The Edmonton Oilers and forward Sam Gagner agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $14.4 million, avoiding a salary arbitration meeting that was scheduled for Monday morning.
Gagner’s annual salary cap hit will be $4.8 million per season, which is an increase from his $3.2 million hit during the 2012-13 campaign.
“It’s nice to get something done. I wanted to be an Oiler,” Gagner told Sportsnet. “I’m pretty happy we were able to avoid (arbitration) so it’s a good feeling.”
Gagner, who was drafted sixth overall by the Oilers in 2007, was a restricted free agent.
In 48 games last season, the 23-year-old scored 14 goals and 38 points.
“I feel like I have a lot left to prove. Last year was a good year for me, but there’s a different level I want to get to and I’m excited about that challenge,” Gagner said.
“I like where things are going in Edmonton and that’s something I wanted to be a part of and at the end of the day I’m just happy it’s more than one year.”
Told Gagner new #Oilers 3 deal includes no move in year 2 only. They do have the freedom to trade his rights in yr 1 and yr 3 of the deal.
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) July 22, 2013
The London, Ont., native has spent his entire NHL career with the Oilers, registering 258 points in 414 career games.
“Sam’s a young player for us; he’s got a lot of experience but he is still only 23 years old so there’s lots of room to grow,” Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish told Sportsnet.
“We know we’re on the uptick now and we’re happy to have him. He’s a guy that really embodies a lot of the type of characteristics of the type of team we want.”
