Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen ponders the reasons why several former Red Wings players, including forward Sam Gagner, have not been able to find gainful employment in the NHL over the course of the free agency period thus far:
Veteran Detroit Red Wings forward Sam Gagner made the joking observation at the end of last season that some of his younger teammates “are a little closer to my kids’ age.”
But the 33-year-old Gagner is far from over the hill. His 13-goal, 31-point production in 2022-23 represented his best season since 2017-18. Gagner is a penalty-killer, polished defensive forward and a natural leader. If the Red Wings were trying to win a Stanley Cup, instead of rebuilding, they may have re-signed Gagner.
That’s why it’s mildly surprising that Gagner is still available in the free agent marketplace.
….
It still seems likely that he will sign with a good team. He’s been linked to both the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. He could be a valuable role player on a contender.
“I try to have the same mindset every night,” he said at the end of the season. “It’s not always going to go the way you want but for the most part I’ve felt pretty good about where my game has been at most of the year.”
Allen Continues, and, yesterday, the Edmonton Journal’s Kurt Leavins reported the following:
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.
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…
…Holland could do a whole lot worse than Sam Gagner.
