Gagner back in the bigs after stint in AHL

Sam Gagner’s time in the American Hockey League is up.

The Canucks announced Sunday the forward has been recalled from the Toronto Marlies, where he’d been assigned before the start of the season.

Gagner was the Marlies’ best player, recording 15 points in 15 games, and was a positive player in shot attempts.

He played right wing and centre for the Marlies, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate.

The Canucks loaned him there rather than their affiliate in Utica, N.Y., because they wanted to give him a chance to play closer to home and also avoid having a log jam of veterans in the AHL.

Gagner told Postmedia Sunday the experience with the Marlies was “great.”

“Great coaching staff, great group of guys,” he said.

Moving to the AHL didn’t require much of a mental adjustment.

“Some different things system wise and different atmosphere at the games, but hockey is hockey,” he said. His family was also able to spend some time with him as well, though they ’d spent most of the last seven weeks on the West Coast.

He followed what was going on with the Canucks as best he could.

“The team is playing fun hockey,” he said. “I’m excited to help where I can.”

The Canucks have been struggling to generate offence at even strength in recent games, having scored just four even-strength goals over the last four games.

Gagner had 35 points for the Canucks last season, his first in Vancouver after signing a three-year, $9.45-million contract. Given his scoring pedigree, it seems likely he’ll line up with Bo Horvat, who has had Tim Schaller and Markus Granlund on his wings of late.

Canucks general manager Jim Benning said calling up Gagner was about flexibility in the roster.

“He gives us another centreman option. He’s a right shot on the power play,” he said Sunday. “All reports were he was playing well.”

The team is in need of offensive help. Brock Boeser is out with an adductor problem and hasn’t skated since suffering the injury two weeks ago, while Sven Baertschi has only just begun skating since suffering a concussion more than a month ago.

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