Former Canuck gives a massive update on his future

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Cooper Godin
August 27, 2024 (1:57 PM)

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Former Vancouver Canucks forward Sam Gagner is reportedly not ready to hang up the skates and would like to play during the 2024-25 season.

According to Jim Matheson, former Vancouver Canucks forward Sam Gagner is not ready to retire from professional hockey and that his body feels really good right now heading into 2024-25.

Matheson went on to add that Gagner, who is currently a restricted free agent, has a few offers to join teams on a professional tryout contract in training camp next month.

"Sam Gagner, who turned 35 two weeks ago, still wants to play, he says, after spending half his life as an NHLer. Not ready to retire. He's had a few tryout offers. Maybe no room here, though. He says his body feels really good. Sam has played 564 Oiler games in three stints." Matheson said.

Gagner, 35, signed a professional tryout contract with the Edmonton Oilers last summer and after a brief AHL stint, was able to land a one-year, two-way deal with the team who selected him sixth-overall back in 2007.

It was Gagner's third stint with the Edmonton Oilers organization and he played a depth role for them, but only appeared in 28 games, while also featuring in 15 contests for their American Hockey League affiliate in Bakersfield. In 28 games with the Oilers, Gagner had ten points (five goals, five assists), ten penalty minutes and was a minus-two.

It'll be interesting to see which team ultimately lands Sam Gagner before training camp opens, but if he has multiple PTO offers, then there's a pretty good chance we'll see the former Canuck back on the ice this coming season.