Oilers insider updates Sam Gagner career plans on 35th birthday

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Liam McCormick
August 12, 2024 (1:37 PM)

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Just two days ago, veteran NHL journeyman and Oilers legend Sam Gagner celebrated his 35th birthday, and made another commitment to playing next season.

According to Kurt Leavins in the Edmonton Journal yesterday, Gagner is training for the upcoming season and has been running his Muskoka Training Camp as usual this summer. Leavins reports there's a possibility that the Oilers have offered Gagner a role in the player development department.

Sam Gagner was selected sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2007 NHL Draft, and has since carved out a career of 1043 games as a talented offensive depth forward. He's played 10 seasons with the Oilers over three separate stints with the team, also playing for the Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings, and the Winnipeg Jets. Over his career, he's scored 197 goals and 529 points, and only played 11 playoff games.

If Gagner is returning to play next season, it likely won't be with the Edmonton Oilers. He only played 28 games last season, and practically none after the acquisition of Corey Perry. If he gets another shot in the NHL, it'll likely be a professional tryout on a rebuilding team. If he decides to retire, hopefully he stays on with the Oilers organization - he's been a beloved presence on this team for so many years.

Source: Edmonton Journal

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