Edmonton Oilers Sign Sam Gagner to AHL Team: A Win-Win Move
The Edmonton Oilers have recently signed Sam Gagner to their AHL team, the Bakersfield Condors. Although many fans were hoping for a return to the NHL for Gagner, this move may end up being beneficial for both parties involved.
Gagner has had a long career in the NHL, playing for seven different teams over the course of 16 seasons. He was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and played with them for the first seven years of his career. During his time in Edmonton, Gagner established himself as a solid offensive player, scoring 111 goals and 206 assists for a total of 317 points in 542 games.
https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1716489534085517487
However, his production began to decline in recent years, and he has bounced around the league as a depth player. Last season, he played in just 48 games for the Winnipeg Jets, where he scored 8 goals and added 6 assists.
Despite his age and coming off hip surgery, the Oilers saw something in Gagner that they liked, and they decided to bring him back into the fold. By signing him to an AHL deal, they have the opportunity to see if he can still contribute at a high level without committing to him at the NHL level.
For Gagner, this move gives him the chance to prove himself and potentially earn another shot in the NHL. He is 34 years old and probably doesn’t have much hockey left in him. Although if he can perform well in the AHL, there’s a chance that he could be called up to the Oilers at some point during the season if someone goes on LTIR.
Next. 5 numbers that sum up the Oilers’ first 5 games. dark
Overall, this move makes sense for both the Oilers and Gagner. The Edmonton Oilers get a veteran player with NHL experience who can provide leadership and depth for their AHL team, while Gagner gets the opportunity to prove himself and potentially earn another shot in the NHL. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the course of the season, but for now, it looks like a smart move for both parties involved.