Vancouver Canucks: Top 15 unrestricted free-agent targets
By David Joun
No. 4: Sam Gagner
The long-time Edmonton Oiler is looking for a chance to prove himself as a reliable NHL player after proving his offensive instincts with the Columbus Blue Jackets this past season.
Age: 27
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 200 lbs
2016-17 Stats: 81 GP – 18 G – 50 PTS
2016-17 Salary: $650 000
On the offensive side of things, the sky is the limit for Gagner. As a playmaker, he put up 32 points. He also is an asset in shootout situations, even though that part of the game is being slowly phased out by the NHL.
For a dying Canucks power play, Gagner sounds like a blessing for the hockey gods.
But the Canucks have many young players that need to develop with other defensively reliable veterans. Gagner isn’t the biggest of players either. Would he be a fit on a rebuilding Canucks team? He certainly is a mixed bag of good and bad.
Update: