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Oilers Sign Gagner To PTO |
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This is a deal that's been heavily rumoured over the past couple of weeks but on Monday morning the Oilers made it official, announcing they had signed forward Sam Gagner to a PTO. The 34 year old forward was originally drafted by the team 6th overall in 2007. Gagner would go on to have a fairly successful career, playing 1015 games with 192 goals and 519 points.
Over the past few years, Gagner has had to adjust his game from that of a top six forward to a bottom six forward; something he had done fairly successfully. In 21/22 with the Red Wings he averaged the most time on their PK while still putting up 31 points in 81 games.
Last season Gagner played 48 games for the Winnipeg Jets before having to undergo a hip surgery that left him out for the rest of the season. Gagner finished that season with 8 goals and 14 points in 48 games.
Most Oilers fans were understandably pretty meh on the Brandon Sutter PTO but Gagner was always a fan favorite in Edmonton and Oilers fans will certainly be rooting for the right shot to stick with the team and play likely the last season of his career with the Edmonton Oilers.
There is certainly room for Gagner to make it on this team. The weakest positions for the team up front are the 4th line centre position and the right side, Gagner could chip in on either front, potentially even having the skill to slot in the top six for very short periods of time if the coach is looking for a quick shakeup.
Gagner joins the likes of Pederson, Sutter, Caggiula, Lavoie and Malone who will be duking it out for a spot on the Oilers roster. I'll be rooting for Sam Gagner and Lavoie from this group the most. Regardless of whether he makes it or not, it will still feel good to see Sam Gagner in an Oilers jersey once more come the start of training camp.
Thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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