[RE-SIGNED] Sam Gagner 1 yr/$850k

[tweetdrivr]

Not too exciting but decent for both sides. Seems like what Detroit needs during a rebuild...

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2029337

[hockeyrobot]

Thanks for posting. They need some love

[The Comish]

I have been a fan of Gagner since meeting him and his Mom at the WJHC in Sweden back in 2006 (I think it was 2006!). He was 17 and hadn't been drafted yet. My Ex wanted a picture of her two boys with Sam and Sam's Mom asked him to pose for a photo and he just did what she asked. Good kid who clearly respected his Mom. Been a fan of his ever since.

Good contract for the Wings, they get a useful depth player who still has some offensive ability.

[Axeman33]

He's going to be one of the highest paid AHL players.

[The Comish]

He's going to be one of the highest paid AHL players.

Do you really think he can't make the abysmal Red Wings line up or is it that you think they will go with a mostly youthful/prospect laden roster?

[CHunter]

I think Detroit could give a shot to Galchenyuk....could be a good fit...

[Axeman33]

Do you really think he can't make the abysmal Red Wings line up or is it that you think they will go with a mostly youthful/prospect laden roster?

I think he'll earn his way to the AHL sooner rather than later.

[hockeyrobot]

The Wings have a ton of holes....obviously. I think it's time for Abdelkader to head to the AHL for good so maybe Gagner does stick around.

[Reverend of Hockeytown]

I'm fine with a one-year small deal for Gagner to plug a spot for the time being.
I cannot wait to get rid of Abdelkader and Neilson's contracts.

[ericdaoust]

Vets are really important in a rebuild. Not just leadership/whatever but also plugging holes so you're not promoting random prospects who are not ready. Someone has to play those difficult games.

[hockeyrobot]

Vets are really important in a rebuild. Not just leadership/whatever but also plugging holes so you're not promoting random prospects who are not ready. Someone has to play those difficult games.

Ken Holland took care of that. Filppula. Helm. Nielsen. Abdelkader. Not sure if they can go anywhere.

[stevegamer]

I had ( probably still have) a PC hockey game with him on the cover.

This signing gives them a vet who can do what the guys Holland signed can't anymore.

[hockeyrobot]

I had ( probably still have) a PC hockey game with him on the cover.

This signing gives them a vet who can do what the guys Holland signed can't anymore.

Yep and here's hoping Gagner can at least fetch something at the deadline. Unlikely....but he has a better chance than Abdelkader.

[Pengwin7]

I see this signing as filling a roster spot and keeping cap space.
Competitive teams (as we are seeing with NYR) know cap will be tight.
The more cap space DET has... the more ability they have to take on a contract.
Everything is an asset in hockey signings... and a low-cost NHL-roster spot like $850k for Gagner is just that.

[hockeymanG23]

Vets are really important in a rebuild. Not just leadership/whatever but also plugging holes so you're not promoting random prospects who are not ready. Someone has to play those difficult games.

Ken Holland took care of that. Filppula. Helm. Nielsen. Abdelkader. Not sure if they can go anywhere.

lol, that gave me a good laugh.

One thing Gagner does bring to the team is a RH shot to a forward group that are all lefties, it's not much of a perk but it can give them some different looks on the PP and should be enough to keep him from being demoted.