For the third time in his career, forward Sam Gagner calls the Edmonton Oilers home. The 34 year old veteran agreed to a contract with the Oilers for a third tenure with the team for the League-minimum salary, though he’s missed the last five games after suffering from concussion-like symptoms.
The good news is that Gagner declares himself ready to go for Edmonton’s next game, which takes place tomorrow against the struggling Ottawa Senators.
As you may remember, Gagner got his NHL career started with the Oilers in the 2007-08 season after being taken 6th overall in the 2007 NHL Draft, and quickly became known for his flashy dekes in the shootout. He would later find himself in the Oilers record books alongside franchise legends Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey after racking up eight points in a single contest.
It wouldn’t be long before Gagner gained a reputation as a bit of an NHL journeyman, suiting up for the likes of the Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
He’d actually return to the Oilers in a 2019 trade from the Canucks, where he would remain until the following season’s Trade Deadline when he was on the move once again to the Detroit Red Wings. He’d fit in nicely in Detroit, and would soon register his highest point total in 2021-22 since 2018.
After not being brought back by GM Steve Yzerman, Gagner agreed to a one-year contract for the league-minimum salary with the Winnipeg Jets; he’d scored eight goals with six assists in 48 regular season games but would be forced to undergo hip surgery in March, ending his season.
In 1,033 career NHL games, Gagner has scored a total of 196 goals and 332 assists. This season with Edmonton, he’s scored four goals with five assists.
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