Sam Gagner has been released from his PTO with the Carolina Hurricanes as the team finalizes its roster, marking a challenging moment in his career. At 35, Gagner, a veteran of 1,043 NHL games, faced stiff competition for a spot, particularly as the Hurricanes are one of the league's deepest teams. He is best known for his time with the Oilers, where he had a standout eight-point game against the Blackhawks in 2012. After spending last season splitting time between Edmonton and Bakersfield, Gagner's future remains uncertain, but his experience could still make him a valuable addition to another NHL team or a potential coaching role, possibly even with the Oilers.