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Audition Time For Gaborik
by Mike Chen on 04/01/09 at 03:24 PM ET
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While Marian Gaborik’s current “audition” (and by audition, I mean showing off his skills for the free agent market) may not be as entertaining as Christopher Walken’s audition for Star Wars, it’s still interesting in that it’s got several different layers to it. Minnesota hasn’t gained any ground in the playoff race with Gaborik back in the lineup but his own personal stats have been fantastic. He’s showing his speed and skill, and he’s looking like a top-flight player again. One has to wonder how many close games Gaborik’s point-per-game pace could have tipped in Minnesota’s favor. If he was healthy all season, it’s probably safe to say that the Wild would safely be in a playoff spot right now with at least a handful more wins.
Of course, there was a time when Gaborik could have been in the lineup despite being less than 100%. Gaborik notoriously mentioned that he didn’t want to play hurt, something that’s pretty tough for a hockey player of any level to accept from a teammate. Similarly, Gaborik’s revelation that he didn’t really watch his team while focusing on his rehab apparently didn’t sit well with folks in Minnesota.
So he’s injury prone, soft, and isn’t a team player. Splendid, right?
Well, the problem is that when Gaborik’s on his game, he’s an elite talent in the league. From his explosive speed to his soft hands and accurate shot, it’s a package that’s hard to replicate for any team in need of scoring. That’s what Gaborik’s put on display in his handful of games back, and it’s going to be tempting for at least a few GMs in the league.
That brings us back to his “audition”, which is what these remaining Minnesota games ostensibly are. No one really expects Gaborik to be back, and why would he want to return to the place that doesn’t allow his pure scoring ability to shine through? Wild fans have a love/hate relationship with Gaborik, so a fresh start is probably a good thing.
What do teams see in Gaborik right now? In addition to his blazing speed, Gaborik’s put up better than a point-per-game pace since his return, and he’s regularly topped more than four shots on goal. No, he won’t be up for the Selke award anytime soon, and you won’t see him grinding things out in the corner to take control of the puck, but that’s not his game. Gaborik’s about using his speed to create offense, and he’s showing that even after missing nearly the entire season, he’s still got.
At 27, Gaborik’s just entering into the prime of his career—the point where he should be at his physical peak for the next few years. Does that mean his body will be less prone to injury? Probably not, but consider how Daniel Alfredsson was considered soft and injury prone in the first part of his career before going to become a true team leader for the Ottawa Senators. Gaborik probably won’t have that sort of epiphany, but with the right coach and the right motivation, maybe Gaborik can turn into more of a complete player.
But for now, a team like the Atlanta Thrashers should be scouting Gaborik’s every stride in anticipation of July 1. It’s a high-risk, high-reward venture. If he stays healthy (Gaborik’s never played a full season, though he’s eclipsed 77 games three times) and if he finds a coach that instills a sense of toughness and responsibility in him, Gaborik can be one of the top players in the league for years to come.
All of those ifs come with a a price tag. And the points that Gaborik’s currently putting up is a tease akin to a fantastic-looking movie trailer. The trouble is, of course, you don’t know if that movie will actually be worth your $10 (or in hockey salary terms, $6 - 7 million) or if it’ll be one of the worst things ever made.
Filed in: NHL | Mike Chen's Hockey Blog | Permalink
Tags: Marian+Gaborik,
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