According to Mark Everson of the New York Post, the New Jersey Devils are believed to be interested in Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner. Everson noted that with the emergence of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the Devils need for a center, it could be a good fit.

I agree with Everson that Gagner could indeed be a good fit for the Devils, but the chances Gagner will be moved to the Devils, or anywhere, are slim to none. Not only would the asking price for Gagner be very high, but the Oilers are currently first in the Western Conference so moving him doesn't make much sense. Another reason it doesn't make sense for the Oilers is the fact that Nugent-Hopkins is a rookie and he is bound to have some bumps along the road this season.

Add that to the fact that veteran center Shawn Horcoff has an injury history and it seems it would do the Oilers more harm than good if they were to move Gagner. Yet another reason the Devils would have trouble getting a deal done for Gagner is the Oilers are looking for top-four defenseman and the Devils don't exactly have any extras kicking around. They could package Jon Merrill, Alexander Urbom or another young defenseman but prospects don't do much for the Oilers at this point.

All in all Gagner would be a great deal of help to the Devils, but when you factor in the asking price and what it would do to the Oilers it just doesn't make much sense. Could Lamoriello have made a call about Gagner? Sure, but that doesn't mean it is likely to happen.

Note - Brendan Ross and I released our collaborated top 30 2012 draft rankings at TheHockeyGuys.net late yesterday evening. Click here to check them out....one of these will likely be a future Devil.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow me on twitter @ToddCordell for the latest news & notes from the Ontario Hockey League, New Jersey Devils, and NHL in general.

KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Devils Buzz; a one-stop feed for all things New Jersey Devils-related on HockeyBuzz. Content is automatically updated whenever a new blog is published. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and costs just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information, click here.

TheHockeyGuys.net

Feel free to email me anytime @ [email protected]

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Thank you

» On the Chayka rumors and finalists for the Devils' GM job

» Notes on quotes from Lindy Ruff's appearance on 31 Thoughts

» The New Jersey Devils may not have hired the coach they wanted

» Notes on quotes from Ruff, Fitzgerald, and Devils ownership