Columbus center/right winger Sam Gagner has been the bargain of the season so far. With 22 points (13-9-22) through 28 games, he has already surpassed last season’s point total of 16 in 53 games and he realistically has a chance of setting a new career high in scoring (49 points back in his rookie season in 2007-08) if he can maintain his current price. The Blue Jackets are getting all that production for the very low price of $650K, or $75K above the league minimum salary.
Not surprisingly, given the success he has had so far, Gagner has already indicated that he would like to stay with the team beyond his current contract which expires in July, he told Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch:
“Obviously you want to find a place that’s a good fit, where you get a chance to play important minutes. That’s the main thing. You never want to look too far ahead, but I’ve enjoyed it here so far and want to keep going here.”
While his minute total isn’t particularly high at 13:35 per night, more than three minutes below his career average, he is among the team leaders in ice time per game with the man advantage and he has thrived with that ice time with five goals and five assists on the power play.
Going into the season, head coach John Tortorella called this season Gagner’s “last kick at the can”. While on the surface that might sound odd for a 27 year old, this is his fourth different team in as many seasons and he had to wait a full month in free agency before he landed this contract. The bench boss has been quite pleased with how Gagner has fit in so far:
“I know he’s not the big name player in the league and all that, but I think it’s a great story, him coming to the ’lowly’ Columbus Blue Jackets and trying to find his way back into the National Hockey League. I couldn’t be happier for him. He’s kind of a utility guy for us right now, but in these first (29 games), he’s given us some really good minutes.”
As things stand, the Blue Jackets already have over $67MM committed to their payroll for next season according to CapFriendly. With a salary cap that’s likely to be similar to the $73MM that it is this year, that doesn’t necessarily leave a lot of wiggle room to get Gagner signed, especially since center Alexander Wennberg is a restricted free agent. There is still plenty of time to make room for Gagner if the team wants to bring him back though; he can’t even sign an extension until January 1st at the earliest.
One of many players who was rushed to the NHL. Saw a lot of him when he played in the OHL and he’s always possessed above average skill but focus has always been his biggest weakness. Gagner’s carving a nice niche as a specialist who is sheltered at even strength.
Just another player Edmonton ruined.