Should Sam Gagner Be Dealt? 5 Trades the Edmonton Oilers Should Consider

Sam Gagner is a top-six forward in the NHL who is best-suited to playing on a team's first or second line. He hasn't gotten that chance for Edmonton this season—and an injury setback didn't help.

The Oilers' top two lines appear to be set, barring any sort of injury. This is unfortunate news for Sam Gagner, as he was once projected to be the top center here in Edmonton—or at least a very good second-line center.

With Ryan Nugent-Hopkins playing up to his expectations and Shawn Horcoff locked up until the 2014-2015 season, the top two centerman roles are occupied for the time being. Gagner can play some wing, but the Oilers are also well-equipped on both wings.

Sam is an impending RFA. He's making a mere $2.275 million—but will likely demand a raise in the offseason.

Will the Oilers be the ones to give it to him? Or will it be someone else?

Here are a few trade options the Oilers should consider.

Sam Gagner to Jersey for Adam Henrique, Alexander Urbom and 2nd-Round Pick

The boys from East Rutherford desperately need help down the middle. Sam Gagner fits the bill.

This trade would give the Devils the opportunity to pair Sam up with either Zach Parise or Ilya Kovalchuk. He would instantly become a primary option at center. With Travis Zajac returning, the Devils would have a respectable one-two punch. 

The Oilers would receive Adam Henrique, who is also a centerman—but there would be no rush to get him into the lineup. Alexander Urbom is an interesting defenceman who, with proper development, could be a top-four guy and play 20 minutes a game in the NHL someday.

And the second-round pick could be used as trade-bait down the round—or the Oilers could draft a player, something they've have had success with lately. 

Sam Gagner, Linus Omark and a Conditional Pick to Ottawa for David Rundblad

The Ottawa Senators have a gaping hole at center—especially if Stephane Da Costa doesn't pick up the slack soon. Sam Gagner and Linus Omark would instantly improve Ottawa's offence, giving the Sens a dynamic scoring punch.

But would Ottawa part with arguably their top prospect, David Rundblad, to get it?

The conditional pick would be a second- or third-round pick next season if Sam doesn't resign with the Sens. I think if/once Gagner gets dealt, people around the NHL will be surprised how much he will fetch on the market.

David Rundblad is type of offensive defenceman that the Oilers desperately need. The Sens already have Erik Karlsson, who has emerged as one of the better blueliners in today's NHL and seems to be Ottawa's franchise defenceman.

Sam Gagner to New York Islanders for Travis Hamonic and 2nd-Round Pick

The Islanders haven't received much secondary scoring this season. Sam Gagner would be a nice change-of-pace player if he were ever to don an Isles jersey—play him alongside John Tavares and see what happens.

Travis Hamonic has not built upon his solid season a year ago, when he tallied 26 points in 62 games. He hasn't produced much offensively, only recording a single assist in 12 games this season—but he's still playing big minutes and is used in all situations.

Hamonic is a solid blueliner who can eat up crucial minutes. Add the second-round pick and you might have a deal.

Sam Gagner to St. Louis for Ian Cole and 1st-Round Pick

The Blues have an assortment of good NHL forwards who have failed to click at the same time. Last season's breakout player, Chris Stewart, has been invisible for the most part this season, and Patrick Berglund hasn't been productive either.

If the Blues don't turn it around under Ken Hitchcock, expect more changes. It's been rumoured that Blues scouts have been spotted at Oilers games—could they be looking at Sam Gagner?

Ian Cole is considered to be the best defenceman in the Blues system. Although he isn't a "big-name prospect" and hasn't put up overly big numbers at any point in his career, his scouting report lists him as an all-around defenceman.

Throw in a first-round pick and I think the Oilers would consider this deal.

Sam Gagner to Toronto for Jesse Blacker, Cody Franson and Toronto's 5th-Rounder

This trade has been speculated in the past, but the rumours have died down since the Buds achieved some success scoring goals.

But guess what? The Leafs are having troubles again.

Let the rumours begin.

Sam Gagner returns home in exchange for the rising Jesse Blacker and Cody Franson, who has fallen out of the picture in Toronto due to the rise of Jake Gardiner.

Blacker significantly stepped up his game in his last year of juniors, turning heads and collecting 54 points in in 64 games—as well as 16 points in 22 playoff appearances.

Cody Franson was sought after to be a mainstay in this league—but that hasn't materialized yet. Another change of scenery may be what Franson needs after recording only 29 points in 80 games two seasons ago in Nashville.

Sam Gagner would give the Leafs another top-six forward. Gagner would push Mikhail Grabovski and Tyler Bozak to play better—or might even take one of their spots.