Whoever came up with the saying "one game doesn't make a season" never followed Sam Gagner's NHL career. In this case not only did one game save Gagner's season, it has altered it as well.
Just last Thursday, the speculation was swirling about the 22-year-old's future in Edmonton. Some even thought that the game against the Chicago Blackhawks was to be a showcase for a prospective trade partner. The Blackhawks have been in the market for a second-line centre and because Gagner was a teammate of Patrick Kane with the London Knights in 2006-07 -- where the two combined for more than 260 points during the regular season -- it seemed to be a natural fit. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2012/02/06/kypreos_on_gagner_streak/
Shacks' Take: I can't agree with this one, two games do not make a player. If the Oiler's can get another team to believe this they should flip Gagner right now while his value is highest. I think Gagner is in limbo right now for most teams and the Oilers. No one is going to value a player based on a two game sampling. Teams are going to keep a close eye Gagner the next couple of weeks and if he can maintain at least some of this pace he will command the top-4 defenseman Edmonton needs so badly. If Gagner regresses back to his previous levels of mediocrity this two game mini explosion will be seen as nothing more than a blip and Gagner would only be part of a package to obtain what the Oil needs. Only media members like to rush to these conclusions, successful GM's don't buy when a player's value is artificially high.
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