OILERS SIGN GAGNER

It would seem that riveting goaltending drama hasn’t prevented Oilers GM Steve Tambellini from pulling the trigger on a two year, $4.55 million dollar contract for young Sam Gagner.

"The Edmonton Oilers have signed 21-year old forward Sam Gagner to a two-year, $4.55 million contract. The cap hit is $2.275 million per year.

In 68 games played last season, Gagner scored 15 goals and posted 26 assists.

"Sam is a key part of our organization moving forward," General Manager Steve Tambellini said in a statement. "We are looking forward to him taking on a larger role with our club."

This is a reasonably sound contract for Gagner in our humble opinion. The term says "we want you here in the immediate term" but the amount says "not so much that we are going to do anything crazy."

But in a land of crippling anvil-like contracts, this is a move borne of sanity and sound fiscal management.