In recent days, a familiar name has been popping up in relation to the Edmonton Oilers. Multiple insiders and Oilers journalists have been linking Sam Gagner to the team, and the player himself has been seen spotted with a few members of the team over the off-season. Does that mean Gagner is returning to the Oilers on a professional tryout? Nothing has been confirmed, but the idea is starting to gain a bit of steam.
It started when Jeff Jackson was named the new CEO of Hockey Operations for the Oilers. Those that know Jackson’s previous gig know that he was a bigwig in the Wasserman Group as an agent and when he left for Edmonton, many of his client list went to Dave Gagner (Sam’s dad).
From there Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer took the time on social media to show special love for Gagner, writing on August 10, “Born on this date…34 years ago… Very popular player on and off the ice for the @EdmontonOilers… Sam Gagner. EDM’s 1st round pick, 6th overall in 2007 registered 317 points in 542 GP with the Oilers. Now played over 1000 NHL GP.”
Fans who know Stauffer know that he rarely drops hints about a player unless there’s something to it. He’s as plugged-in a host as there is when it comes to what management is thinking in Edmonton and he’s often the unofficial bridge between the team and fans, without officially letting anything leak.
Stauffer hasn’t come right out and said the Oilers are signing Gagner to a PTO, but Edmonton just recently brought Brandon Sutter in after not playing hockey for two seasons due to longstanding COVID issues. Gagner would be no worse a gamble than Sutter.
Finally, Gagner has been seen chumming around with the Oilers of late. A recent photo popped up of himself and Leon Draisaitl as the two are clearly chilling during their summer vacation.
Does any of this mean that the Oilers will offer Gagner and contract? No. In fact, they can’t afford to. Every penny they have needs to be allocated for Evan Bouchard’s next deal, which has yet to be finalized. But, if Gagner is unsigned and he wants to keep playing in the NHL, a PTO is the way to go and there’s a very good chance he’s offered the opportunity to make the Oilers out of camp.
Edmonton needs depth for their AHL team and options in the event of an injury. If Gagner were to sign a two-way deal out of a PTO, he’d potentially be a great fit.
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Realist
August 12, 2023 at 10:22 am
A PTO and being on the team are two very different things,
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