Oilers fan-favourite's future is uncertain with the team after Perry signing

Despite the winning streak that the Oilers are on, the team still needs to think about which pieces should be sent out before the deadline. The team has to have someone who is expendable, and unfortunately right now that seems like Sam Gagner. His minutes have been dropping for a while, culminating in him being scratched for yesterday's matinee against the Predators.

If Gagner is seen as the odd-man out, one option for the Oilers might be to trade him somewhere else. If they may get more value in a late-round draft pick than they could get if someone wanted to give Gagner a chance. Oilersnation After Dark talks about what the possibilities may be.


He makes an interesting point that with the acquisition of Perry, Gagner may have become less important. If Perry can stay healthy and play at a high level throughout the season, that could push Gagner out of the lineup. With the emergence of Holloway and a possible second forward addition, it seems likely that he becomes all the more expendable.


Another team could see the potential in Gagner, and want to acquire him as insurance for injuries. He may be more of use somewhere else, and they can use that cap better when trying to acquire a bigger piece. Gagner is also no stranger to getting traded, as he has been on 7 different teams in his career. If nothing, it gives the Oilers choices at the deadline, and they can make decisions accordingly to how the team evolves.