Eakins: Gagner is 'high character' kid

The Edmonton Journal revisits the stick sandwich gifted Oilers forward Sam Gagner from Vancouver Canucks winger Zack Kassian earlier this season, along with impact that event has had on Gagner's season.

And the ensuing trade buzz.

“This sort of talk is bound to happen when your team isn’t going good and my production isn’t what it should be,” Gagner said. “That’s on me to make sure those discussions don’t happen.”

Oilers coach Dallas Eakins offered this:

“If you miss training camp, you usually have an off season.

“The injury Sam had? That’s not like breaking a wrist. It was a broken jaw, a bad injury, and that puts some hesitation in your game.

“You’re looking over your shoulder a bit. I know Sam came back earlier than he maybe should have because we were dying as a team. He’s a kid of such high character. All these things compounded. Our team wasn’t great, he’s one of our leaders.”

Source: Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal