Veteran Canadian forward Sam Gagner hasn’t played yet this season and, at 35 years of age, it’s entirely possible that he’s played his last professional hockey.

However, multiple Swedish media outlets, including website HockeyNews.se, have claimed in recent days that Gagner is currently in Stockholm, Sweden and has been seen practising with HockeyAllsevenskan club Djurgården.

“We’ll see,” was Gagner’s response when asked if he plans to sign with the club, according to TV4. “I haven't made a decision, so I’m open to everything. We’ll see what happens. We’re taking it one day at a time now.”

The TV station’s website reports that Gagner is in Stockholm to visit friend and former teammate Alexander Edler. It also reports that Gagner will play for Canada at the upcoming Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland, although Hockey Canada has not yet announced its roster for the tournament.

Djurgården is a historic Swedish club but is currently toiling in Sweden’s second tier. Last season, Djurgården was swept in the HockeyAllsvenskan finals to Brynäs IF, which now leads the SHL standings, so fortunes can change in a hurry. Djurgården currently sits fourth in the 14-team league’s standings with 61 points in 28 games.

The players on the team’s roster ranges from 18-year-old draft prospect Victor Eklund to 41-year-old Patrick Thoresen, who is apparently the link that got his ex-teammate in contact with the club.

“I played with Patrick one year in Edmonton in 2007-08,” Gagner said about the process that’s lead him onto the ice with Djurgården. “It was a long time ago but I got in touch with him and got (GM) Niklas (Wikegård)’s number. They’ve made all the arrangements – everything’s top class. I’m very grateful to be able to practise with them.”

If he signs with Djurgården, it would be his first contract to play in Europe. 

Gagner, who was chosen sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, played 1047 NHL regular-season games for the Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and Winnipeg Jets between 2007 and 2024, recording 529 points and 450 penalty minutes. He also played 11 playoff games for Philadelphia and Columbus, tallying four assists.

He spent last season back in the Oilers organization, recording 10 points in 28 NHL games and nine points in 15 AHL games with the Bakersfield Condors.

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