Maple Leafs connected to one of John Tavares best friends
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun has connected Sam Gagner to the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer. Gagner is a UFA this summer. He signed a 1 year, $850,000 deal with Red Wings for the 2021-22 season.
Gagner had a good season playing up and down the lineup for a young Red Wings squad. He put up the most points (31) since the 2017-2018 season when he was with the Vancouver Canucks. He had 13 goals and 31 points in 81 games.
Gagner was once part of the Toronto organization. He was acquired on loan from the Canucks during the 2017-2018 season. He didn't play a game with the big club but did suit up for 43 games for the Marlies. He got the chance to play with some current Leafs in Pierre Engvall, Rasmus Sandin, & Timothy Liljegren.
I don't think Gagner would be a great option at 4th line center but could find a place on the wing. Gagner never had great faceoff numbers. Last season he was 46.71 % (Won 142 and lost 162 faceoffs) of his draws.
He would be a good replacement on the roster for Jason Spezza. A veteran who can mentor the young forwards. He still has good hands, very good offensive moves and vision in his mid-30s. He's developed into a really solid penalty killer late in his career. He was playing on the 1st PK unit for Detroit for most of the season.
Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas will be bargain hunting again when Free Agency opens on July 13th. Toronto captain John Tavares and Sam Gagner are childhood friends maybe Tavares can convince his old pal to come home.
| POLL | ||
Do you see Sam Gagner as a option for the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes, was in the organization before could happen | 61 | 38.1 % |
| No, had success in Detroit could stay there | 53 | 33.1 % |
| Going to sign somewhere else | 46 | 28.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
