"We've been able to talk a lot the last few days about our tendencies and trying to figure each other out," Gagner said. "I played a little bit with both of them in the past, Nuge last year a little bit and Neal way back when, but I'm excited about it.
"There's a recipe for success on that line. Obviously Nuge is a great two-way player who can create a lot of offence, and Neal is a shooter. For myself, it's a matter of trying to hunt pucks down and make plays for those two guys. I think we can be really effective."
The first test for Gagner will be to occupy his off-wing on the right side after lining up on Nugent Hopkins' left side for the majority of Camp's practices and scrimmages.
"It's a change, but at the same time I think there's areas where it can be really helpful," he said. "I think on rims, a lot of the times they're coming to my forehand so I'm able to knock those down and make plays. I feel comfortable making plays on my backhand, then it's just a matter of being on the inside in the D-zone and making sure I'm winning races to pucks."
YOUNG & ASPIRING BOUCHARD
Big dreams in the NHL demand big things from rookies.
19-year-old blueliner Bouchard got a taste of the dedication needed to remain in the NHL at the start of last season, appearing in seven games and scoring his first NHL goal against the Washington Capitals before dominating the OHL with the London Knights and the Calder Cup Playoffs with the Bakersfield Condors.
"The biggest thing was getting to see what the pro lifestyle is like and seeing how hard they work day in, day out," Bouchard said. "You have to come in here and take someone's job, so that's motivation to do it. They're not going to let you do it easily, so you just have to keep pushing yourself."
Bouchard impressed Tippett with two goals and two assists in Sunday's scrimmage at the Downtown Community Arena, and already is showing his potential and growth in his game despite a limited tenure as an NHL regular.
