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August 29, 2023Oilers Sign Gagner to PTO
EDMONTON, AB - JANUARY 18: Edmonton Oilers Winger Sam Gagner (89) celebrates his goal in the first period during the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Arizona Coyotes on January 18, 2019 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire)
August 28, 2023 by Ryan Lotsberg
The Edmonton Oilers signed Sam Gagner to a professional tryout on Monday. Heavy Hockey’s own Michael Hebert (@oilerslive) first reported that Gagner was set to return on August 14.
If signed, this would be Gagner’s third stint with the Oilers. He was drafted by the Oilers with the sixth overall pick in 2007 and played with the club until 2014. He rejoined the club in 2018 and was a part of the 2020 deadline trade that brought Andreas Athanasiou to Edmonton. Gagner’s most memorable game as an Oiler was his magical eight point night against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 12, 2012. The 34-year old has 519 points in 1,015 career NHL games with the Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, and Winnipeg Jets. He scored 14 points in 48 games with the Jets last season.
Gagner finished last season on the injury reserve after undergoing two separate hip procedures. His skating has never been a strength of his game, but the hip issues haven’t helped his cause over the last couple of seasons. Gagner is a smart player with a great set of hands, and he can still contribute to an NHL lineup if his hips will allow for his skating to be up to snuff. He’s a candidate to fill the empty slot on the right side of the fourth line, along with Raphael Lavoie and fellow PTO recipient Brandon Sutter, who the Oilers also announced that they signed today. This is a sentimental PTO for Oilers fans, but it’s a worthwhile gamble from a hockey perspective as well.
Related: Sam Gagner could return for third tour of duty with Oilers
If nothing else, Gagner could end up in Bakersfield to play with and help develop Oilers prospects. Hebert suggested that Gagner will likely end up with the organization in some capacity after he retires. There have been notable departures to the Player Personnel department this summer, and I can’t help but wonder if Gagner will end up being a part of a new look Player Development department for the Oilers sometime soon.
