According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, the Columbus Blue Jackets are working to sign free agent center Sam Gagner to a one-year, one-way deal.
Told #CBJ are closing in a one-year, one-way deal with free agent center Sam Gagner. Filing blog shortly to Puck-rakers.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) July 30, 2016
Blue Jackets Closing on Gagner
After the departure of star center Ryan Johansen, the Blue Jackets have found themselves short of natural centermen. As such, they appear to be turning to free agency in order to address the lack of depth in that area.
The 27 year-old Gagner, who spent last season with the Philadelphia Flyers, is coming off of a rare down year. He scored only eight goals and eight assists in 53 regular season games. Across the 562 games he spent elsewhere in the NHL; Gagner managed to accumulate 336 points from 116 goals and 220 assists. Due to a wealth of talented forwards and his decreased production, the Flyers have decided not to renew Gagner’s contract, thus making him an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Financially, the Jackets will be looking to sign Gagner to an inexpensive deal. Their cap space is limited to around $2 million following the most recent round of re-signings. An inexpensive one-year contract will allow the team to stay under the cap ceiling while also adding a potential 30+ point scorer to an already strong offensive corps.
In terms of current players, the Gagner’s signing would allow Boone Jenner to return to playing on the wing, where head coach John Tortorella prefers him. Furthermore, this deal would afford first-round draft pick Pierre-Luc Dubois the opportunity to develop in the QMJHL. He will certainly still be able to show his stuff in camp. However, if Dubois is not ready, they can send him back to junior. The move means that the Jackets are not forced to rush him into the senior team. If Gagner can bounce back from a disappointing 2015-2016 campaign; he may turn out to be a very useful signing for the Blue Jackets.
Main Photo via Getty Images Sport/Hockey
