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His stint in Arizona was limited to just one season, too. The Oilers’ previous regime had parted ways with him in June 2014, sending the diminutive centreman to Tampa for Ted Purcell. That same day, Gagner was flipped to the Coyotes.

“When I initially left (Edmonton), I had a hard time, you know, just like anybody does being traded for the first time in a number of years,” Gagner said last month. “I thought the second half of that year in Phoenix I played well, and for whatever reason they wanted to move on. I thought last year was a tough year in Philly, just trying to fight to stay in the lineup early on. I thought I did a good job in the second half of being an important player for them down the stretch.

“Here I found a good fit early and it’s just a matter of being consistent with it. I’ve enjoyed it so far and hope to keep it going.”

He has reclaimed a career from the bargain bin. He signed a one-year deal for just $650,000 US last summer, a sum well short those he earned during the heady days of his final Oilers deal that paid him $4.8 million per year and took him through the end of last season.

“I feel I have been through a lot of adversity in my career,” he said. “I feel like I have framed it the right way and come out better for it. That’s the important thing. I felt like I’ve learned a lot along the way and gotten better.”

When enough players like Gagner put up better numbers than their salaries might otherwise dictate, the teams they play for tend to right the ship as well. The now-dominant, NHL-leading Jackets have won all eight of their games since their victory in Edmonton, and Gagner has put up seven more points. With 14 goals and 14 assists in 34 games, he’s on pace to obliterate his NHL- and Oilers-high of 49 points, set as a rookie in 2007-08. He’s guaranteed to eclipse his high of 18 goals too.