** Update: Monday, 11:07 am: The Oilers have officially signed Sam Gagner to a professional tryout.
Gagner rejoins the Oilers for a third tenure, having been initially drafted by the team in 2007 (sixth overall). In his previous stretches, he participated in 402 matches until 2013-14, amassing 88 goals and 158 assists for a total of 246 points.
The 34-year-old veteran made a comeback to the Oil Country during the 2018-19 season, contributing to 61 games with 10 goals and 12 assists, amassing 22 points. However, he was subsequently traded prior to the trade deadline in 2020.
* Previous Post: Sunday, August 27, 2023: Gagner teases Oilers signing on Instagram
Sam Gagner looks like he’s just having fun with fans of the Edmonton Oilers this summer. While no official announcement has been made regarding his potentially joining the team on a professional tryout basis (PTO), he seems to be teasing such a move on his social media feed.
The post seems to have been removed now, but a screenshot made its way around the Internet on Saturday as fans pointed out that Gagner shared a photo of himself on a canvas print in an Oilers’ uniform. The photo appears to be a collage of a series of other photos, collected together to see him celebrating as a member of the team. The shot appears to be from his now-famous 8-point game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
This past month, a notable source seemingly confirming this potential move is Gagner’s former teammate, Luke Gazdic, who shared what he’d been hearing on Sportsnet 960. He figured the deal was going to be announced, even though nothing had yet.
Others have picked up on the story, including Kurt Leavins of The Edmonton Journal, along with other outlets, many of whom think it’s a matter of time before the news is made official.
For all we know, this might be nothing and it might be Gagner throwing out feelers in the hopes that the Oilers pick up the scent and invite him to camp.
Again, there is no confirmation of this signing happening yet and it’s important to remember, that a professional tryout (PTO) is precisely that—a trial period. If he finds his niche within the Oilers’ lineup, fantastic. Otherwise, there’s the chance he could find a spot with another team. Alternatively, he might discover a role with the Bakersfield AHL team, potentially leading to a call-up when necessary. PTOs offer flexibility without commitments, and these players might motivate those on the brink of securing full-time positions.
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