Former Winnipeg Jets forward Sam Gagner has opted to sign a professional tryout with the Edmonton Oilers.
Sam Gagner is heading back to Edmonton.
No, it's not a sure thing, but the veteran forward has agreed to a professional tryout with the team that drafted him No. 6 overall at the 2007 NHL Draft, and then picked him back up for a second stint in 2018.
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 Winnipeg Jets this past season, becoming just the 375th player all-time to hit that milestone.
The London, ON. product joined the Jets 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.
The now Edmonton-bound forward will look to crack the Oilers' roster for the third time and cement his place in both a new building and a new lineup.