Where does Gagner fit on this team?
Even so, it’s unclear how the veteran fits into Canucks lineup
Using goals and assists as a measure, Sam Gagner has consistently produced as a second-line scorer during his career.
Put him with attack-minded players, he’ll do well. Don’t ask him to be a checker — it’s just not in his skill set.
Going into the 2018-19 season, it’s not clear how Travis Green plans to use him. He has skated with a variety of forwards and has played in a few spots on the power play.
Most mock-ups of the Canucks’ lineup don’t give him much consideration as a likely face on the team’s top two lines.
And given how Green seems inclined to deploy his bottom two lines this season, it’s not clear he fits on either.
Gagner, 29 and in the league for more than a decade now, doesn’t dwell much on where he might play this season. He just focuses on what he can show his young teammates.
“Just go out there and make plays and try to fit in the best you can,” he says. “I try not to worry about it too much. It’s important to have versatility.”
What’s more important than anything, he has learned, is finding a way to keep your inner excitement level up, day-in, day-out.
He made the NHL as a raw 18-year-old rookie. It can be a shock to arrive in the show and discover that you are no longer the big fish in a small pond, talent-wise.
Everyone in the NHL is good. And nearly everyone who arrives in the NHL will discover players even better than they could have imagined.
“It’s an adjustment,” Gagner admits. “But there’s also a huge excitement level about the first year that fades over time. You realize when you come back for your second or your third year, the league doesn’t get any easier just because you get older.
“You have to continue to push and continue to try and get better and bring that energy level and excitement level to the rink every day, and be passionate about it.
“In this league, that’s the difference between the best players and the guys that fizzle out — bring it
every day.”
And so, here is Gagner, more than a decade into his NHL career, suddenly in the role of mentor.
He is almost 30, young for most of us, but on a team filled with guys in their early 20s, that’s old.
“It’s a fun time to be here and be a leader among this group,” he explains.
“There are a lot of guys who are just trying to find their way through the league. There’s a lot of stuff that comes with being an NHL player,” he adds.
The son of ex-Canucks player and front-office executive Dave Gagner, Sam is now in the second year of a three-year deal.
As the season begins, no matter his role, he is focused on being a quiet influence, one who leads by example. It’s something he feels instinctual about.
“You just go about your business and try to be yourself — you don’t worry too much about outside credit,” he said.
“Try to be a leader, be the person you know you are … show the guys the way to do things. Try not to talk too much, but obviously you’re always there for advice.”
Gagner thinks back to his year in Edmonton as an 18 year old. He made the Oilers right out of camp.
But reality eventually hit and he learned some hard lessons, one he remembers even today.
“I came into my first camp, had a really good pre-season, really good start. You think you have it figured out, but over 80 games there’s a lot of things that change, a lot of ups and downs,” he recalls.
“Being able to handle the grind of an NHL season, it’s something you have to continually work at.”