MLive’s Ansar Khan notes that Red Wings forward Sam Gagner will hit the 900-game milestone this evening:
Gagner will play his 900th game tonight. That is just 46 fewer than his father, Dave, played in the NHL from 1985-1999.
“Certainly, there’s some ups and downs, but I’ve enjoyed the journey,” Gagner said. “It’s a nice milestone. For our family, it’s pretty cool. At the same time, I want to keep playing as long as I can, so I’ll just keep pushing forward.”
He could pass his father in games played later this season.
“I’m not really in competition with him,” Gagner said. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m adding to his total, with what he’s done for me and how much he means to me, what he taught me about the game and life.”
Sam Gagner was drafted sixth overall by Edmonton in 2007. Three brief stints in the minors, most recently in 2019-20, put his career at a crossroads, but the trade to the Red Wings revitalized him.
“He’s 32 and he’s already got to 900 games,” Blashill said. “It’s been awesome to watch him continue to grow his game. He came in the league as a highly touted offensive player who was very good offensively and I think now he’s really rounded his game out, took a lot of pride in his defensive play, has become a real reliable player for us, kills penalties, out there five-on-six, has been on lines I’ve used against the other team’s best because he does it the right way. He’s smart and I can trust him. He’s a great example to our young players on how to be accountable to yourself.”
