stuff that was meant to get people fired up.
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by Travis Hughes on Oct 12, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I am not defending the Front Office
I have always thought both Gagne and Carter would have to go in order to keep Giroux, JVR and Leino
(and now Z too)
I always thought carters value would peak come trade deadline and I actually thought Gagne’s value peaked at the end of the previous season, but after this years playoffs, his stock was still high.
Obviously Gagne’s ending here didnt go to plan.
I can assume Gags really didnt want to waive his NTC, pick up and move with 1 year left on his contract.
Its a good bet he was all to happy to tell Yzerman that Tampa was his only choice and to go ahead and fleese Homer as a bit of payback (If he did, I personally don’t hold a grudge at all)
But I imaging that among those who wear white collars all day within the Flyers Organization,
Gagne is like Fredo Corleone
by Prometheus74 on Oct 12, 2010 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I bet this is the most likely explanation. They usually do a pretty good job honoring former players so something would have to have happened behind the scenes for them to be so pissed off at him to exclude him from this video. From the outside it looks bad, but with the long history of family of former players in the front office and coaching, I have to give the Flyers organization the benefit of the doubt on this one.
I’m not sure if I’m getting you right… but are you saying that it’s Gags’ fault that he’s left out of that video? Nice. Nice indeed.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
Thats not what im getting at.
I sympathies with Gags and Im happy he is going to get a hell of a good reception when he comes back next game.
What I am getting at is that the front office might be mad at him and hold a grudge.
(Therefore I blame the Flyers Brass)
by Prometheus74 on Oct 12, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, okay… I said I wasn’t sure what you meant. Thanks for clarifying it for me.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
Sometimes it takes me a few tries to express what I want to share clearly
Then there is spelling………forgeddabout it!
I will never take offense if Im asked to clarify
by Prometheus74 on Oct 12, 2010 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know that I’d go as far as to say that Gagne said to Yzerman to go ahead and fleece Homer, but John Boruk did report that the Lightning facilitated the trade, not Homer.
by DragonGirl0583 on Oct 12, 2010 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
It absolutely is. A look back is a yearbook. Yearbooks are reminiscing about good times and are emotional for most fans/players alike. Removing his obvious important role from last years’ playoffs is the FO not wanting to deal with any potential fallout so the just avoided it completely by pretending he was never here.
Look, I don’t even take that much issue with the trade, and I wasn’t even the biggest Gagne fan, but even I think this is taking it a bit too far.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
As Travis said, there were two videos…one remembering last season, and one for this season. Obviously Gagne will be left out of this season’s video for all the reason that you mentioned. However, when you score the game winner in game 7 of a historic comeback, you need to be in the video. If he hadn’t scored that goal, I think I could understand leaving him out, but he did, just seemed weird to not have it in there.
Is this the right room for an argument?
I’m not surprised either.
But…
I totally agree with you Travis, it’s disheartening. It might make sense to some ‘cause well yeah, he’s not on the team anymore. But this whole thing is making me SO angry and sad at the same time. Have you ever cried tears of anger? I just did while reading this article. This kind of “treatment” Gagne is getting is making me so mad. It’s filling me with so much hate towards the Flyers that hadn’t it been for the players (who after all matter the most) I would’ve been gone by July 19.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
They do this with their stars, it seems.
Interesting how not one of the “Greatest Games” boxed set contains a Lindros-era game.
And not surprising that they omitted Gagne from last night’s videos.
The only thing I can think is that they wanted to celebrate the past while still looking forward. Simon really WAS the team to a lot of people (not just Katie), so maybe they figured that having him on the video screen would be a distraction to fans and players alike? I don’t know. But I don’t like it.
Hopefully, they have something really nice planned for Thursday.
Do you see what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps?
I’ll say again what I said in the recap thread…
I’ve resigned myself to it, but even my fiance noticed it was odd. You heard specific players being called out in the NJ series, and then specific players being called out again in the Montreal series, but the Boston series highlights were oddly silent because they were avoiding saying Gagne’s name.I’ve mellowed about it in the sense of being through all the stages of grief, but it was several months ago that I started saying this whole omitting Gagne thing felt personal. I could be wrong, but I think it was Kat who pointed out that Gagne was initially included in the “Goals of the Year” video, only to be taken out of it when the video was pulled down for “maintenance”.
Based on this, I’m not expecting the team to do anything for him Thursday night. But for me, the reason I picked this game to go to is because I wanted to be part of the Standing O the crowd should give him.
(sends transcontinental hug)
I’m really glad you’re going to that game. I know for sure that you will show him the respect and welcome he deserves. You and hopefully thousands of others. I have a strong belief that the Flyers fans will give him the Standing O. And you know what? That’s all that matters to me at this point. I’m done with the organization, the front office and other crap (I can’t name it all).
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
Done and done sir. I’ll fanpost it later today.
Flyers Fans: We've survived Lock-outs, Lindros and Cooperalls. If you want to get rid of us, you'll have to split an atom or two.
by KreiderDesigns on Oct 13, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Travis, you have started quite a “fight” on Twitter between Sarah Baicker and Frank Seravalli.
Pretty entertaining actually.
@Mitchman88 on Twitter
About him being left out, yeah. Debating whether or not there are specific policies banning Gagne from being included in the video. Sarah B says the video guys told her there are policies, and Seravalli is calling BS.
by DragonGirl0583 on Oct 12, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
You mean to tell me Ed Snider couldn’t have someone get around those policies even if they do exist? Sounds dubious.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Actually, Sarah’s argument is that the video people were handcuffed by policies set forth by the team. That sort of avoids the fact that the complaint leveled is against the team for setting those limitations. I don’t think anyone has personal beef with the guy who created the video segment.
Seravalli is right, baicker is bs.
Just Call Me "M"!
by MJDII on Oct 12, 2010 5:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I totally agree with Seravalli. Nobody follows me so they wouldn’t see what I just asked Sarah, and I’m sure she won’t respond….. But I asked her if there are really “policies” then how come Gagne was removed from the goals of the year video but Asham was kept in. Then she just tweeted to Seravalli that said Asham was removed from the montages too, which is BS, he’s still in the goals of the year one.
by DragonGirl0583 on Oct 12, 2010 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Asham isn’t nearly the player that Gagne was and he’s too much of a…what’s the phrase I’m looking for…3rd rail? They don’t want to deal with negative fallout.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
No, it just contradicts her “specific policies” argument.
by DragonGirl0583 on Oct 12, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep, he’s a 3rd rail, like in politics. You don’t want to bring it up because it starts a fight…sort of like who should be the starting QB of the Eagles or starting GT of the Flyers.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Her initial issue with this obviously was that Gagne doesnt deserve any special treatment. Even though I might not agree with her, I see her point. On the other hand, this is not about the personality itself… it’s about what he DID. He scored two of the most important goals last post-season. If Krajicek, Parent or any other guys that are not on the team any longer would have done anything as significant, I’m sure we’d want them there too…at least I would.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
I would disagree considering how long he was with the team, but considering their treatment of Lindros…
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
I agree with you on disagreeing with Baicker. But as you said… considering Lindros…
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
You’re on Twitter DG? May I please follow you? :)
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
Go ahead, but I think I’ve posted like 3 tweets ever. I don’t really talk, I just follow people
by DragonGirl0583 on Oct 12, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Is your nickname there same as here?
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
Question:
Was Asham officially an ex-Flyer at the time of the “Goals of the Year” video being published?
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room."
by Grp_Cpt_Lionel_Mandrake on Oct 12, 2010 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Officially as in signed with another team? No. Officially as in already a free agent and no longer in talks to return? Yes.
by DragonGirl0583 on Oct 12, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
As for the Twitter drama
I’ve been following it and what Baicker said last really confused me. First she says there are limitations or policies that prevent them from using Gagne in the video. Next thing she says his absence will be made up on Thursday. So where’s the truth?
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
She’s probably telling the truth in both cases, but missing the point in the first instance. No one cares about what rules the video guys had to follow when putting together the piece; they want to know why those rules prohibit Gagne from being included.
She’s obviously just repeating what other guys are telling her. She herself knows a jack sh!t.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
It’s a “we’ll show video of our former players when we damn well please” policy.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
I’m going to take a stab in the dark and assume that there are general policies in place for using video of still active ex-players and that policy is “Don’t.” But there is probably some sort of exception available to that for the case of a fan-favorite’s first visit back to Philadelphia, as Gagne will be doing on Thursday.
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room."
by Grp_Cpt_Lionel_Mandrake on Oct 12, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
From Sarah Baicker on Twitter:
I suppose I’m just not the type to look for “special treatment” just b/c it’s Gagne. There are policies about use of former players.
Oooooooh just heard a little insider info about Gagne video. But Twitter, I don’t know… it might be “senseless garbage…”“Senseless garbage” is a reference to an insult Serravali hurled at her in their Twitter fight.
Here’s all I’ll say, kids: Don’t be shocked if Gagne’s absence is “made up for” Thursday night :)So, there are policies about using former players in videos like this yet the Flyers are going to do so anyway? My head hurts.
Now that's what I call high quality H2O!
Hahahaha! You had the totally same reactions as I did.
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
Byfuglien, Niemi & Versteeg were prominent in the Blackhawks video before their banner went up
I love the Lightning AND the Flyers... go ahead, preach me!
Dare to follow my childish, biased, petty and cheesy alter ego.
American Cheese, B!tch! ... #1 mission? Kill Holmgren.
I wouldn’t expect any recognition for him except for what the fans do (standing O, signs).
I doubt we’ll see any appreciation from the organization until he retires from the NHL with whatever team he is on at the time and he pays his final visit to Philly.
by I'dRatherBeInPhilly on Oct 12, 2010 6:23 PM EDT reply actions
You know, everyone’s assuming malign nature on the Flyers part. My guess: Incompetence.
I think there are policies in place, but they can waive them with special circumstances. However, Homer/Snider etc probably assumed that the media guys would know what to do, and didn’t say anything, and the media guys went by the book. Now it’s a scramble to undo the screw up.
Would that be out of character for these slackers at all? No.
Gagne should and will know that the fans never forgot about what he did for us here. Unfortunately it looks more and more like the organization is burning any remaining bridges that could be used to lure him back when his contract runs out (assuming we have cap space anyways). I’m sure we’d all love him back, but we’re just going to have to be happy for him elsewhere. As long as that elsewhere doesn’t get in our way.
Ok i understood not putting him in last nights video, but Flyers website has posted 4 videos none with Gange in them. They show Carcillos goal, but they made the shot so you couldnt see gange. Thats crap, i get it being a fresh wound, but really?
(Carcillos highlights mostly include fights, and they close up on his face and freeze it as hes going fuuu…… thats where it stops haha)
Let's do it again
I noticed the Eagles do this as well. They’ll erase all a players highlights once they’re gone. I would imagine that this is pretty much the norm.
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I can see the point, and I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad idea, but come on, game winner in a game 7? Hello? That’s like saying if the Phils win the Series this year, and Halliday gets traded in the off season, you don’t show video of only the 2nd no hitter in playoff history.
I think it’s bush league. He’s been too much a part of this organization too long, I’m pretty sure the fans get it.
This is very annoying
I don’t have much time to post. But some of you know I teach management courses.
And this petty garbage simply should not fly. There will be consequences, trust me. Don’t expect any hometown discounts next year. Look up the concept “organizational citizenship behaviors” sometime….and know the Flyers won’t be getting any of these. Idiots. Employees are watching when and how you fire people. Duh.
I am starting to empathize with Katchis at this point.
I encourage loud cheering of Gags and loud booing of management during the game.
Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz. Halladay, Hamels, Oswalt.
In the future, players will know:
- do not take a paycut and sign an NTC when negotiating with the Flyers: they don’t respect the spirit of that agreement and will force you to waive it
- do not expect the Flyers to respect you after you leave them. You will only have a legacy till they oust you
- do not expect the Flyers to keep you even if you are a key player. They can’t manage the salary cap and will probably move you in exchange for a 5th and 7th defender.
Simon Gagne may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home, but at the end of the day, he will always be a Philadelphia Flyer.
by PursuitOfLappyness on Oct 13, 2010 4:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh please… I have to wonder whether the players have even seen the video let alone bother to care who is in it.
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They showed this at the home opener. The Flyers all backed up off of the blue line, where they stood for introductions, so they could look up at the video. They showed this video at the game, and every player made a point to watch it, and you could see them talking to each other and pointing at the screen. This was clearly a special moment for those guys (which I was surprised about b/c I would have thought they would have ignored it and tried to act like they were only focused on the game at hand…but it was nice to see).
So please, before you say something like that, know the facts!
Is this the right room for an argument?
And how much do you think it mattered? It was a highlight video. They had a game to play afterward. How much thought do you think they gave it when the puck dropped?
I’m guessing not much.
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I’m sure as soon as they got to business it wasn’t on their mind…but it mattered enough to where they were noticeably enjoying the video with each other.
I have to wonder whether the players have even seen the video let alone bother to care who is in it.
Point is, they cared enough to watch it, so I wouldn’t be so dismissive without knowing what actually happened.
Fact is, they all know Gagne is not on the team, and I’m sure most of them figured he wouldn’t be featured in the video; so to not see him in it most likely wasn’t a big deal. I’m not trying to argue any of that anyway.
I’m just saying, before you make a snide remark, know the facts. Also, stay on point.
Is this the right room for an argument?
Just received and Email that the Flyers will be honoring Simon on Thursday night during the game. Special tickets are available as well as autographed pucks and posters.
My teams are the Flyers, Phillies and the Steelers. Deal with it.
Frankly I think that kind of thing should be saved for when a guy retires. No need to do it now.
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I got that email too, and I’d love to be there. Unfortunately my first reaction now upon hearing that they were giving away Gagne autographed stuff wasn’t “oh, cool,” it was “I bet they have a whole closet full of that stuff that they are trying to burn through.”
by The Gang Wins the Cup on Oct 13, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
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