Vancouver Canucks: Where to play Sam Gagner in 2018
By Alex Hoegler
Vancouver Canucks forward Sam Gagner can play anywhere at forward, so where in the lineup should the newcomer begin the 2017-18 season?
With the Vancouver Canucks in serious need of speed and depth at forward, general manager Jim Benning signed forward Sam Gagner to a three-year deal worth $9.45 million.
Gagner is coming off an 18-goal, 50-point season with the Columbus Blue Jackets and should be a viable part of Vancouver’s offence this upcoming season. But it may be up to head coach Travis Green to determine just how much Gagner will produce with his new team.
Naturally a centre, Gagner transitioned to the right wing and became a key part of the Jackets’ high-flying offence. But now the question becomes what position should Gagner play? Furthermore, which line should he play on?
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In my lineup projections for opening night, I slotted in Gagner to play on the third line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
The reason? It’s been a while since the twins have had a reliable line mate, and perhaps Gagner can be the player to help them rebound from a porous 2016-17 season.
Bo Horvat is sure to open the season as the top centre, and Brandon Sutter could be right behind him.
But like Gagner, Sutter has experience as a winger and can play anywhere. I expect and hope Sutter starts out as a centre, where he’s most effective.
With plenty of depth at centre, Gagner is likely to start out the season as a winger. If he can produce there, then Green has no reason to move him. But perhaps Gagner is capable of being a top two centre on this rebuilding Canucks team. That’ll be Green’s decision.
But due to a lack of depth on right wing, Vancouver is better off playing Gagner there. He had a tremendous season there with the Blue Jackets, so what need is there to take play games with that?
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Of course, Green always has the option to move players around if he has too. If Gagner isn’t performing much as a winger, then he’ll likely move back to centre. So at this point, the main question is which line he should be on.
Prized prospect Brock Boeser could end up on the first line, and he should get the chance to play with Horvat. Things then get interesting with Loui Eriksson. Do they want to pay him $6 million a year to play on the third line — where he likely will continue to disappoint as the Sedins’ linemate? That’s why I project Eriksson to be on the second line –he is in need of a fresh start.
Conclusion
The safe play is for the Canucks to put Sam Gagner with the Sedins. The younger players — along with veterans like Sutter and Eriksson — are better fit to occupy the top-six. It’s been a long time since Daniel and Henrik have had a young, skilled winger to play with.
No, the Sedins aren’t going to score 70-80 points a season. But if Gagner does fit in, he could help them score 50-65. His style of play somewhat goes with that of the Sedins cycle game, and it could help Gagner have a career season.
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Gagner could play anywhere in the lineup, but the Vancouver Canucks would be wise to start him with the Sedins and see if any chemistry can develop.