Call me crazy, but doesn’t David Jones play a much more physical role, along with being one of the Oilers better defensive forwards, and STILL scores nearly as much as Gagner.

Unless I’m way out in left field, that seems like a totally bizarre comparison. My perception of him was that the things he offers PRIMARILY are those other than scoring. Scoring at a rate near Gagner is more a bonus.
- prock

Not Ryan Jones on the Oilers, but David Jones on the Avalanche. For the record Ryan Jones is generally about 15 points behind Gagner as well.

considering David Jones doesn't play for the Oilers, I'd say it's safe to call you crazy.
- Zombie

I'm mixing two guys up here.

Not Ryan Jones on the Oilers, but David Jones on the Avalanche. For the record Ryan Jones is generally about 15 points behind Gagner as well.
- Morris

yeah, I'm just getting very screwed up between two players.

Not Ryan Jones on the Oilers, but David Jones on the Avalanche. For the record Ryan Jones is generally about 15 points behind Gagner as well.
- Morris

yeah, I'm just getting very screwed up between two players.

yeah, I'm just getting very screwed up between two players.
- prock

Good thing you had two or three guys jumping all over you, eh?

Good thing you had two or three guys jumping all over you, eh?
- Morris

You get why I thought the comparison was so bizarre, don’t you? I thought “wait a sec, he’s a big energy guy that knocks people around, plays a lot of PK, and still manages to put the puck in the net a fair bit”…. Absolutely 100% nothing like Sam Gagner.

I personally like Gagner, the kid is 22! Yes, he's had some time in the NHL and he hasn't broke the 50pts mark, but I am going to be optimistic about this upcoming season as another year of experience on the club and having some healthy bodies can improve his stats. I am not sure I am a fan of his salary jumping over $3.5M. I think of what Duchene got in COL 2YR $7M, Gagner is not Duchene's caliber.
- deks1

Honestly if Gagner never scored more than 45 points I'd be fine with him. He seems to work on other areas of the game as well. I see him being a 50% faceoff guy one day, a guy that plays the PK and can be valuable on the PP.

For 3.5mil, can't ask for more out of your 2nd line center.

As for the Duchene comparison, keep in mind that Duchene is a couple years older and only took a 2 year deal. Gagner taking 3-5 years just means he gets more money.

I'm mixing two guys up here.
- prock

No kidding, you are so confused that their really isn't much point in you being here.

You get why I thought the comparison was so bizarre, don’t you? I thought “wait a sec, he’s a big energy guy that knocks people around, plays a lot of PK, and still manages to put the puck in the net a fair bit”…. Absolutely 100% nothing like Sam Gagner.
- prock

Except he isn't that big and doesn't really knock people around (assuming you are talking about R Jones)..... not that either of those things are really that important in winning hockey games.

You get why I thought the comparison was so bizarre, don’t you? I thought “wait a sec, he’s a big energy guy that knocks people around, plays a lot of PK, and still manages to put the puck in the net a fair bit”…. Absolutely 100% nothing like Sam Gagner.
- prock

So being 1" and 5lbs heavier makes Jones a big guy? And Sam is a runt? You obviously know little about the Oilers and have a hate on for Gagner so why don't you just go away.

Honestly if Gagner never scored more than 45 points I'd be fine with him. He seems to work on other areas of the game as well. I see him being a 50% faceoff guy one day, a guy that plays the PK and can be valuable on the PP.

For 3.5mil, can't ask for more out of your 2nd line center.

As for the Duchene comparison, keep in mind that Duchene is a couple years older and only took a 2 year deal. Gagner taking 3-5 years just means he gets more money.
- Lahey

No, gagner is a couple years older.

Signing sammy to a more lucrative and longer term contract than matt duchene is typical oiler mgmt

No, gagner is a couple years older.

Signing sammy to a more lucrative and longer term contract than matt duchene is typical oiler mgmt
- hugefemale dog77

It should be noted that Colorado themselves signed both David Jones and PA Parenteau to bigger contracts than Duchene as well, so we're not the only ones that are mixed up.

No, gagner is a couple years older.

Signing sammy to a more lucrative and longer term contract than matt duchene is typical oiler mgmt
- hugefemale dog77

Avalanch have some weird things going right now, signing D Jones for more then Duchene and Johnson.

Also, Duchene had a horrible season last year, I kind of think his past contract was "give me a short one and I'll put up some big numbers for the next 2 years and then cash in".

Duchene also has lots of RFA years left, while we are hoping to eat up some of Gagner's UFA years.

No kidding, you are so confused that their really isn't much point in you being here.
- Zombie

Prock is a June Bug to the shinning light that is a Sam Gagner thread.

Prock is a June Bug to the shinning light that is a Sam Gagner thread.
- robin_steele264

Unhealthy obssesion.

So being 1" and 5lbs heavier makes Jones a big guy? And Sam is a runt? You obviously know little about the Oilers and have a hate on for Gagner so why don't you just go away.
- abware

Sure he's not much bigger, but he sure as (frank) plays a lot bigger.

No, gagner is a couple years older.

Signing sammy to a more lucrative and longer term contract than matt duchene is typical oiler mgmt
- hugefemale dog77

It's kind how it goes, especially when taking UFA years from a guy.

And how do you know that? Do you actually watch the guy play?
- Oilfan19

It sure sounds like a safer bet then coming out and saying he is bound for greatness. Just because a few star players started out with low points at the start of their career, does not mean that every player with low points at the start of their career will be a star. Gagner is a smallish average #2C, nothing more. He will likely see an increase in points over the next few years as he benefits from the star players around him, but that will not make him a star. Star players make the players around them better, Gagner needs star players around him to make him better.

Here's a list of recent contracts for players that either have comparable play/production or simply have cap hits in the 3 to high 4s range.
Peter Mueller - 1.725
Mason Raymond - 2.275
Nick Foligno - 3.083
David Perron - 3.813
Ducehene - 3.5
D. Jones - 4.0
Parenteau - 4.0
Peverley - 3.25
Hudler - 4.0
Ruutuu - 4.75
Umberger - 4.625
Stoll -3.25
Penner - 3.25
Hanzal - 3
Kunitz - 3.75
Stewart - 3
Jokinen - 4.5

Now, I don't think Sam SHOULD get 4+ as a UFA, but judging by what some of these players did get, he could get 4+ on the market, especially with some teams struggling to reach the cap floor.

It sure sounds like a safer bet then coming out and saying he is bound for greatness. Just because a few star players started out with low points at the start of their career, does not mean that every player with low points at the start of their career will be a star. Gagner is a smallish average #2C, nothing more. He will likely see an increase in points over the next few years as he benefits from the star players around him, but that will not make him a star. Star players make the players around them better, Gagner needs star players around him to make him better.
- gstrandberg

So your saying you havent actually seen the guy play. You stare at stats. Kessel for Hart?

I wonder how much is he expecting from his $2.275M, I think $3.5Mper is a fair salary increase on 3-4 YRs

It sure sounds like a safer bet then coming out and saying he is bound for greatness. Just because a few star players started out with low points at the start of their career, does not mean that every player with low points at the start of their career will be a star. Gagner is a smallish average #2C, nothing more. He will likely see an increase in points over the next few years as he benefits from the star players around him, but that will not make him a star. Star players make the players around them better, Gagner needs star players around him to make him better.
- gstrandberg

Most Oilers fans contend at the most that he's "worth keeping around". I.E. that he hasn't failed his audition. A lot of the trolls that come in here won't even cede that possibility, so that's when life gets a little tiresome. It's not like anyone's claiming Gagner is or will definitely be a world beater.

I think most Oilers fans don't have any more hopes for Gagner than a guy that looks pretty average on his own, and is smart enough to rise to the level of better linemates. Frankly, his commitment to improving his game (and the improvements that are starting to show from that commitment) means more to me than point totals.

So your saying you havent actually seen the guy play. You stare at stats. Kessel for Hart?
- Oilfan19

I don't think you really need to see him play to realize it's highly unlikely he's a star.

Worst case he stays where he's at and is a slightly above average second line center.

Best case he rounds into a Weiss caliber top end 2nd line/bottom end 1st line center.

So your saying you havent actually seen the guy play. You stare at stats. Kessel for Hart?
- Oilfan19

I watch every Oilers game I can.......

Kessel sucks.... 12 hits last year from the pansy.

I don't think you really need to see him play to realize it's highly unlikely he's a star.

Worst case he stays where he's at and is a slightly above average second line center.

Best case he rounds into a Weiss caliber top end 2nd line/bottom end 1st line center.
- Zombie

Who said star? We dont need him as a 1st line center. I just find it rediculous that everyone is bashing a 22 year old that has improved every year he has played. He is becoming a very well rounded player and will be a guy wearing an A very soon.