The Blackhawks are interested in acquiring Sam Gagner, a source tells Jay Zawaski of 670 The Score. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first reported Chicago’s interest in his 31 Thoughts column.
As a free agent, Gagner chose the Canucks over the Blackhawks in the 2017 offseason and signed a three-year contract worth $9.45 million with Vancouver. The center was coming off a strong season with the Blue Jackets where he scored 18 goals and 50 points in 81 games. He also had six goals and 15 points on the power play.
In his first season with Vancouver, he tallied 10 goals and 31 points in 74 games. This season hasn’t worked out as well for him as the Canucks loaned the 29-year-old to the Toronto Marlies for the second time Tuesday. The loan allows Vancouver to retain his rights.
Gagner started the season with the Marlies, scoring seven goals and 15 points in 15 AHL games before being called up to Vancouver. He has one goal and two assists in seven games with the Canucks.
Here’s how Chicago’s current center depth stands:
Jonathan Toews ($10.5M)
- Toews has a no-movement clause/
David Kampf ($925K)
- Kampf went from a fringe player to a No. 2 or No. 3 center under coach Jeremy Colliton./
Dylan Strome ($863K)
Chicago acquired Strome just last month in hopes of reigniting some chemistry he had with Alex DeBrincat in juniors in Erie.
Artem Anisimov ($4.5M)
- Anisimov has a modified no trade clause with a list of 10 teams he can be traded to. He has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 28 games./