The 2022-23 Winnipeg Jets forward has officially made his presence felt with the Edmonton Oilers.
The Winnipeg Jets of 2022-23 underwent a number of changes to become the team they are today. One player lost in the shuffle was veteran forward Sam Gagner.
On Halloween, Gagner signed a one-year, $775K deal to return to Edmonton for the third time in his career, going back to the team that drafted him sixth overall in 2007 and then picked him back up for a second stint in 2018.
He initially agreed to a professional tryout with the Oilers in September, but found himself sent down to the American Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors. He quickly earned his shot at an NHL deal and has taken the full process in stride.
Gagner, now 34, is about as committed a bottom-six forward as one could find, and recently skated in his 1,000th NHL contest with the Jets last year, becoming just the 375th player all-time to hit that milestone.
The London, ON. product joined Winnipeg last season on a league-minimum deal and served as a veteran leader within the dressing room amid a season of uncertainty.
Just three seasons removed from what was his third stint in the minors, Gagner scored the game-winner in the team's home opener, while going on to put up two goals in Winnipeg's first three games, and three in its first six.
He was shut down for the year following the February 28th matchup with the Kings, as he opted to get a surgical procedure on his hips.
He was named as Winnipeg's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee following the season.
Gagner has gone on to produce 519 points (192 goals, 327 assists) over his 1,015 career games for Edmonton, Arizona, Philadelphia, Columbus, Vancouver, Detroit and Winnipeg. He had eight goals and 14 points in 48 games last season.
"When Gagner was on the ice, it felt like the whole team was pushing," writes The Hockey News colleague Caleb Kerney. "Gagner was working hard, not giving up on any play but also showing great puck skills and offensive awareness - something Adam Erne doesn't have to the same extent."
In his debut with the Oilers on Thursday, Gagner potted two goals on five shots in 13 minutes of ice time. He even made his way onto Edmonton's second power play unit.