'I nonetheless wish to play': Journeyman Sam Gagner Hoping For One Final Journey

Yearly, NHL groups begin coaching camp with a blended bag of gamers.

You have got the legit stars and the younger phenoms whose locations within the lineup are a bygone conclusion.

You even have the locker room leaders and middle-six staples, who’re fairly comfy too.

However as you get additional down the roster, you begin to see the depth guys, the AHL tweeners and the prospects all who’re combating for these few spots which are left.

Nonetheless, even previous all of them, there’s one group that enters coaching camp maybe hungrier than anybody else: the PTOs.

Gamers on PTOs, skilled tryouts, haven’t got assured contracts like nearly all of gamers at camp.

They’re gamers who’re combating and scraping simply to earn the prospect to play hockey on the highest degree.

This 12 months, one such participant is 17-year veteran Sam Gagner.

“It is thrilling,” Gagner mentioned about signing a PTO. “I nonetheless wish to play and it is simply one other alternative at it. I am not coming in with any expectations, I am simply going to play arduous, take pleasure in it and depart all of it on the market.”

The 35-year-old journeyman ahead signed a PTO with the Hurricanes earlier than the opening of coaching camp.

If he makes the crew, it could be the eighth franchise he is performed for.

“They have been a extremely good crew the final variety of years,” Gagner mentioned when requested about his resolution to signal a PTO with Carolina. “Performed in opposition to them rather a lot they usually have a sure identification to the way in which they play and it is all the time actually arduous to play in opposition to. When the chance offered itself, I felt like it could be match.”

Whereas he is excited concerning the potential alternative, Gagner is not oblivious to his present place within the league both.

The Hurricanes are a crew that splits camp between its regulars and its prospects and the PTOs find yourself being with the prospects as nicely.

So already, he is hoping to face out amongst a gaggle a lot youthful and quicker than him.

The middle additionally spent the previous season bouncing between the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers and the Bakersfield Condors within the AHL and though he was on the roster throughout the Oilers run to the Stanley Cup Closing, he did not play in any video games that postseason.

“It was nice,” Gagner mentioned concerning the Oilers’ playoff run. “That is an expertise that you really want as a participant. It is what you dream about. Going to Recreation 7 of the Stanley Cup Closing. Clearly, for myself, I’d have cherished a chance to play. I felt prepared, felt actually good, however you simply keep ready and be teammate. I had a brief summer time, however I really feel ready for this chance right here.”

Maybe that view from the skin, having seen teammates competing for the Cup and feeling like he might nonetheless have been on the market, is a part of Gagner’s motivation to maintain pushing for a spot within the league.

Regardless, the one-time sixth total choose nonetheless believes he has lots to supply.

“I feel I am a man that thinks the sport rather well and with the system right here and the way in which they compete, the way in which they skate, it might lend itself to some success,” Gagner mentioned.

And maybe he does as a result of Gagner isn’t any stranger to the league.

The journeyman is a veteran of over 1,000 NHL video games unfold throughout 17 seasons and he is produced over 500 factors in that point.

There’s rather a lot that may be gleaned and discovered from having had that a lot expertise and that have in flip lends itself to being ready to know and settle for any function you could be handed.

“I do not assume you are worried an excessive amount of about something however taking part in arduous and placing your finest foot ahead,” Gagner mentioned. “I used to be offered with a chance right here and I do really feel like there’s a chance to perhaps make the crew, however my focus is simply to return in each day and be the very best I may be. No matter find yourself occurring, finally ends up occurring. That is the place my focus is.”

Whereas it is an uphill street for certain, what’s true is that Gagner goes to offer it his all.

As a result of in the long run, that is all he can management.