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Longtime Edmonton Oilers forward Gagner signs deal to keep pro career alive

Colton Pankiw
Colton Pankiw
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Jan 24 2025, 4:13 pm
Longtime Edmonton Oilers forward Gagner signs deal to keep pro career alive
Perry Nelson/USA TODAY Sports

Longtime Edmonton Oilers forward Sam Gagner isn’t ready to call it a career just yet.

It was announced this morning that the 35-year-old has agreed to a professional tryout with the Belleville Senators, who serve as the AHL affiliate for the Ottawa Senators.

Gagner was hoping to continue his NHL career this season, but failed to land a deal as a free agent throughout the summer and into training camp. Not wanting to be done just yet, he chose to represent Team Canada at the Spengler Cup, where he captained the team and logged an assist in three games played.

The Sens are looking for a spot to fill on their roster after Zack MacEwen announced he was taking a leave of absence for a personal matter earlier in the week. That decision seems to have resulted in Gagner’s signing, where both parties will now look to determine if there is a fit for a contract to be signed.

Gagner rejoined the Oilers a season ago after choosing to join their camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO). He was coming off a pair of hip surgeries but was able to impress enough to earn himself a one-year deal.

Gagner wound up playing in 28 games with the Oilers, where he racked up five goals and 10 points. He also appeared in 15 games with the Bakersfield Condors, recording nine points.

In total, he has suited up for 1,043 games to date in his terrific NHL career. Of those games, 570 have come with the Oilers over three separate stints. He remains a fan favourite in Edmonton to this day, and you can bet many in Alberta’s capital city will be keeping an eye out to see how he does in his upcoming journey in Belleville.

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