give him a tap in and he'll bury it 50% of the time half his points came in 1 game
- jaredwildzee

nice math skills

Gags is all heart. Hes not going anywhere
- Oilfan19

I disagree but time will tell our top center is a runt you can't have 2(my humble opinion) L.A will crush us we need some size Gags and Hemsky are the only expendable guys and Hemsky has no trade value(yet)

Sam Gagner owns every (frank)ing thread.

Gags is worse and he's a pansy he loses battles every time and I'm tired of hearing of his potential he has trade value now after this season he won't
- jaredwildzee

Im all for a better, bigger 2nd line center, but arnott aint it.
If arnott is signed because we dealt gags for a dman, and need a stop gap, then im all for it. But not just to take his place without getting better on the backend.

And gags is NOT a pansy.
Hes all heart, and doesnt shy away from the physical stuff.
Its just that hes small and ineffective at it. But more importantly, so is the rest of our top 6. Which he happens to be the least talented of and is the logical choice to go imo.

It really makes no difference what the reasons are though, just pointing out that hes not soft. Hes got a ton of heart, and if he was surrounded by some bruising wingers, id be all for keeping him.

I don't see Arnott improving what we have right now at centre frankly, so the whole thing hinges on being able to swing a deal with Gagner to make it work. Who knows what Gagner could fetch. Obviously subtracting Gagner + whoever else and adding Yandle and Arnott puts us ahead of where we are now, but that has more to do with the Yandle-Gagner contigency than it does Arnott.

I think Horcoff's contract will go to term. No one will ever want him imo, not even for one season. Since we can't do anything about him, might as well appreciate that he's a good two-way 3rd line centre for right now. The only real knock on him in that role is his brutal contract. And I agree, Lander could very well become the future third line guy. That being said, in 2015 if Horcoff wants to re-sign as a bottom 6 centre (4th line probably) for one or two years, 1.5 mil or so, I would be happy to have him back.
- Morris

not sure if this has already been said or not. i am late to this thread but once the cba is finalized horcoffs contract is very movable. many teams are struggling to get to the stupid high cap floor. horcs has 3 years remaining on his contract that has 13 million actual dollars left on it with the benefit of 16.5 million in cap hit over those three years.

with a cba that is not radically different than the current one he is movable and next off season he has 7 million actual dollars vrs a 11 million cap hit remaining. horcoff likely will not finnish this contract as an oiler unless the new cba is a radical victory for the owners and scales back salaries 4 or 5 years

I haven't read everybodies comments but here are my two cents.

We don't need a new Third Line Centre. Horcoff fills that role perfectly, his only problem is contract and not his play. All I would expect of a third line player is sound defensive play and to put up 30 to 40 points and if your the centre on the thrid line you better be solid on faceoffs. Horcoff does all this. Keeping the third line theme I would also say Jones is a solid third liner and have no problem keeping him past his current contract either.

When we drafted Yakupov I believe that essentially forced Hemsky off the team, with Eberle, Yakapov and Jones as the top three RW, I don't see a place for him. I also don't believe in moving a career RW to LW is a good idea (see the E. Cole expirement).

Gagner I'm fine with keeping for this year, however this team is lacking size and the will to use it in the top six so I can't see Gagner fitting in long term. If we had to trade Gagner or a top pairing dman, or a bigger top six forward i'd be ok with that. As i've said before if we did trade Gagner and didn't get a centre back, i'm ok with Horcoff playing 2nd line for a season or two until we either acquire another player or one of our prospects can fill that role. This is the year I think Gagner has to start making significant improvement for me to believe he is our long term 2nd line centre.

I haven't read everybodies comments but here are my two cents.

We don't need a new Third Line Centre. Horcoff fills that role perfectly, his only problem is contract and not his play. All I would expect of a third line player is sound defensive play and to put up 30 to 40 points and if your the centre on the thrid line you better be solid on faceoffs. Horcoff does all this. Keeping the third line theme I would also say Jones is a solid third liner and have no problem keeping him past his current contract either.

When we drafted Yakupov I believe that essentially forced Hemsky off the team, with Eberle, Yakapov and Jones as the top three RW, I don't see a place for him. I also don't believe in moving a career RW to LW is a good idea (see the E. Cole expirement).

Gagner I'm fine with keeping for this year, however this team is lacking size and the will to use it in the top six so I can't see Gagner fitting in long term. If we had to trade Gagner or a top pairing dman, or a bigger top six forward i'd be ok with that. As i've said before if we did trade Gagner and didn't get a centre back, i'm ok with Horcoff playing 2nd line for a season or two until we either acquire another player or one of our prospects can fill that role. This is the year I think Gagner has to start making significant improvement for me to believe he is our long term 2nd line centre.
- rathagor

+1

RNH / Gagner / Horcoff / Belanger (looks perfectly fine to me)

3m Richard Cloutier Richard Cloutier ‏@rdcloutier

Speaking with a source from Chicago who suggests the #Hawks could deal Nick Leddy. Would the #Oilers be interested? Gags back with Kane?

Realistically, you'd need to add your 1st+. Yandle is a great player.
- clarkysduster

Probably. That would be fair if Gagne hits the numbers

3m Richard Cloutier Richard Cloutier ‏@rdcloutier

Speaking with a source from Chicago who suggests the #Hawks could deal Nick Leddy. Would the #Oilers be interested? Gags back with Kane?



- Oil Tycoon

I do like RNH and Gagner for 1C and 2C for now. I don't like Arnott coming on board. If EDM has to trade Gagner for a top 4 d-man, fine...but I would try to find another options elsewhere for 2C rather than Arnott. There is still the idea of Hall playing 2C from Tamby and Kreuger's comments.

JayBo is a good option, but CGY will ask for a big payday for him going to EDM. Just like CBJ would ask DET for a world of trade for Nash because they are in same division. I still like the idea of checking up with WSH for Green. Hemsky+Whitney+prospect for Green. All three are coming off injury years and will try to redeem themselves. If Green signs a 5 year term, then EDM should add a good piece for Green...

not sure if this has already been said or not. i am late to this thread but once the cba is finalized horcoffs contract is very movable. many teams are struggling to get to the stupid high cap floor. horcs has 3 years remaining on his contract that has 13 million actual dollars left on it with the benefit of 16.5 million in cap hit over those three years.

with a cba that is not radically different than the current one he is movable and next off season he has 7 million actual dollars vrs a 11 million cap hit remaining. horcoff likely will not finnish this contract as an oiler unless the new cba is a radical victory for the owners and scales back salaries 4 or 5 years
- Oilerulez

YEah, I suppose the floor is shooting up isn't it. It would really depend on the return.

I'm not really in favour of dumping Horcoff just to save money. After all, with the cap going up, we're not really in a money crunch this year.

At least my head isnt stuck up my ass.
- Oilfan19

Careful now, Undisputed thinks he could run an NHL team and run the Oilers cause he reads HB and has 20/20 hindsight vision so he would make better moves than Oilers management ever has done, based on how things have panned out. Dont mess with that guy.

Gags is worse and he's a pansy he loses battles every time and I'm tired of hearing of his potential he has trade value now after this season he won't
- jaredwildzee

No offence here but you're an idiot. Gags is a far better option than Arnott at this point. I'm not sure where you got the idea that Arnott is some bruising power forward but hes never really been tough for a guy his size, he's old as hell and makes Strudwick look like a speed demon. Signing Arnott would be completely pointless and do nothing for the Oilers.

Gags is all heart. Hes not going anywhere
- Oilfan19

This is funny!! The most shopped Oiler over the past 3 seasons and you clima he isn't going anywhere. All heart is laughable as well!

Careful now, Undisputed thinks he could run an NHL team and run the Oilers cause he reads HB and has 20/20 hindsight vision so he would make better moves than Oilers management ever has done, based on how things have panned out. Dont mess with that guy.
- ruttager17

Keep playing that "first" game there Rutt!! It looks like sooo much fun!! I still stand by my statement in saying I couldn't have done worse than current management as per 3 1st overall picks!!

I disagree but time will tell our top center needs time to fill outyou can't have 2(my humble opinion) L.A will crush us we need some size Gags and Hemsky are the only expendable guys and Hemsky has no trade value(yet)
- jaredwildzee

Fixed. Use your (frank)ing head.

LA will crush us?? How about we make the (frank)ing playoffs first before we worry about how we match up against the defending Stanley Cup (frank)ing champions. (frank) sakes..

This is funny!! The most shopped Oiler over the past 3 seasons and you clima he isn't going anywhere. All heart is laughable as well!
- undisputed_8821

Shopped only by the oxygen thieves on Hockeybuzz. I haven't seen any credible sources say Gagner has ever been seriously shopped by the Oilers.

This is funny!! The most shopped Oiler over the past 3 seasons and you clima he isn't going anywhere. All heart is laughable as well!
- undisputed_8821

I know of no trades he was included in...please post some info for me?

EDIT: I do remember that the failed Heatley trade had a few guys mentioned, but none were Gags.

EDIT2: Also want to include the fact that Tambi is on record saying that Gags is included in the future plans of building this team.

I know of no trades he was included in...please post some info for me?
- OilHorse

Fact are facts people he IS the most expendable player the Oilers have! I am not sayinng we should trade him but that is the fact!! Mueller as pointed out stats are 253 Gp and 143 points 0.56 PPG. Gagner 0.61. Mueller is bigger 6'2 204lbs and has never played with any talent! Arnott @ 37 pass Mueller @24 and more likely than not cheaper YES PLEASE!!

Shopped only by the oxygen thieves on Hockeybuzz. I haven't seen any credible sources say Gagner has ever been seriously shopped by the Oilers.
- GuyLaDouche

This.

Why does no one understand this FACT.

Fact are facts people he IS the most expendable player the Oilers have! I am not sayinng we should trade him but that is the fact!! Mueller as pointed out stats are 253 Gp and 143 points 0.56 PPG. Gagner 0.61. Mueller is bigger 6'2 204lbs and has never played with any talent! Arnott @ 37 pass Mueller @24 and more likely than not cheaper YES PLEASE!!
- undisputed_8821

He is the 2nd most expendable in the top 6, 1st being Hemsky. Anyone in the bottom 6 is also more expendable than Gagner. Get your "facts" straight.

Mueller might be an upgrade on Gagner, but it is still a huge gamble with injuries and the fact Gagner is more skilled.

He is the 2nd most expendable in the top 6, 1st being Hemsky. Anyone in the bottom 6 is also more expendable than Gagner. Get your "facts" straight.

Mueller might be an upgrade on Gagner, but it is still a huge gamble with injuries and the fact Gagner is more skilled.
- abware

With no realistic options for #2 C after Gagner, i would suggest hes even less expendable than that. who would replace him? Horcoff?(shudder). Belanger? No. Lander? Way too raw. Pitlick? Not ready yet. Mueller? Too many injury questions. Arnott? Way too (frank)ing old.

Unless we have someone that can actually replace what he does, I don't really want Gagner moved at all...unless its a complete robbery of a return. Just creates another gaping hole.

Teehee.

With no realistic options for #2 C after Gagner, i would suggest hes even less expendable than that. who would replace him? Horcoff?(shudder). Belanger? No. Lander? Way too raw. Pitlick? Not ready yet. Mueller? Too many injury questions. Arnott? Way too (frank)ing old.

Unless we have someone that can actually replace what he does, I don't really want Gagner moved at all...unless its a complete robbery of a return. Just creates another gaping hole.

Teehee.
- GuyLaDouche

We could fill it with Semin, if only he was a center.

Well said, and I agree 100%

We could fill it with Semin, if only he was a center.

Well said, and I agree 100%
- abware

Haha, nice one.

I know of no trades he was included in...please post some info for me?

EDIT: I do remember that the failed Heatley trade had a few guys mentioned, but none were Gags.

EDIT2: Also want to include the fact that Tambi is on record saying that Gags is included in the future plans of building this team.
- OilHorse

I thought the oilers offered him and prv for yandle?
And pho put it out as the offer to beat... Thought this was common knowledge.
Didnt dreger say this? Dont really remember though.

Isnt this what we've been talkin about since the deadline?

Id also like like to include the fact that krueger is on record sayin he wants to try a natural winger to take his position. Not exactly a vote of confidence.
maybe he just wants them to switch positions. But still curious.