Edmonton Oilers

Former Oiler Fan Favorite Joins Belleville Senators on PTO

Former NHL forward and Edmonton Oilers icon Sam Gagner is getting a professional tryout with the Belleville Senators.

by
Jim Parsons
January 24, 2025

Proving it’s not about the money and that he absolutely loves the game so much he’ll play wherever he gets a look, the Belleville Senators announced that veteran forward Sam Gagner has signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the American Hockey League club.

ROSTER UPDATE: Veteran forward Sam Gagner has agreed to a professional tryout with the Belleville Sens.

Read more 📰 https://t.co/ZVUd4s9OAE pic.twitter.com/sMYb8jZ120
— Belleville Senators (@BellevilleSens) January 24, 2025

The 35-year-old brings over 1,000 NHL games of NHL experience, with 529 points (197 goals, 332 assists) across his career. Gagner spent parts of last season with the Edmonton Oilers but was not given a contract in 2024-25. He was hoping to make an NHL roster over the summer, but that didn’t pan out either. He’s going to give the AHL a try.

Drafted sixth overall by the Oilers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Gagner has moved around a lot in his career. He spent seven seasons with Edmonton before runs with the Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, and Winnipeg Jets.

Last season, Gagner appeared in 28 NHL games with the Oilers, contributing 10 points (five goals, five assists). He also recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) in 15 games with the Bakersfield Condors, Edmonton’s AHL affiliate. Playing in the AHL is nothing new for Gagner. He’s been up and down from that league since the 2015-26 season.

Sam Gagner AHL tryout Belleville Senators

Can Gagner Get a Contract and One More Shot in the NHL?

Gagner has logged 71 AHL games throughout his career, tallying 56 points (18 goals, 38 assists) during stops with Bakersfield, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and the Toronto Marlies. Belleville is getting a motivated player, even if it’s not clear how much game he’s got left.

Gagner is expected to debut in Belleville tonight as the Senators host the Hershey Bears. The hope will be he earns a contract and if he plays well, could eventually be a call-up. That feels like a long shot at this point, but Gagner seems ready to give it a try.

Next: Oilers Dominate in Disciplined Win Against On Tilt Canucks