The Red Wings are bringing back a fan-favorite veteran — The team announced Wednesday morning that forward Sam Gagner has signed a one-year contract extension.
UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today agreed to terms with center Sam Gagner on a one-year contract extension. pic.twitter.com/N23EbGboqR
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 28, 2021
Gagner has donned the Winged Wheel the past 48 games since he was acquired in February of 2020 in the Andreas Athanasiou trade to Edmonton. Steve Yzerman was able to acquire the 31-year-old center along with two draft picks. Gagner posted a modest 15 points (7-8—15) in 42 games last season.
Signing Gagner for another year gives you some valued depth, and a player that can be a threat on the power-play. He can also act as a mentor to younger players, something that Steve Yzerman has expressed great interest in during his rebuild. We’re still working to learn how much he’ll be paid, but one-year deals are never a “bad” thing, despite how much it costs. Odds are it will be a reasonable term for both sides.
UPDATE – According to Bob Duff, we’ve got an AAV
#RedWings sign C Sam Gagner to one-year, $850,000 deal.
— Bob Duff (@asktheduffer) July 28, 2021
