Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Sam Gagner Could Be A Fit In Edmonton

08/14/2022 at 8:19am EDT

from Kurt Leavins of the Edmnton Journal,

There is lots of speculation as to just which players Holland has talked to. But my information that one of them is indeed former Oiler Sam Gagner. Gagner had a very respectable year in Detroit in 2021-22. In 81 games, he went 13-18-31 and was just -4 on a bad team. And 21 of those points were at 5v5. Sam is not the player he was when Edmonton first drafted him. But in some ways, that could work in his favor. Gagner is a Center on Hockey DB only. He is now primarily a Right Wing, coincidentally the position where the Oilers may be the weakest. Although while just a career 46% man at the faceoff dot, he is not bad on his strong side. And he has re-invented himself defensively, spending 191 total minutes on the ice short-handed last year. Further, past teammates and coaches have nothing but good things to say about Gagner as a teammate and a good pro who sets a great example. At 33, Sam is not “old” …yet. And when he is done, Gagner would be a solid candidate for getting into player development.

Sam is not the player he was when Edmonton first drafted him. But in some ways, that could work in his favor. Gagner is a Center on Hockey DB only. He is now primarily a Right Wing, coincidentally the position where the Oilers may be the weakest. Although while just a career 46% man at the faceoff dot, he is not bad on his strong side. And he has re-invented himself defensively, spending 191 total minutes on the ice short-handed last year. Further, past teammates and coaches have nothing but good things to say about Gagner as a teammate and a good pro who sets a great example. At 33, Sam is not “old” …yet. And when he is done, Gagner would be a solid candidate for getting into player development.

I do not pretend to know what the percentages are that Sam Gagner could rejoin the club that originally drafted him for a 3rd stop in Oil Country. I do know that the list of players wanting to come to Edmonton is not short. And while I also do not know what the Gagner camp may be hoping for in a contract, no doubt a lot of names on the “list” would be willing to come for the NHL minimum.

But if Ken Holland were looking for a player who would love to play in Edmonton (his wife is from here), who would fit seamlessly into the room and who would appear to still have some game left in those skates.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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