Did Sam Gagner become smarter this time?

[bigguy13]

So, I was listening to Spector today and it got me thinking. Do you think Sam Gagner coming into this year has something to prove as a number 1 center or 1 A? I mean, how long has he played center with the Oil? 4yrs? One would think, Sam would of worked extra over the summer to hone in on his faceoff draws with his big ass fat raise wouldnt he? What was Gagner's FO% last year??? I might be wrong but at least 35% winning. Countless times i have watched him over the last few years lose important draws and then his man. Not only did it cost us goals but puck possession. Gagner must have some smart hockey sense to work extra hard at winning draws? Dont you think???

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[Supermassive]

So, I was listening to Spector today and it got me thinking. Do you think Sam Gagner coming into this year has something to prove as a number 1 center or 1 A? I mean, how long has he played center with the Oil? 4yrs? One would think, Sam would of worked extra over the summer to hone in on his faceoff draws with his big ass fat raise wouldnt he? What was Gagner's FO% last year??? I might be wrong but at least 35% winning. Countless times i have watched him over the last few years lose important draws and then his man. Not only did it cost us goals but puck possession. Gagner must have some smart hockey sense to work extra hard at winning draws? Dont you think???

He'll keep getting better. His dedication is unquestioned.

 

[Oiltankjob Fail]

Hater post at its best , and seems like we can't go a week in here without some one creating a thread for Gagner to be flamed.

 

[bigguy13]

no hater here just calling out the facts dude! I am not saying he is a poor player, he is an above average offensive player, plays with grit and is not afraid of going to the net, all i am saying is I hope Samwise gets some faceoff schooling and we have a better second line center

 

[s7ark]

no hater here just calling out the facts dude! I am not saying he is a poor player, he is an above average offensive player, plays with grit and is not afraid of going to the net, all i am saying is I hope Samwise gets some faceoff schooling and we have a better second line center

Facts like his FO% was 35%? That is an easily checked stat. He was 43.9 last season and 47.6 the season before that.

 

[bigguy13]

but from those draws how many goals were scored against while he was on the ice? Losing the draw is onething but constantly losing his man, all i am saying is that Sam has been in the league now since 06, he has over 400 games under his belt and a new contract. It would be terrible for him to coast through and not work even harder at his game which i bet he would say he has alot of improvements to make.

 

[Petes2424]

So, I was listening to Spector today and it got me thinking. Do you think Sam Gagner coming into this year has something to prove as a number 1 center or 1 A? I mean, how long has he played center with the Oil? 4yrs? One would think, Sam would of worked extra over the summer to hone in on his faceoff draws with his big ass fat raise wouldnt he? What was Gagner's FO% last year??? I might be wrong but at least 35% winning. Countless times i have watched him over the last few years lose important draws and then his man. Not only did it cost us goals but puck possession. Gagner must have some smart hockey sense to work extra hard at winning draws? Dont you think???

He had the same fo% as the great young defensive C Couturier everyone always seems to point to..

 

[smackdaddy]

but from those draws how many goals were scored against while he was on the ice? Losing the draw is onething but constantly losing his man, all i am saying is that Sam has been in the league now since 06, he has over 400 games under his belt and a new contract. It would be terrible for him to coast through and not work even harder at his game which i bet he would say he has alot of improvements to make.

In what world does a 24 year old coast through his contract right before UFA?

 

[phil steve]

Atleast 80 percent of the draws gagner lost last season led directly to goals against. Google it

 

[ResilientBeast]

I really hope he has, we need him to get better on the draw.

 

[Oiltankjob Fail]

Atleast 80 percent of the draws gagner lost last season led directly to goals against. Google it

Lmao how things are made up on hf he lost 425 draws 80% would be over 300 goals and He was on for 45 goals against all season

 

[Petes2424]

Atleast 80 percent of the draws gagner lost last season led directly to goals against. Google it

So if Gagner lost 416 faceoffs that would mean the Oilers gave up 332 goals or 7.5 goals a game that were all his fault.

How'd they win a game last year?

 

[Oi'll say!]

In his 5th season Sam Gagner is actually going to be playing with two players that already have a full nhl season under their belts. Last season was the first time ever he had so much as one winger who didn't qualify as a rookie.

That's just insane for a 2nd line center in the NHL playing as an 18 yr old, 19 yr old, 20, 21...

Last season Sam was 18th in the nhl in scoring at center, 37th overall and 2nd on the Oilers. It's tough to predict a breakout season after a performance like that, he'd have to be a top ten center dot dot dot... It will be a breakout of sorts tho, he will have a line that not only scores but is more dominant at even strength than at any point since the end of his first season when him, Nilsson and Cogs were completely en fuego.

 

[s7ark]

but from those draws how many goals were scored against while he was on the ice? Losing the draw is onething but constantly losing his man, all i am saying is that Sam has been in the league now since 06, he has over 400 games under his belt and a new contract. It would be terrible for him to coast through and not work even harder at his game which i bet he would say he has alot of improvements to make.

He's been working hard at improving every year so far and had a very good season last year. I am not sure where this questioning of his desire is coming from?

As for the number of times he lost a draw and it ended up in our net, I have no idea. But since he led all Oiler forwards in ice time last year, I'd say more than any other C. But he was also our top scoring C.

 

[McGoMcD]

Atleast 80 percent of the draws gagner lost last season led directly to goals against. Google it

I heard it was 95%, apparently it is a fact.

 

[Valic]

I heard it was 95%, apparently it is a fact.

Don't be unreasonably hyperbolic to prove a point. It was exactly 55% that lead to goals against.

 

[nabob]

In his 5th season Sam Gagner is actually going to be playing with two players that already have a full nhl season under their belts. Last season was the first time ever he had so much as one winger who didn't qualify as a rookie.

7th season

He's been working hard at improving every year so far and had a very good season last year. I am not sure where this questioning of his desire is coming from?

As for the number of times he lost a draw and it ended up in our net, I have no idea. But since he led all Oiler forwards in ice time last year, I'd say more than any other C. But he was also our top scoring C.

Facts like his FO% was 35%? That is an easily checked stat. He was 43.9 last season and 47.6 the season before that.

improving eh?

He'll keep getting better. His dedication is unquestioned.

Yes the way he has improved on his weaknesses that include faceoff%, defensive zone coverage, ability to win puck battles and his +/- rating in only six season to level where they are now is remarkable.

The one area where he did improve noticeably last season IMO was moving the puck quicker. Getting the puck and quickly moving it to a playmaker like Hemsky (at the start of the season) and Hall and Yak.

I think he has realized that his fancy stick work moves worked very well in his rookie season, but now opponents have learned that all they have to do is lean on him a bit and take the puck away.

 

[s7ark]

Don't be unreasonably hyperbolic to prove a point. It was exactly 55% that lead to goals against.

Link?

improving eh?

He had a much larger role last season and was counted on in more situations. Horcoff wasn't taking all the toughest draws and prime minutes anymore. People need to realize that he is still a young player regardless of how many seasons he has played. There were hiccups along the way, but he is most certainly a better player now than he was at 18. And there is still room for growth. Last season he was 23. I don't think he's shown us his best yet.

 

[McGoMcD]

Don't be unreasonably hyperbolic to prove a point. It was exactly 55% that lead to goals against.

I actually heard the Sam Gagner losing draws lead to global warming.

 

[missinthejets]

Facts like his FO% was 35%? That is an easily checked stat. He was 43.9 last season and 47.6 the season before that.

and if his wingers put some more effort into winning the scrambled draws it'll get better too. That was a big problem for the Oilers last year too, didn't win enough contested faceoffs.

 

[AlowlyMcOilersfan]

Maybe he practiced entering draws.

 

[CorpseFX]

everything Gagner does is fine because he's cute and starts fights with guys he cant beat up

i love ya, little guy.

 

[thadd]

SCREW SAM! LETS FIRE HIM NOW! BUY HIM OUT!

How dare he not be taller than 6"7!!!

HOW DARE HE NOT BE MORE THAN 310 POUNDS!!!!

How dare he not be a defensive specialist!!!! HOW DARE HE!!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!


No seriously, people, give it a break. Sam has worked his but off every year to improve and we've seen significant improvement out of him every year.

Some of the numbers people are throwing around in this threat are downright Pejorative Slured as well. Love how people have just given up on math. Not quite the dork who suggested that Sam was responsible for Edmonton being scored on several hundred times last year. If that had been the case, then he would actually be the worst player not in hockey, but in professional sports.

Sam is a damn good #2 C.

 

[Evil Ernie]

Ever notice Gagner' resemblance to Topo Gigio?

 

[Oi'll say!]

7th season

Thank god noone came up to me and made me bet on how many years Gagner has been in the NHL. I would have bet $100 that it wasn't 6 years.