Jets invited Gagner along for ride

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This article was published 02/09/2022 (1191 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sam Gagner has carved out an impressive hockey career since being drafted sixth-overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2007. Now the versatile forward, just 33 games short of 1,000, is set to hit that milestone as a member of the Winnipeg Jets.

Gagner, 33, signed a one-year contract Friday which will pay him the league minimum of US $750,000.

“There had been some mutual interest throughout the summer and talks got a little more serious the last few days,” Gagner told the Free Press in a telephone interview from his Ontario home. “I see a fit. It’s a team that wants to compete for a playoff spot and to be a contender, and that’s exciting for me. It’s something that I’ve wanted to be a part of and am looking forward to the opportunity.”

Gagner checks off plenty of boxes. He can play both centre and wing and is a right-handed shot, which the Jets don’t have much of up front.

“I think that I’ve evolved over the years. I was more of an offensive power play guy earlier in my career. And last couple of years, I’ve been tasked with a lot of penalty kill minutes and playing in more of a defensive role and I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job there,” he said.

Gagner will also help fill the leadership/mentoring void left by the departure of Paul Stastny, who recently signed a deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.

“I do feel that I’ve gained perspective and experience over my years and I think I can help be another voice in the room to help lead,” he said. “You know, I think the biggest factor in doing that is bringing your game on the ice and making sure that you’re doing your job.”

Gagner had 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 81 contests last year with the Detroit Red Wings. His best offensive season came in 2016-17 when he had 50 points (18 goals, 32 assists) with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Overall, he has 505 career points (184 goals, 321 assists) in his 967 games.

“Whatever is needed from me, I’m willing to do. I want the opportunity to compete and the chance to win and I feel like I can help the group,” he said.

This will be the seventh NHL stop for the son of long-time former NHLer Dave Gagner, who played 15 seasons in the league. Fun fact: He shares an Oilers franchise record along with Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey for points in a game, racking up eight (four goals, four assists) in a 2012 match against Chicago.

Gagner said he’s excited to return to a hockey-crazed Canadian market.

“I understand the pressures that come with it. I also love the fact that hockey is number one,” he said. “I love the game. I love to play it. I love to watch it. I love talking about it. And anytime you can be in a market like Winnipeg, where it’s really important to everybody, that’s very exciting. So, for my family, we’re pumped to get there. We’re pumped to be part of the community and looking forward to getting started.”

In addition to Stastny, the Jets have also lost Kristian Vesalainen (to Sweden) and free-agent depth forwards Evgeny Svechnikov, Adam Brooks, Zach Sanford, Austin Poganski and CJ Suess this summer. Prior to inking Gagner, the club had only added forwards Kevin Stenlund, Saku Maenalanen and Alex Limoges. Stenlund has dressed for 71 career NHL games, Maenalanen for just 34, and Limgoes is straight out of college and has yet to taste big-league action.

“I’ve learned to be effective in a bottom six role. I think for a lot of guys that can be a hard transition, to go from power-play minutes, top six minutes. You still have to find ways to be effective and find ways to produce,” said Gagner.

“I think I can bring creativity to whatever line I’m on. I feel like I have good hockey sense. There’s a lot of great players on the team, and I’m hoping to complement them and fill in wherever I can. Just help the Jets take another step forward. I know last year was a disappointing season and just talking to guys, they’re looking forward to bounce back and I’m looking forward to being part of that.”

Training camp is set to begin on Sept. 22, with the first of six pre-season games going on Sept. 25 in Edmonton. Winnipeg will drop the puck on the 2022-23 regular campaign on Oct. 14 when the team hosts the New York Rangers at Canada Life Centre.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg