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Entries with the tag: marian+gaborik
Rangers Go As Gaborik Goes
by Paul on 11/11/09 at 08:15 AM ET
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from Jay Greenberg of the NY Post,
The more things change, the more they stay the same for the Rangers. Two seasons removed from the daily grind of checking Jaromir Jagr’s pulse, they now will go as Marian Gaborik goes.
Different personality. Different coach. Similar reliance on one player to carry the offense, however, and in Gaborik, not quite Jagr’s ability to do so.
Gaborik broke 40 goals just once in eight Minnesota seasons and 35 goals twice, though admittedly with a Jacques Lemaire harness attached. John Tortorella wants Gaborik, off to a fine start with 12 goals and 10 assists, to go, go, go, and the Rangers, a healthy 11th in the league in goals scored thanks largely to their 11 in two meetings with dreadful Toronto, will succeed as he does.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik’s Gone And So Are The Goals
by Paul on 10/30/09 at 08:22 AM ET
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from Michael Russo of the Star Tribune,
There’s no hiding the first month of the Chuck Fletcher/Todd Richards regime was as successful as a grouse staring down the barrel of a shotgun, but, boy oh boy, the hockey gods sure had a good laugh at the Wild’s expense.
As the Wild keeps losing (it is 3-9), Gaborik keeps scoring (10 goals), although in a fitting twist of irony, Gaborik’s St. Paul homecoming is threatened tonight because of that oh-so familiar “lower body” injury. He hasn’t skated since Monday.
But let’s be honest: Gaborik’s fast start under the Broadway spotlight was as predictable as a rush-hour traffic jam through the Lincoln Tunnel.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Still Sore
by Paul on 10/29/09 at 03:30 PM ET
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from Steve Zipay of Blue Notes,
Personally, I believe the Slovakian right winger isn’t playing until Sunday afternoon against Boston in the Garden, but there’s a chance he’ll dress in Minnesota, where he played eight years, on Friday night.
Standing in the locker room with reporters after another practice in which he did not participate ---he was receiving treatment on his right leg, possibly thigh or hamstring, the club is not disclosing---he called himself “day-to-day.”
Not playing would be disappointing, Gaborik said. “We don’t play them that often. Definitely it would be something special.”
He confirmed that he was still sore from a front of the net collision late in the third period against Phoenix on Monday, but would be on the plane to Minneapolis this afternoon. The team’s top scorer, with 18 points, said he initially thought the injury was more severe.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Evaluating Gaborik’s Defensive Side
by Paul on 10/26/09 at 07:18 AM ET
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from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
“Fair; fair,” was the way John Tortorella responded yesterday when the head coach was asked for his evaluation of Gaborik’s play on the defensive side of the puck.
“It’s a process with him. You have to be careful with creative guys to be able to tell the difference between cheating and anticipation. You have to be really careful not to take away what makes them who they are,” Tortorella said.
Gaborik, dangerous whenever he’s on the ice, has scored eight goals, one off the NHL lead through Saturday shared by Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Patrick Marleau. The right wing has scored in two straight games, including Saturday’s outrageously nifty breakaway goal in Montreal against Jaroslav Halak.
But Gaborik also was cited doing a fair amount of neutral-zone hanging in the 5-4 overtime defeat.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Playing It Safe With Gaborik
by Paul on 09/13/09 at 07:23 AM ET
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from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
Marian Gaborik did not participate in the on-ice sprints due of a tender groin. This is not related to previous hip problems.
“We just want to be careful,” Tortorella said. “We don’t want to do anything stupid. We want to get him ready for the regular season.”
read on for the latest on Dubinsky and some talk about Zherdev offering to return to the Rangers…
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Says The New Wild Management Never Offered Him A Contract
by Paul on 07/08/09 at 03:33 PM ET
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from John Shipley of the Pioneer Press, “
Obviously, there was no decision for me because the Wild decided to go a different route,” Gaborik said. “Obviously, I would consider any offer, but I didn’t get any from the new era. I’m a Ranger now, and I’m very excited about that and looking forward to that new opportunity.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
One Big If For The Rangers
by Paul on 07/02/09 at 08:32 AM ET
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from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
Last night’s conference call in which the Rangers announced the signing of marquee free agent Marian Gaborik was interrupted after just about 30 seconds.
Let’s hope this was not a harbinger of things to come.
If he’s healthy, Gaborik is a great player; an electric offensive machine as capable of carrying his team as he is at carrying the puck and creating scoring chances for himself. He’s a pure finisher; a dynamic skater with remarkable offensive instincts and skills; and a creative soloist.
He is the go-to force the Rangers haven’t had since Jaromir Jagr in the first year after the lockout.
He is all that. He is all that if he’s healthy and can stay healthy.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Signs with Rangers, 5 Years
by Alanah McGinley on 07/01/09 at 08:19 PM ET
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From Darren Dreger via Twitter:
TSN is reporting Gaborik to the Rangers. 5 years x $5.75 [million]
Update 5:23pm ET: From TSN --
Former Minnesota Wild winger Marian Gaborik has agreed to a five-year contract with the New York Rangers.
The Slovakian forward will earn $5.75 million per year.
Update 5.29pm ET: UPDATED SALARY—TSN corrected their story, now saying the salary amount is 5 years at $7.5 million.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: marian+gaborik,
Gaborik Asking Price
by Paul on 07/01/09 at 06:45 PM ET
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via Michael Russo’s Twitter,
Source: Agent Ron Salcer asking today for 10-year, $75 million deal for Gaborik
Filed in: NHL Teams | KK Hockey | Permalink
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Once & For All, Gaborik Did Not Buy A Home In Vancouver
by Paul on 06/29/09 at 02:57 PM ET
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from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,
Had chance to catch up with Marian Gaborik’s agent, Ron Salcer, on Monday. He wanted to squash, once and for all, the strange rumor that his star client had bought a house in Vancouver.
“He has not bought a home in Vancouver, that’s outlandish,” Salcer told ESPN.com. “Marian has been in Slovakia. He hasn’t been shopping in Vancouver for a home. That’s just crazy.”
It appears fairly obvious Gaborik will hit the open market Wednesday. Other than one conversation with new Wild GM Chuck Fletcher, Salcer said he hasn’t really talked much with Minnesota lately.
“They have my number, they know how to reach me,” Salcer said.
read on for some Chelios talk…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Why The Interest In Gaborik?
by Paul on 06/29/09 at 10:41 AM ET
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from Ian MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun,
The Canucks don’t care where Gaborik lives because he won’t be playing for them. Not unless the winger decides he needs to re-establish himself in the NHL and signs a Teemu-Selanne-just-back-from-knee-surgery contract of $3-million for one year.
Other than that, the Canucks have no interest in him. None.
And that is hard to fathom, especially with the strong possibility the Canucks could lose first-liners Daniel and Henrik Sedin this week.
I mean, what’s not to like about Gaborik?
He has played 103 games fewer than the Sedins in the last three seasons.
He has played close to a full campaign only once in the last five seasons, while the slacker Sedins have missed seven games between them during that time.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild, Vancouver Canucks | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Wild Looking To Deal
by Paul on 06/24/09 at 08:37 AM ET
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from Michael Russo of Russo’s Rants,
Asked if Gaborik bought a home in Vancouver, Salcer (baborik agent) said, “I have no knowledge of that at all. I know nothing about that. Nothing.”
Asked if he’s had conversations with Gillis, Salcer said, “None.”
Chuck Fletcher wouldn’t comment on the Gaborik situation, other than to say he feels it important to keep everything close to the vest at this point.
“There’s nothing I can comment on with the whole Gaborik situation,” Fletcher said. “I’m just going to work through things and we’ll see how it plays out.”
However, he continues to have trade talks with several teams and is hoping to make a move or two in advance of or at the Draft itself. He continues to be entrenched in Dany Heatley talks, which besides the assets, would cost any team a $4 million signing bonus July 1 and then a $4 million salary during the season.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Wild Must Decide On Gaborik
by Paul on 06/19/09 at 09:25 PM ET
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from Michael Russo of Russo’s Rants at the Star-Tribune,
As for Marian Gaborik, Chuck Fletcher said he “intends to push the process forward next week so we try to get a sense from them” whether or not he’s willing to re-sign in Minnesota.
Fletcher won’t put a deadline on Gaborik, but he did say, he’s working the phones on trades, and a lot of what he does will depend on what he hears from Gaborik. There are things out there “that make sense for us,” he says.
If Gaborik isn’t re-signed by the Draft and a trade is available to make, Fletcher may just have to pull the trigger even if it means definitely closing the door on Gaborik.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Hopes To Play On Sunday
by Paul on 03/19/09 at 02:46 PM ET
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from Michael Russo Brian Stensaas of Russo’s Rants,
Big news out of Wild practice today. Barring any setbacks, Marian Gaborik said he feels he will return to the lineup Sunday afternoon against Edmonton.
Gaborik will travel with the team to New Jersey this afternoon. But he said playing tomorrow night against the Devils is unlikely. Instead, he’ll wait for the Oilers.
“We’ll probably shoot for Sunday’s game,” Gaborik said after an hourlong practice this morning. “Hopefully everything will progress. Hopefully I’ll be more pain free each day and go from there.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
A-Rod Gets Advice From Gaborik
by Paul on 03/14/09 at 08:47 PM ET
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from Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune,
On Thursday in Vail, Colo., Gaborik was sought out by Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, who last Monday had a torn labrum in his hip surgically repaired, like Gaborik, by surgeon Marc Philippon.
“He just wanted to know what to expect, how I’m feeling, what I’m doing as far as treatment—pretty much everything,” said Gaborik of his 15-minute meeting with A-Rod. “[St. Louis Blues winger Paul Kariya] and me just suggested to stay there for a while because it’s the best place to be to [rehab for hip surgery].”
Gaborik said it was great to meet such a star.
“Everybody knows A-Rod,” Gaborik said, laughing. “Nice guy. Huge, huge guy. He doesn’t look like that on TV.”
Kariya and Gaborik had surgery an hour apart Jan. 5 and rehabbed together all winter. “It was fun to be around him and learn some things from him,” Gaborik said.
more on the Wild…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Alex+Rodriguez, Marian+Gaborik,
Would Gaborik Sign A Short-Term Deal With The Wild?
by Paul on 03/13/09 at 08:52 AM ET
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from Michael Russo of the Star Tribune,
Although most have assumed Gaborik’s Wild career will end after the season, General Manager Doug Risebrough said Thursday the Wild is considering making a short-term contract proposal to Gaborik.
“I envisioned signing him this year. It didn’t work out. Now maybe this is a way to make it work out based on the existing circumstances,” Risebrough said.
The “existing circumstances” Risebrough’s referring? With the salary cap expected to decrease significantly in two summers, it’ll be difficult for Gaborik to sign a long-term deal with any team this summer, especially considering he has been limited to six games and has had three injury-shortened seasons in the past four.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Feels Great
by Paul on 03/02/09 at 02:19 PM ET
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from Bruce Brothers of the Pioneer Press,
Expected then to be back in 10 to 14 weeks, Gaborik, said he believes he’s ahead of schedule but said his return would depend on his upcoming workouts.
“I feel really good,” he said, adding that training at nearly 8,000 feet of elevation, skating, swimming and working out in Vail “definitely helps.”
He called Vail “the best place to rehab,” but said his skating has been limited to hitting the ice without pads and equipment.
That changes Thursday, when he will begin zeroing in on getting back into the lineup. The Wild have made the target date between March 10 and March 20.
“I’m going to come back and skate with gear on and progress, and when that time will come, I’m definitely looking forward to it,” he said.
more and Marian talks about his future too…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Wild Plan To Keep Gaborik
by Paul on 03/01/09 at 08:06 AM ET
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from Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune,
General Manager Doug Risebrough made it clear this weekend that, in his mind, Marian Gaborik will be the biggest acquisition the Wild makes by Wednesday’s trade deadline.
Risebrough said Gaborik, who has played six games all season, is right on schedule in his rehabilitation from left hip surgery. Even if it means the pending unrestricted free agent walks away this summer for nothing, Risebrough said he probably won’t trade Gaborik.
“[Gaborik’s] further along than we thought he was going to be,” Risebrough said. “So, I don’t know what that means other than I know it’s going to be a big shot in the arm for us when he comes back.
“And that’s one consideration when you ask, ‘How comfortable are you [with this team]?’ I’m planning on [Gaborik returning].”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Wild Owner Feels Gaborik Will Be Part Of Their Playoff Run
by Paul on 02/26/09 at 09:40 AM ET
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Craig Custance of Sporting News Today recently conducted an interview with Wild owner Craig Leipold.
Leipold says Gaborik is making great strides with his rehab and is confident Marian will be part of the playoff run for the Wild.
Read the interview here which include numerous hockey topics…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+Leipold, Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Skating
by Paul on 02/15/09 at 07:21 PM ET
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from Russo’s Rants,
Marian Gaborik is skating, Risebrough said, and Risebrough maintains that he expects Gaborik to eventually return to the Wild’s lineup, not somebody else’s. However, Risebrough said Gaborik has a big physical that he must pass March 3 in order to really ramp up his training. You know me by now. I’m a conspiracy theorist. I find it interesting that 1) Risebrough knows the date because he normally lets Tom Lynn handle details about most everything and 2) March 3 is one day before the trade deadline. Or maybe it’s just a coincidence, eh?
Risebrough did his best to lower expectations for any “magical trade deadline” move for a scorer. Risebrough said, grinning, “He’s recovering,” meaning Gaborik.
more on the Wild…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Wild Owner Talks Backstrom & Gaborik
by Paul on 02/07/09 at 10:10 PM ET
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from Michael Russo of the Star Tribune,
Off the ice, the Wild’s top priority is working on a contract extension for Backstrom, 30, an All-Star goalie who can become a free agent this summer.
“Negotiations are going on,” Leipold said. “We like Nick Backstrom. He’s a great goalie in this league. We want to have him here. He wants to be here. Hopefully we’re going to work it out. That’s really all I know. I would hope that we could get Backstrom signed, and I’d be surprised if we didn’t.”
Backstrom said Friday, “Nothing’s going on. Time will tell."…
And yes, Leipold still maintains he has high hopes that the Wild can re-sign Gaborik rather than trading him by the March 4 deadline.
“Our only intention was re-signing Gaborik. It is still our only intention,” Leipold said. “Unfortunately the injury caused everything to shut down. It’s our hope that we’ll still re-sign him. I think he’d like to play here. We’re not done yet.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Craig+Leipold, Marian+Gaborik, Niklas+Backstrom,
At Least The Wild Saved Some Money
by Paul on 01/03/09 at 08:38 AM ET
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from Patrick Reusse of the Star-Tribune,
They are the smartest guys in the room and if you gave them a choice between losing money and losing a player, the members of the Wild brain trust would go for losing the player every time.
Thus, there might be a tinge of front office disappointment that the Wild will be losing the most dynamic player in franchise history and get nothing in return, but you can be assured that Doug Risebrough and his minions will spend much time congratulating themselves for not committing to a long-term contract for many millions to Marian Gaborik....
The best bet today is Gaborik has played his last game for the Wild. He’ll hit the market this summer with two surgically repaired hips, sign a one-year contract with a contending team—such as Marian Hossa did with Detroit—and re-establish himself as a star.
The Wild? Lemaire will get his lads to play even more defense and keep his team on the cusp of playoff contention over the next two months. Then, as the March 4 trade deadline approaches and other teams yield prospects for reinforcements, Risebrough will strike.
A year ago, the acquisition was Chris Simon, a misunderstood gentleman now trying to start World War III in the Russian league. The prediction here is that this is the move Risebrough has on his hip, so to speak:
He’s going to bring in at the cost of nothing another misunderstood chap—Sean Avery.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Will Have Surgery
by Paul on 01/02/09 at 03:47 PM ET
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via Russo’s Rants,
Marian Gaborik is scheduled to have surgery on his left hip on Monday in Vail, Colo.
The surgery will address a deficiency in his hip that has caused chronic left groin pain. The surgeon has apprised the team that a return to play from this surgery is as soon as ten weeks, with the player able to begin skating after six weeks.
That’ll take it past the March 4 trade deadline obviously.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Surgery An Option For Gaborik
by Paul on 01/01/09 at 05:39 PM ET
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from John Shipley of the Pioneer Press,
Marian Gaborik has a hip deficiency that is causing his groin problems and is contemplating surgery that would all but end his season, and perhaps his tenure with the Minnesota Wild.
Assistant general manager Tom Lynn said Thursday the decision likely will be made within the next two to three days.
“It’s something you can manage, or you can have surgery,” Lynn said.
That should put to an end all of those made-up rumors that Gaborik is about to be traded.
added 5:46pm, from Russo’s Rants,
This is catastrophic, and I’m not talking about what this does to the team this season.
The Wild likely would have an untradeable asset, one that would likely walk at the end of the season. From Gaborik’s perspective, there is no chance he’d command anything close to around the $8 million a year the Wild offered him at the start of the season....
I talked to Doug Risebrough this morning, and the reason I got real suspicious to pursue this story? When I asked if he was worried Gaborik woudn’t play again this season, Risebrough basically said yes. When I told him I had heard it was recommended Gaborik have season-ending surgery, he said, “I’m not commenting.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
The Latest On Gaborik
by Paul on 12/31/08 at 01:20 PM ET
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from Russo’s Rants,
Speaking of not being 100 percent, Gaborik did not skate this morning even though the team updated us yesterday that he was supposed to skate. Via a spokesman, Tom Lynn said today, “it was decided he needed to get a good skate without pain before a move into full practice.”
After today’s ”feeling out” skate, Lynn said the team decided to hold him out. Translation: He’s hurting again, meaning uh-oh....
Back to Gaborik, he has often told us he doesn’t want to play unless he’s 100 percent. The team is freefalling. I’m pretty sure not all Wild players are playing at 100 percent. I asked Jacques Lemaire if he had a problem with having a player not willing to play at 100 percent, and he said, “Well, Nolan is not 100 percent and he asked me to play tonight. And I know he’s not 100 percent because he only had that little practice today.”
Pretty big indictment, although Lemaire later said when pressed further, “I don’t know how the guy feels … physically,” so give him the benefit of the doubt, essentially.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik To Sit Out Next Two Games As Rumors Swirl
by Paul on 12/24/08 at 08:41 AM ET
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from Russo’s Rants,
After tonight’s game, assistant GM Tom Lynn announced that the Wild will hold out Marian Gaborik Sunday vs. Chicago and Monday vs. Calgary.
“Marian’s going to take the Christmas break off and it looks like we’re not going to play him in the two games back-to-back. We’re doing this, not him,” Lynn said. “When he played back-to-back the other day, he got very sore. We were thinking of playing him in one game and not the other, but [GM] Doug [Risebrough] made the decision that he’s going to make [Gaborik] rest for four days and hold him out. Hopefully he’ll be back full-time after that.”
This does seem awfully suspicious.
First of all, the Wild is clinging to eighth in the West. To sit its best scorer in back-to-back games against two quality teams seems a little strange.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Talking Wild
by Paul on 12/22/08 at 08:32 PM ET
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from Russo’s Rants,
Assistant GM Tom Lynn said Marc-Andre Bergeron, who leads the Wild defensemen with 16 points, is out a matter of “weeks, not days,” due to a lower-body injury. He didn’t want to peg an exact time frame, but obviously it’ll be into the New Year. Defenseman Erik Reitz will take Bergeron’s spot in the lineup, and with Kurtis Foster still a ways from returning, you can bet this puts a halt on any possible trading of one of the Wild defensemen....
Lynn also said Marian Gaborik will be managing his injury for at least a month. So he’ll be judging his own discomfort and decide when he needs to take a practice off or leave practice early. Lynn said that’s normal, and with only one back-to-back before Jan. 19-20 games, Lynn feels Gaborik should be fine to play every game (unless of course there’s an aggravation).
read on for more on the Wild and the Gaborik to Atlanta rumor…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marc-Andre+Bergeron, Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Feeling “Discomfort”
by Alanah McGinley on 12/19/08 at 02:55 PM ET
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This from TSN:
The Minnesota Wild placed right wing Owen Nolan on injured reserve with a leg injury on Friday. Nolan, 36, has five goals and five assists in 17 games with the Wild this season, his first with the club.
To take his spot on the roster, Minnesota recalled center Krys Kolanos from Houston of the American Hockey League.
Wasn’t Kolanos sent down before to make room for Gaborik to come back? Or is there someone else injured in this equation now that I’m forgetting?
Maybe just Gaborik again. According to Michael Russo at the Star Tribune:
Some potential news brewing here in Minnesota, and the first is, to quote the Seinfeld show, “not gonna be good for anybody.”
Marian Gaborik was the first one off the ice today. He ultimately admitted he feels “some discomfort” and added later after some further pressing by myself that ”If I would need to rest it, I’d definitely consider it. But I’m playing tonight and hopefully everything’s going to be good.”
As Russo goes on to explain, the situation is anything but “good.”
Filed in: | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: krys+kolanos, marian+gaborik, owen+nolan,
Gaborik is “Good to Go”
by Alanah McGinley on 12/16/08 at 02:51 PM ET
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From John Shipley at the Pioneer Press:
Marian Gaborik will return to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 14 when the Wild play host to Calgary on Wednesday night at Xcel Energy Center.
After a 90-minute practice today, Gaborik declared himself fit.
“I’m good to go for tomorrow,” he said.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: marian+gaborik,
Gaborik Looking At A Wednesday Return
by Paul on 12/15/08 at 04:18 PM ET
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via Bruce Brothers of the Pioneer Press,
All signs point to Marian Gaborik returning to the ice for the Wild on Wednesday night.
“It looks pretty good,” he said of the possibility he would be ready to play against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night at the Xcel Energy Center, adding that his status remains “day by day.
“Today was a good day. Hopefully, it’ll be another good day tomorrow, and if everything goes good, hopefully jump into the game Wednesday.”
Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said Gaborik “looks very good” and added, “I just want him back.”
But, Lemaire cautioned, “It’ll be up to him.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Not Ready To Play
by Paul on 12/09/08 at 06:12 PM ET
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from Russo’s Rants,
Gaborik was clearly happy to be on the ice with his teammates. The last time was Oct. 30, but that was just an optional morning skate and he sustained a setback. He was chirping some of his teammates this morning and was smiling a lot.
Lemaire was less excited. He was in kind of an abrasive mood. He said Gaborik was a long way of playing, said he was rusty and almost had an “I’ll believe it when I see it” attitude. After all, Gaborik’s sustained setbacks before.
Lemaire even sarcastically said, “If we’re not too strict with his defense, we’ll be fine. He’ll be able to get some goals.”
more and a video from practice with a short interview with Gaborik…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Value Keeps Declining
by Paul on 12/06/08 at 10:29 PM ET
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from Michael Russo of the Star Tribune,
This contract ordeal has been watched closely by the entire NHL, and over the past month the Star Tribune has talked to nearly a dozen current and former league executives. Many refused to be quoted or asked for anonymity, but they all had an opinion—from “Gaborik should re-sign” for a fair deal to “the Wild waited too long.”
“Unfortunately, it’s as difficult and challenging a situation that you can be in,” said Doug MacLean, the former Columbus Blue Jackets general manager.
That’s in part because it’s hard to see an end game that has Gaborik re-signing, yet the team’s ability to trade him has been halted by this injury. It’s a worst-case scenario for the Wild.
“You’ve got the [March 4 trade] deadline,” MacLean said. “That’s the sad part of this whole scenario. They had an amazing asset that’s diminished.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Minnesota Wild | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Gaborik Watch
by Paul on 11/18/08 at 09:30 AM ET
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from Bob McKenzie of TSN,
There is a rumor out there that the Minnesota Wild are on the verge of trading Gaborik. As in any hour or day now, it’s that close.
Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t be a reach.
Gaborik, after all, is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
Gaborik, thus far, has rejected all contract offers from the Wild and it doesn’t look like he’s about to put pen to paper in the Twin Cities any time soon.
added 1:36pm, via Russo’s Rants,
Risebrough, by the way according to multiple sources, was at last night’s Ottawa-Rangers game — two teams I said weeks ago made sense for a potential Marian Gaborik trade. Bryan Murray, Ottawa’s GM, loves making blockbusters, and Rangers GM Glen Sather is buddy buddy with RisebroughClarification: Doug Risebrough was on the Ottawa-Rangers press box seating chart, but he never made it to the game. He planned to scout the game, but flight problems forced him to detour to Pittsburgh. He was in Pittsburgh by 4:45 yesterday..
added 2:24pm, Mark Hermann of Newsday wonders if the Rangers could fit Gaborik into the lineup…
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Gaborik Spotting
by Paul on 11/12/08 at 05:15 PM ET
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from Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press,
Gaborik never even got close to the real practice.
Later, during our ghostly meeting, Gaborik noted: “I skated for a little while today.”
Anyway, he doesn’t sound like a man who is going to be playing hockey any time soon. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. Gaborik can’t be traded until he shows he is healthy. And he really can’t be signed to a mega-contract until he shows he is healthy. Would you give him more than $82 million right now? I asked him if this was the worst time of his life.
“I’ve had worse,” he muttered.
I didn’t have the heart to ask him what those were. But at least he’s alive.
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Demitra Says Wild Should Just Sign Gaborik
by Paul on 11/08/08 at 06:14 PM ET
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from Michael Russo of Russo’s Rants,
Talked with Pavol Demitra this morning. He’s close to returning from a rib injury but won’t play tonight. He was disappointed. He was very friendly and said Jacques Lemaire treated him incredibly. He said his biggest frustration in Minnesota was not playing center, but being switched from line to line. He was also good talking about Marian Gaborik’s situation and said the Wild should just sign him.
more Wild related notes…
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Tags: Marian+Gaborik, Pavol+Demitra,
Gaborik A Tough Sell
by Paul on 10/29/08 at 03:46 PM ET
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from Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated,
With potential trading partners just saying no, it’s starting to seem more likely that impending free agent Marian Gaborik will remain with the Wild, at least until the new year. Even then he’ll be a tough sell, unless GM Doug Risebrough is willing to lower his demands.
“There’s nowhere near the market for him that you think,” one league exec said. “He’s a highly skilled guy, but the risk is so high. Even if you were able to sign him [to an extension] as part of the deal, you have to consider his [injury] history. I’m not sure it’s worth the risk to a contender or a young team that’s rebuilding.”
more with other hockey topics…
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Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Headline of The Day
by Paul on 10/29/08 at 09:32 AM ET
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A hockey website had this headline today: Teams Scouting Gaborik!
I did not read on, but did wonder, are they following him around, checking out his walking ability? He hasn’t played a game in two weeks, so it may be a little difficult to ‘scout’ him these days.
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Pens Not Interested In Gaborik
by Paul on 10/26/08 at 12:08 AM ET
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from Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,
Pay no attention to rampant Internet speculation that the Penguins are interested in trading for Minnesota left wing Marian Gaborik. His injury history is a major concern. His asking price, at least $9 million annually, is a deal-breaker. The Penguins are not sure the salary cap will rise beyond next season, meaning a third high-priced forward on a long-term deal is unlikely.
more hockey notes…
The way the Gaborik talking is going, we will soon see every NHL team saying they are not spending $8-$10M on a guy who has a history of injuries.
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High Risk, High Reward Hockey
by Alanah McGinley on 10/24/08 at 01:31 PM ET
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From Eric Duhatschek at the Globe & Mail,
With the two Alexes – Ovechkin and Semin – leading the charge, the Washington Capitals might be the greatest show on the ice right now, the heir apparent to the swashbuckling Edmonton Oilers of the mid-1980s. If that’s the case, then defenceman Mike Green is the 21st-century equivalent of Paul Coffey in style and approach – one of half-a-dozen promising young rearguards who will get a long look from the management staff of Canada’s 2010 Olympic team. Green plays a high-risk, high-reward style. Most nights, he is a defenceman in name only and plays almost as a fourth forward.
This is done with the permission of his coach Bruce Boudreau who, since taking over the reins of the Capitals last December, loosened them considerably on all of his young players. Now, instead of making a defensive choice on a 50-50 puck battle, they have permission to err on the offensive side. Some nights, it backfires, but on balance, it generally works.
and more on the Capitals plus other hockey topics, from Marian Gaborik to Sarah Palin
Update 1:55pm ET: Ken Campbell at The Hockey News has more thoughts on the Capitals today, specifically on Alex Ovechkin’s season thus far.
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Tags: marian+gaborik, mike+green, sarah+palin,
Who Made Up Those Numbers
by Paul on 10/22/08 at 08:19 PM ET
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from John Shipley of the Pioneer Press,
Convinced his client has been the victim of a “character assassination,” Marian Gaborik’s agent Ron Salcer on Wednesday denied a handful of contract numbers that have surfaced recently in newspapers and blogs.
Salcer specifically denied a New York Post report that Gaborik is asking the Wild for a 10-year, $100 million deal, and said he has not received offers of $85 million over 10 years, $90 million over 10 years or $70 million over 10 years.
“When and if they do get offered,” he said, “maybe something will happen.”
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Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Another ‘Rumor’ Shot Down
by Paul on 10/22/08 at 05:20 PM ET
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from Rich Hammond of Inside the Kings,
Since this lovely rumor seems to have gained some traction among legitimate news organizations, I thought I would take the opportunity to talk about rumors in general and the ``Marian Gaborik might be coming to L.A.’’ rumor in specific. It’s rumors such as this one that tend to make my hair fall out in clumps.
Gaborik makes $6.3 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Those are two HUGE red flags that should indicate to anyone that he’s not coming to the Kings.
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Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Shopping Gaborik
by Paul on 10/21/08 at 07:37 AM ET
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from Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune,
Gaborik, who has a history of abdominal and leg injuries, has missed the past two games because of a “lower body injury.” Because there’s always a risk of injury with Gaborik, the latest leg problem has convinced the Wild it’s important to investigate trading him sooner than later, sources say....
It’s believed Risebrough has had trade talks with Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey and Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi. Risebrough will attend Thursday’s GM meetings in Chicago, so talks could heat up with a number of teams.
It’s believed the Wild is interested in Canadiens defenseman prospect Ryan McDonagh, a former Cretin-Derham Hall star and Minnesota Mr. Hockey who was Montreal’s No. 12 pick in 2007 and plays now at the University of Wisconsin. The Wild would also want an established player.
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The Gaborik Talk
by Paul on 10/17/08 at 04:09 PM ET
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from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
At the moment, the Marian Gaborik-to-Montreal rumour that made the rounds in cyberspace this week has its genesis in one thing, and one thing alone – the close relationship between the man who may eventually have to trade Gaborik if he can’t sign him to a contract extension, Minnesota Wild general manager Doug Risebrough, and his long-time Habs’ teammate, Gainey. If Risebrough needs to shop Gaborik – something that will happen later rather than sooner, largely because so few teams could fit his $7.5-million (all currency U.S.) annual salary under the cap in mid-October - he would ideally like to place him with an Eastern Conference team.
more plus other hockey topics…
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Gaborik Out With Lower-Body Injury
by Paul on 10/16/08 at 12:01 PM ET
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via Russo’s Rants,
Marian Gaborik is out tonight with a lower body injury.
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Morning Line
by Paul on 10/12/08 at 09:40 AM ET
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One thing for sure: These Internet rumors that Gaborik wants to play in Edmonton are as laughable as Sean Avery jumping up and down in front of Martin Brodeur.
-Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune. More hockey talk from Russo…
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The Rumor Talk
by Paul on 10/11/08 at 09:08 PM ET
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The boys on Hockey Hot Stove on HNIC with the following:
Pierre LeBrun states the starting point for signing Zetterberg will be $8.25 million per year.
Mike Milbury mentioned Marian Gaborik talks are at a standstill. May be an ego thing with Gaborik, the Wild make him an offer, he turns them down. LeBrun said he will be traded “soon”, Wild won’t wait for the March 3rd trade deadline.
Pierre also mentioned Satan on the wing in Pittsburgh is not going well, so keep an eye on the Penguins getting involved in the Gaborik trade talk.
Filed in: NHL Teams | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Henrik+Zetterberg, Marian+Gaborik,
Leipold Hopes To Sign Gaborik
by Paul on 10/10/08 at 09:32 AM ET
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from Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press,
Craig Leipold, who on Saturday begins his first full season as owner of the Wild, figures he has a playoff team.
“I think it’s very fair to say we’re a playoff team,” said Leipold, a former owner of the Nashville Predators. “We have the same players basically (as last season’s division champions). My expectations are high, and I think we’re going to go a long way. I like this team — there is high energy — and I think everyone on the team would be disappointed if we didn’t make the playoffs.”
As for the contract extension stalemate with all-star player Marian Gaborik, Leipold said he still hopes to sign the team’s top scorer, who can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Gaborik’s future in Minnesota is basically up to Gaborik, Leipold said.
a few more hockey related bits…
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Gaborik Contract Talks Go Nowhere
by Paul on 10/04/08 at 07:58 AM ET
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from Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune,
Marian Gaborik’s long-term future with the Wild never has been more uncertain.
General Manager Doug Risebrough told the Star Tribune on Friday that he does not expect to sign Gaborik, who is one season from unrestricted free agency, to a contract extension by the start of the season.
“Not making any headway,” said Risebrough, who last month said it would be prudent to sign Gaborik, the team’s all-time leading scorer, to an extension by next Saturday’s season opener. “I was trying to do something before the season. It’s not happening. ... It’s not going to happen by the start of the season.”
Asked if he’ll react by putting Gaborik on the trading block, Risebrough said, “That, I’ll have to determine.”
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Looking At Gaborik
by Paul on 09/25/08 at 09:28 AM ET
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from Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province,
So chances are when all is said and done, with all those forces working on him, Gaborik will swallow his personal feelings and sign. But if he doesn’t, that’s when it really gets to be fun.
There’s no way Minny trades him to Vancouver. That almost certainly won’t happen given they’re in the same division. But if the team taking him in a deal can’t re-sign him, he may well consider coming here next year to meet up with old buddy Demitra. Gaborik probably wouldn’t mind playing with Marian Hossa either, but Hossa will also be a free agent next year and going for big money, so any team that wanted to pair them would have to be laying out a minimum of $18 million for the next five or six years.
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Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
Sides Are Far Apart In Gaborik Contract Negotiations
by Paul on 09/23/08 at 04:17 PM ET
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from Michael Russo of Russo’s Rants,
Marian Gaborik was nowhere to be seen today.
Negotiations are clearly at a delicate juncture, very delicate. The two sides are far apart, although Risebrough said he plans to keep trying to get Gaborik inked to an extension. He again maintains he has had no trade talks and doesn’t plan any in the foreseeable future.
The irony here is the big risk in paying Gaborik Ovechkin money or Crosby money or Malkin money or Staal money or Lecavalier money is he’s so injury prone.
And here Gaborik is seeking to be paid like a top two or three player in the NHL while he’s out with a strained quad aggravated on the first day of training camp.
more on the Wild…
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