Sam Gagner

[Axeman33]

So what do people around here think about Sam Gagner this year in Arizona?

Is he still a bad contract or does he finally start to look like a kid who is worth the 4.8M he is costing the Coyotes.

Does he instantly become the top line center or does he get moved to the wing?

Does he finally get over the 50 pt plateau this year in points for the first time in his career?

What do you think about Sam Gagner this year in Arizona?

[rataylor22]

So many questions! I think you'll get much of what you saw in Edmonton in terms of numbers, and I think he should play wing but might have to play center.

[petegreg21]

If he can find a way to get time with Boedker, I like his chances to get to 50. If he's stuck playing with guys like Erat and Korpikoski and Klinkhammer I don't see him making too much noise in the desert. I guess the plus side is he'll be leaned on pretty heavily for offence, so maybe that combined with the change in scenery will blow the cobwebs out of his head.

[rataylor22]

If he can find a way to get time with Boedker, I like his chances to get to 50. If he's stuck playing with guys like Erat and Korpikoski and Klinkhammer I don't see him making too much noise in the desert. I guess the plus side is he'll be leaned on pretty heavily for offence, so maybe that combined with the change in scenery will blow the cobwebs out of his head.

Did Erat go back to the Yotes?

[petegreg21]

Did Erat go back to the Yotes?

Still under contract for another year... did I miss something???

[Savvy1982]

I see him as the 2C at least to start, but teams are drooling over Vermette's low cap hit and short contract.

If Vermette is dealt to a contender, and it's at least 50/50 that he will be, then Gagner is the new #1 Center, and he takes a big jump up in value.

[rataylor22]

Still under contract for another year... did I miss something???

Totally forgot he got traded there. He was so irrelevant in my mind lol.

[back check]

I am not in a cap league, but it seems to be that 4.8 isn't crazy big for a good second line centre. I agree with petergreg21 that a lot will depend on his linemates and with Savvy1982 that if Vermette is traded Sam becomes the man. Given all their back-end talent you'd think there would be some forwards who reap the rewards (so often we say it works the other way - average D-men on high scoring teams get points just for being on the ice). Its not like he was getting great tape to tape break out passes in Edmonton.

So, perhaps we finally get to see if the problem in Edmonton is something other than raw talent. The only hiccup is that the culture in Arizona is also part of the equation - its where scorers go to die.

Conclusion: I see a small uptick in his production, but not much.

[Cobretti]

$4.8 for Gagne, are you insane? He's a 40 pt player, that's it!

Look around the league at what $4.8 mil buys you...Backes, Pacioretty, Neal, Gaborik

[Axeman33]

$4.8 for Gagne, are you insane? He's a 40 pt player, that's it!

Look around the league at what $4.8 mil buys you...Backes, Pacioretty, Neal, Gaborik

Well I didnt sign him. I am just relaying the information. Thats his contract.

[CHunter]

I think he'll be a 45-50 pts player this year not more than that....Arizona isn't an offensive force so I would be surprise to se more than 2 players above 50 pts.....My guess would be Yandle and Boedker.....Gagner finishes at 47....

[Carcillo]

I expect him to center their top offensive line with Hanzal's and Vermette's lines carrying the heavy defensive minutes. Gagner should have key offensive role there replacing Ribeiro. I expect him to be a center in Arizona and I expect him to have a good year. Can see him putting up 50 points next season.

With Tampa retaining $1.6 million of Gagner's contract, Arizona got a real bargain here. They have Gagner for the next two seasons at just $3.2 million. That's great value for Coyotes. They couldn't have found a better young player at such a cheap price and low trade return anywhere else. Great deal for them.

Even in cap leagues with his full $4.8 million salary Gagner is a decent own, especially if he still has that winger eligibility.

[Zorro]

I like Gagne but you can't expect more then 50-55 from him this year, especially in Arizona..

[Axeman33]

I like Gagne but you can't expect more then 50-55 from him this year, especially in Arizona..

But do you like him in a keeper league that incorporates a salary cap with him making 4.8M?

[doulos]

I really hope he can find a new component to his game, or a new level. I don't have much confidence he will though. He was given every kind of chance possible, alongisde some really talented players, and never showed much more than a 40 point player, with a little extra juice when he got lucky. In Phoenix I don't see that changing much, and would say 45 points in a fully healthy year is as good as I would give him.