Sam Gagner was named the third star of the week for his play last week.
.@89SGagner is the @NHL's 3rd star of the week! #CBJ
— ColumbusBlueJackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 12, 2016
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Gagner had three goals and three assists over three games, recording 11 shots on goal. He had very strong possession numbers with a 57.3% Corsi at 5 on 5 over those games, per Natural Stat Trick.
Gagner has been getting plenty of attention this week, from being mentioned in Elliotte Friedman’s 30 Thoughts, for being a part of the Blue Jackets strong top power play unit, to being written about, by Travis Yost, who identified Gagner as one of the most valuable players signed from the bargain bin this off-season.
Gagner has been an absolute steal for the Jackets. He came to the Jackets after a terrible season in Philadelphia. He was looking for a chance to rebuild his value as a player and the Blue Jackets had an opening. They have given Gagner the chance to play regular minutes at 5 on 5 and gave him a big role on the power play. Gagner has always had the reputation as more of a play-maker but he has been a revelation as a goal scorer. For the most part Gagner plays on the third line, averaging 13:37 minutes a game in all situations, but he currently leads the Blue Jackets in goals with 11.
When you take into account the minutes Gagner plays he has been one of the most effective scorers in the league. Yost mentions this is his post but it’s worth saying again. At 5 on 5 Gagner scores 1.62 goals per 60 minutes. That ranks 6th in the NHL behind Sidney Crosby, Michael Grabner, David Pastrnak, Rickard Rakell and James Van Riemsdyk.
He is someone who even when things weren’t going well has always been a player who pushes play forward. With the Jackets he has a 50.74% Corsi at 5 on 5. If he can maintain that mark for the rest of the season it will be his third straight season over 50%.
Sam Gagner signed with the Blue Jackets for under a million dollars. He has provided the team with elite level goal scoring which is a big reason why the Jackets are currently sitting as one of the best teams in the NHL.
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