Philadelphia Flyers Offseason: Keeping Sam Gagner

Philadelphia Flyers Offseason: Keeping Sam Gagner

If you’re a hockey fan, this weekend surely didn’t disappoint. There was a great draft, and trades galore. One trade in particular occurred hours after the 2015 NHL Entry Draft had ended. It was a trade that many Philadelphia Flyers fans, including myself, have been waiting for. Ron Hextall, the Philadelphia Flyers GM, sent Nicklas Grossmann and Chris Pronger’s contract to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for center Sam Gagner, and a conditional draft pick. The conditional draft pick is either a Fourth round selection in the 2016 draft or a third round selection in the 2017 draft.

This was a massive trade for the Philadelphia Flyers. Honestly, both teams came out in a better situation. Arizona acquired a solid defensemen, while getting closer to the cap floor. Philadelphia acquired a decent top nine forward as well as shed some cap. By trading Grossmann and Pronger’s contract to the Arizona Coyotes, the Philadelphia Flyers gained about $5.1 million in cap space. The Philadelphia Flyers desperately needed some cap space. This trade also allowed the Philadelphia Flyers to move at least one defensemen off the roster. They still have an abundance of defensemen on the roster, but are still trying to move at least one or two more. This will allow for the prospects to move up, as well as, allow new head coach Dave Hakstol to implement more puck moving defensemen into his system.

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Its been a very rough career for Sam Gagner. He was originally drafted sixth overall in the 2007 NHL draft by the Edmonton Oilers. He was a very hyped prospect coming into the draft, and never materialized into the NHL player many had thought or hoped he would. After several seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, Sam was traded to the Tampa Bay lightning; then a few hours later, he was traded to the Arizona Coyotes. Unfortunately for Sam, it was just never the right fit for him in Arizona. It could almost be compared to the Vinny Lecavalier situation in Philadelphia.

Jan 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Sam Gagner (9) skates the puck against the San Jose Sharks at Gila River Arena. The Sharks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

All hope isn’t lost for Sam Gagner though. When he was acquired in the trade to the Philadelphia Flyers, a fresh start had begun. This is a clean slate and new opportunity for him to show everyone in the NHL what this guy can do. Here’s why I think the Philadelphia Flyers should hold onto Sam Gagner for the 2015-2016 NHL season.

His Age– Sam Gagner is just 25 years old! Sam still hasn’t hit the prime of his career. It’s not too late for him to have the chance to turn it around. One example here is Michael Del Zotto. The Nashville Predators gave up on Michael Del Zotto, and after the Philadelphia Flyers gave him a chance, he had a very strong season and showed that he could still be a solid puck moving defensemen in the NHL.

This is a low risk high reward type of player and contract– Sam Gagner has only one year left on his contract before he becomes a free agent. Sam will only account for $3.3 million against the Flyers cap if they chose to keep him and not buy him out. That is solid value for a player who has a lot to prove. If you look at the free agents that are expected to go to the open market, they are going to command a substantial amount more than the $3.3 million Gagner goes against the cap for. The free agent frenzy will be crazy once free agency opens on July 1st. Most of those free agents will be looking for long-term contracts and many teams are going to overpay. Why not give this guy a chance to see what he can do? We basically received some cap relief, while getting a speedy, top 9 forward. Not to mention Gagner has a fantastic set of hands. Gagner also brings the 5v5 and secondary scoring that the Philadelphia Flyers so desperately lacked last season. The biggest issue with Sam Gagner is his two-way play. Sam has little to no defensive play in his game. But Sam has also never been surrounded by a team with good players. Even while playing with the Arizona Coyotes last year, Sam registered 41 points, which was ranked second on the team, right behind Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Worst case scenario is he continues with his bad trend, (which can’t be as bad as Lecavalier’s and Umberger’s); but he’s off the books come season end.

It’s a contract year– Sam Gagner has a lot to prove, especially since it’s a contract year for him, and his track record has been less than stellar. This is a defining moment in not only his NHL career, but his life. This is everything he has worked so hard to accomplish. Now due to a couple bad seasons, many teams don’t want anything to do with him. This is a pivotal year for Sam and I truly do expect that he will come out and give it everything he has. Sometimes a change of scenery can do an individual some good. I hate to keep going back to Michael Del Zotto, but once again, he is a prime example of what a big market and change of scenery can do to rejuvenate an individuals career, especially when its a contract year.

The comments made by his old GM, Don Maloney

– Once Sam was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, his old GM, Don Maloney had some pretty harsh words to say about him.

” I have a lot of people to prove wrong and plan on doing that. “I’m as motivated as you can get”-Sam Gagner

Don stated, “We didn’t think he could play center at the National Hockey League level for us”. Sam was indeed aware of those comments. If those aren’t comments from a guy with a chip on his shoulder, I’m not quite sure what are.

Shootouts!!!- This is an area the Philadelphia Flyers are notoriously bad in. All of us Flyers fans have experienced the dreaded feeling of watching overtime reach zero and knowing a shootout loss was coming. Sam Gagner is 19 for 62 in his career shootouts and has the speed and hands to be a shootout savior in Philly. Just take a look at him in a shootout.

Next: Next Moves to Be Made

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