Jets sign Gagner to 1-year contract

The Winnipeg Jets have signed veteran center Sam Gagner to a one-year contract worth $750,000, the team announced Friday.

Gagner has spent the last two-plus seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. In 2021-22, he notched 31 points in 81 games while averaging 13 minutes per contest and winning 46.7% of his draws.

Detroit was the sixth stop of the former first-round pick's career. He'd also previously suited up for the Edmonton Oilers (in two separate stints), Arizona Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Vancouver Canucks.

The 33-year-old has recorded 505 points in 967 career games dating back to the 2006-07 season.

The Jets didn't have a busy summer, although they did hire Rick Bowness as their new head coach. Gagner's arrival will provide some depth down the middle of the ice after the departure of Paul Stastny, who joined the Carolina Hurricanes earlier this offseason.