Gagner takes on more of a defensive role
Pegged to help team’s pitiful power play, he’s now playing on the shutdown line
Sam Gagner knows one legendary Philly cheesesteak sandwich spot.
“I never went to Pat’s — I wasn’t here long enough,” said the former Flyers forward, who faces his ex-club Tuesday. “But I went to Geno’s and it was really good.”
He also knows how legendary leather-lunged Flyer fans can turn a seasoned veteran into red-faced embarrassment with a blue streak from the cheap seats. He heard his share two seasons ago.
“Nothing too crazy because we were kind of out of it and stormed back to make the payoffs,” recalled Gagner. “So there was some positivity, but they’re definitely passionate — let’s put it that way.”
The versatile Vancouver Canucks forward also knows he’s going to face the same line of questioning from the Philadelphia press that he gets back home. Where’s the offence? Didn’t you play with the Sedins in the pre-season? Weren’t you on the first power play at one point? Two goals in 20 games? What’s going on?
Gagner has played on more than a half-dozen line combinations — the latest being on a shot-suppression, shutdown alignment with Brandon Sutter and Derek Dorsett — and has run the gamut of playmaker to plugger. In a 4-3 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, he nearly turned Vladimir Tarasenko’s right knee into a pretzel on an aggressive forecheck.
This is the same guy who had a five-shot first period in Calgary on Nov. 7 and scored a power-play goal. The same guy who finished with six shots and had a powerplay goal against the Dallas Stars on Oct. 30.
“I don’t expect my shooting percentage to stay where it is,” Gagner said of his minuscule 4.4 NHL accuracy. “I just have to keep trying to get to the net to create chances. I’ve had games where it’s there and I’ve been in offensive games where it doesn’t come as easily.
“You have to find ways to chip in every night, even if it’s not offensively. And that’s kind of my thought process now. I’ve got to stay positive with the puck.”
Still, the 28-year-old London, Ont., native was pegged to prop up a pitiful power play with playmaking precision — it’s now ranked 23rd at 16.3 per cent efficiency — and do what he can at even strength with a club averaging 2.55 goals per game, which ranks 25th.
“I came here because I thought there was room for growth and a chance to win down the line,” added Gagner. “And to do that, you have to embrace any role you’re given. I obviously feel like I’m capable of more offensively and have created more than my stats would suggest.
“But you have to find ways to help the team when it’s not scoring and you have to take any role head-on. And if you’re good positionally (on a shutdown line), good teams take chances because they’re looking for offence. You just have to play the right way, be opportunistic and look to create.”
It’s what Gagner did last season with the Columbus Blue Jackets — a 50-point campaign that included 18 power play points (8-10) — and what he hasn’t done this season that raises some eyebrows.
It’s why a three-year, US$9.45million commitment to Gagner on the first day of free agency is turning into a lot of money for little offensive return.
This is not like the Thomas Vanek situation.
Winger Vanek is a proven goalscorer. He’s a load down low with a deft deflection touch, an underrated strength in the slot. And a one-year, $2-million roll of the dice and it was worth it because the 33-year-old has been good in measured minutes and will attract trade deadline interest.
Gagner’s here for the long haul and he had to be more than a mentor to the next wave of talent. He has to contribute.
The Canucks constantly trumpet Gagner’s two-way, puck awareness game and there’s some merit to that. He’s fifth among team forwards with an even-strength Corsi percentage of 49.5 per cent. But he’s also the second-lowestrated forward for on-ice goals at even strength at just 1.3. What does this mean? Canucks coach Travis Green said it means that we read too much into Gagner’s numbers and that there are intangibles that come into play but don’t get the headline play.
“Everyone talks about offensive things, but guys who have been in the league understand that part of the game,” said Green.
“And we’re not looking for his line to be total defenders either. We want him to play a fast game, get in on the forecheck and deny breakouts.
“Part of that is the way our lines are set up and how they all add up.”
If Gagner needs an adversity reminder, his 53-game regular season in Philadelphia included an injury, being shipped to the minors and being scratched. He had but 16 points (8-8), but proved in six playoff games that his compete level was there when it mattered most to rookie NHL coach Dave Hakstol.
“It was a tough adjustment, but by the end of the year I proved I could be an important piece,” said Gagner.
You have to find ways to help the team when it’s not scoring and you have to take any role head-on.