Sam Gagner was taken sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. After a slow start to the season, he managed to pick up his game in November and December.To date, Gagner has 16 points and three goals. In the last two months, he's earned a spot on the top line with Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky.
Gagner helped lead Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2007 World U-20 Championships. He was also named the MVP of the Canada-Russia Super Series. Coming into training camp in September, nobody expected the youngster to compete for an NHL roster spot—but he proved the doubters wrong.
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Come December, Team Canada officials hoped to recruit Gagner for another stint at the U-20 Championships. But GM Kevin Lowe rejected the idea, and made Gagner stick with the Oilers.
Sam seemed to have no problem with the decision—until coach Craig MacTavish pulled the rookie from the lineup.
While Canada was winning another gold medal, Gagner was watching the Oilers from the press box. He must have been quite disappointed to be see both teams play without him.
On January 5th, Gagner was back in the lineup against the New York Rangers. He responded with a shootout winner to seal the game.
In the two games Gagner sat out, the Oilers notched a narrow victory in St. Louis and suffered a difficult defeat to the Predators.
Could Gagner have made a difference? Would he have been the key to get those needed points?
Whatever the answer, you can bet Gagner will stay in the Oilers lineup for the foreseeable future.
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11 months ago
Gagner might've been disappointed, but this is a youth who has his head on his shoulders. Though he does not have the raw talent and leadership of Crosby when the Pen was 18, which is why the press box was a good move for the young forward. It allowed him to see the game from a different perspective, and I noticed in his shifts against the Isles that he was creating more, backchecking harder and more defensively responsible.
I may not agree with the Oilers brass keeping him from the Juniors, but there are two ways you respond to being sent up to the press box: you fade, or your work harder.
So far, it seems like Gagner's doing the latter
- Mike Garvie
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