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What Should the Oilers Do with Sam Gagner?

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Rumors are swirling that Carolina might be willing to trade their first round pick (8th overall). Naturally, Sam Gagner‘s name is mentioned first when Oiler fans talk about trade scenarios. Would it be wise for the Oilers to trade Gagner for the 8th overall selection?

To get some perspective, here are the last ten players selected 8th overall: Sean Couturier (2011), Alex Burmistrov (2010), Scott Glennie (2009), Mikkel Boedker (2008), Zach Hamill (2007), Peter Mueller (2006), Devin Setoguchi (2005), Alexandre Picard (2004), Braydon Coburn (2003), and Pierre-Marc Bouchard (2002). Of those ten, Coburn might be the only one I’d exchange for Gagner.

Gagner was drafted 6th overall in the 2007 draft. And let’s not forget that as the NHL’s youngest player in 2007-08, he produced 49 points (13 goals, 36 assists). However, his point totals since his rookie season have remained in the 40′s, leading many Oiler fans to become frustrated with his seeming lack of progression.

Gagner might not be a Hart Trophy candidate (as the hockey card to the right suggests), but he’s a solid forward. Will he have a breakout season in the next year or two? It’s possible. He’s only 22. I’m not ready to give up on him just yet.

Here are a few of tweets I noticed yesterday.

If it were up to me, I would probably only trade Gagner for an established top-four defenceman (unless, of course, I was blown away by another offer). Based on the last ten 8th overall picks, there’s a good chance the player drafted won’t develop into a better player than Gagner.

What do you think the Oilers should do with Sam Gagner?

Topics: Jonrmcleod

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Comments
  • OilOnWhyte

    Am I the only one who’s OK with Gagner’s production so far?
     
    Guy is a .65 PPG guy for less money than Evander Kane makes on an ELC, with better numbers.
     
    Suit him up with this year’s #1 and Hemsky, and let them fly.  If he got 50 points, would everybody be cool?

    • jonrmcleod

       @OilOnWhyte I’m not OK with Gagner’s production so far. I think it’s fair to have expected a bit more from him. But let’s see how he’ll do if he’s put on one of the top two lines this season.

  • OilerLand

    @jonrmcleod I love gags but I would do it.

    • jonrmcleod

      @OilerLand Who would you hope to get at #8?

      • OilerLand

        @jonrmcleod Galy

      • KkevrockK

        @jonrmcleod @oilerland Reinhardt, or Dumba!

  • Ebsfan

    @EdmOilersview oh God please keep him. He got better once everyone got on his case. Haters are motivaters

    • jonrmcleod

      @Ebsfan Hopefully, with the right linemates, he’ll have a breakout season.

      • Ebsfan

        @jonrmcleod Not just linemates, but the team itself has to be on their toes. It’s disappointing season after season placing last.

  • gsuvanto

    @EdmOilersview keep him….and look to deal away Horcoff for future pics

    • jonrmcleod

      @gsuvanto With Horcoff’s big contract, I think the only way to deal him is if you take on another big contract.

  • sk8tertrench

    @EdmOilersview keep him!!!!

    • jonrmcleod

      @sk8tertrench Yeah, that’s what I’d do. If you get a draft pick for Gagner, there’s a strong chance the player picked won’t be better.

      • sk8tertrench

        @jonrmcleod exactly!! I’m a mad Oilers fan!

  • jonrmcleod

    @EdmOilersview Thanks for tweeting my post!

  • wrosychuk

    It depends on who’s available at #8. If Gali is available, might make sense… either way my response to Carolina would be let’s see who’s available, then go to your board, and let Stu McGreggor make the call based on talent/ceiling.
     
    Say Carolina threw in someone like McBain (very unlikely since they just resigned him), and Oilers toss in a 2nd or 3rd round pick, it might make more sense.

    • jonrmcleod

       @wrosychuk I’d be very surprised if Galchenyuk is still available at #8. It’s probably more likely that one of the top defencemen fall. There’s also Grigorenko, but it looks like teams are not going to pick him until later in the first round.

      • wrosychuk

         @jonrmcleod That’s why I prefaced, see who’s available before pulling the trigger. I guess the other consideration would be if they did trade straight up for #8, what else would they have to give up to move to say #4 to get Gali… would be interesting to see if the Sarnia Sting “Russian Connection” would be functional at the Pro level kind of in the mold of the Sedin brothers and what Burke pulled off to get them (not saying they’re that good).

        • jonrmcleod

           @wrosychuk I think if the Oilers trade Gagner for a draft pick, they are in danger of being perpetually in a rebuilding phase (e.g., NY Islanders).

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