Oilers re-sign Sam Gagner to help boost faltering bottom-6
By Paul Taylor
Sam Gagner is back with the Edmonton Oilers for a third tour of duty, after signing a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.
Sam Gagner is officially back for a third time with the team which originally drafted him. As reported by Sportsnet, he has agreed a one-year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
The deal is worth the league minimum of $775,000 at the NHL level, and $250,000 in the MInors. He will be expected to provide a boost for a bottom-six which has struggled to produce points thus far in 2023-24.
Gagner has been with the organisation since accepting a PTO during the summer. However, he was limited to practice during training camp, due to still recovering from surgery on both hips.
However, after undergoing a couple of evaluations, the London, Ontario native was finally cleared to play. He subsequently applied for the appropriate work visa, to be able to join the Bakersfield Condors.
Positive influence in Bakersfield
Once there, Gagner made an immediate impact on the team. In three games — all of which the Condors won — he had a goal, a team-high four assists and a +4 plus/minus rating.
The 34-year-old is expected to bring some much-needed veteran experience to the Oilers, as they look to find more consistency on the ice. However, what isn’t so certain, is what offensive version of him the team will get.
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For his career, Gagner has 519 points (192 goals and 327 points) in 1,015 regular season games. This includes 317 points (111 goals and 206 assists) in 542 games with the Oilers.
The 2007 sixth overall draft pick never quite lived up to expectations which came with the Oilers selecting him so high. However, he’s still enjoyed a fine 16-year career in the NHL.
Undoubtedly Gagner’s finest achievement in Edmonton, was scoring eight points in a single game. The moment came back in 2012, in a game versus the Chicago Blackhawks.
Lavoie misses out
There had been some talk of Raphael Lavoie getting recalled from the Condors, to provide an offensive spark. He’s off to an electric start this season and was named AHL Player of the Week on Monday.
However, clearly the Oilers preferred to go down the road of maturity and leadership. The belief is that, among other things, Gagner will be able to mentor some of the younger players on the team.
Despite his long and enduring NHL career, the one-time Vancouver Canuck has limited experience of playoff hockey. If he can help the Oilers’ rediscover their form of recent seasons, this is his best opportunity to finally enjoy some postseason success.
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To make room for the addition of Gagner on the Oilers’ roster, Adam Erne has been placed on waivers. Assuming Erne clears waivers — and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t — he will be assigned to the Condors.