The Edmonton Oilers and Sam Gagner managed to avoid salary arbitration this morning. The player signed a three year contract extension at an average cap hit of $4.8mil per season. What's perhaps most important for Gagner is the deal includes a No Movement Clause for the second season. Unless he's brutal in 2013/2014, he's staying.
I'm okay with this deal. I like Gagner. He bring offense and his level of compete is extremely high. I would have preferred a longer deal. The money part isn't bad, but it isn't good either. I was advocating for 6 years at $4.75mil per, because I have a feeling his offensive totals will be going up as the talent level continues to increase on the Oilers. I don't mind at all that he received a No Movement Clause, because, quite honestly, I understand why he wanted it. It's tough and distracting to always being the guy mentioned in the trade rumors.
Now that this matter is over with, let's hope Oilers management can get back to the task of finding this team some third line wingers, and to dealing Ales Hemsky so this situation doesn't get dragged into training camp.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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