Sam Gagner, Time to step up your game (we’re counting on you)

If you listen loyally to our podcast, you know we like to end with a call to arms for players who haven’t… well, stepped it up the way we hoped they would.

So far, we’ve appealed to Mike Smith and the team’s defense. Looks like our efforts weren’t entirely in vain, as the team has seen a drastic drop  in GAA with Smitty on the ice (to which we enthusiastically applaud). This week, though, we’ve moved our usual cross-examination to print, in honor of our first missed podcast-

This week, Sam Gagner, all eyes are on you.

Oct 25, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Sam Gagner (9) carries the puck as Florida Panthers left wing Sean Bergenheim (20) pursues during the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Gagner was brought in with the expectations of providing a scoring boost to a team that sorely needed help in that area, and unfortunately he hasn’t been all the fans have hoped and dreamed of. Could be a slow start, could be uncertain chemistry so far… but Sam, let’s sit down and talk. How can we fix this?

Gagner is on pace for just over ten points this season, a total you might see out of a shutdown defensemen- but not a third line center. With expectations of a 50 plus point season thanks in part to a change of scenery, it is absolutely ridiculous that it took until the seventh game of the season in order for Gagner to see his name on the score sheet. The only other forward to not notch a point this season is B.J. Crombeen. Scary for sure, considering Gagner is averaging nine minutes more ice time per game than Crombeen. Gagner notched his first point of the season assisting Oliver Ekman-Larsson on his game winning goal against Florida- yep, helping out a defenseman.

One point in seven games from Gagner is both surprising and inexcusable, but there is some hope on the horizon.

Gagner switched to wing in Saturday’s victory against Florida and it seemed to pay off, Gagner posted his best game of the season when you compare his performance to the rest of the team. On Saturday Gagner posted a relative fenwick percentage of 13.54. That number is much higher than his season total for relative fenwick percentage of 2.27.I think it’s safe to say that the Coyotes need the Gagner that showed up on Saturday, if he is not scoring then at least his line is possessing the puck, a big key to the coyotes style of play.

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In his first game at wing Gagner played along side Martin Erat and newcomer Justin Hodgman. That line produced A 69 percent fenwick for percentage but isn’t going to be together for long.With Martin Hanzal apparently returning the lineup soon it looks like Gagner will get time alongside Shane Doan and Hanzal.

Gagner’s struggles in finding the score sheet actually haven’t affected the Coyotes that much as a whole, their power play is still ranked third best in the NHL and their goals per game average is nearly identical to last season (2.56 in 13-14,2.57 in 14-15)

With that said if Gagner can become a more reliable contributor offensively and I think he will than the Coyotes will be on track to becoming a much better offensive team.

Gagner spoke with Fox Sports Arizona’s Craig Morgan about a possible move to wing and said he has some adjustments to make,

"“”I’ve played more center in the past, so I feel more comfortable there, but if I played more wing I’d probably get more comfortable there, too,” he said. “On the wing, you have to focus on moving your feet away from the puck. At center, that comes more naturally because you are so involved with the play all the time that you have to do it.”"

Gagner had some injury problems during the preseason so this is the first time fans and the coaching staff are getting an extended look at how he fits into the Coyotes system as a winger and after a small one game sample size, the results have been good.

Ive had my say what’s yours? Will the move to Wing for Sam Gagner be beneficial for not only himself but the whole team?

Weigh in below or let us know on twitter.

**editor’s note: this piece has been revised, formerly titled “Sam Gagner: You have failed this city”. Howlin’ Hockey feels that, while the play on words was meant to be more lighthearted than it construed, the current title- and opening statement- would be more constructive moving forward. Any questions about the previously published article can be submitted to our Editor, Catherine Silverman, at cat.silverman11@gmail.com.**