Edmonton Oilers sign Sam Gagner
The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Sam Gagner to a two-year contract worth $4.55 million. The new deal will see Gagner make $2.275 million per-season. The contract kept the restricted free agent from becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Gagner was drafted by the Oilers sixth overall in the 2007 National Hockey League entry draft. The Ontario native had an impressive final season in the Ontario Hockey League with the London Knights, notching 118 points in 53 games. The extraordinary statistics in his final year of junior caused the Oilers to put the 21-year-old into the line-up immediately in 2007-08. In his first season with the club Gagner performed well, amassing 13 goals and 36 assists for 49 points. Since then Gagner has put up steady numbers for Edmonton and is considered one of the clubs most valued prospects.
Retaining Gagner was a major part of Edmonton’s plan going into the 2010 off-season. The youngster represents an important part of their future and is currently the clubs second line centre. With last season’s injuries to both Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky, Gagner was asked to assume an even larger role with an Edmonton club that struggled for most of the year, finishing last in the league.
The 2010-11 campaign is an important one for Gagne as the club is looking to improve on last year’s dreadful showing. Thought to have not yet reached his potential the Oilers brass are hoping that Gagne will finally be able to get over the 50-point hump and become a legitimate second-line player.
With a plethora of young forwards such as Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson playing their rookie seasons in 2010-11, players such as Gagne and Gilbert Brule will be asked to step up and contribute on the score sheet more often.
Last season with the Oilers Gagner managed 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points in 68 games.
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