Rumor Roundup: Wild about Gaborik
Marian Gaborik skates against the Calgary Flames. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)
Lyle Richardson
2008-08-25 11:13:41
• A recent four-hour dinner meeting between Minnesota Wild management and star right winger Marian Gaborik in Slovakia reportedly went well and could set the stage for his eventual re-signing.
While Wild GM Doug Risebrough and assistant GM Tom Lynn have yet to make a contract offer, they spoke with Gaborik, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency next July, about his role in the team’s plans.
Gaborik’s agent insisted his client never agreed to re-sign with the Wild and Lynn admitted if contract talks should reach a stalemate the club could consider trade options.
Neither side wants those talks to become the kind of distraction the Atlanta Thrashers faced with Marian Hossa last season. Because of this, the Wild could move Gaborik early this season, but thus far it appears both sides may be keen to get a deal done.
• Mats Sundin’s unwillingness to make a decision on his future has kept his name active in this summer’s rumor mill.
Last week, the New York Post created a stir by claiming Sundin had decided he wanted to sign with the Rangers. That story was quickly denied by his agent, but was followed by reports of Philadelphia Flyers GM Paul Holmgren having interest in the longtime Maple Leafs captain.
Both clubs, however, are currently pressed against the league’s $56.7 million cap, leaving little room to sign him.
Forget about talk of Sundin possibly accepting a $2 million, bonus-laden contract. After taking a “hometown discount” to play with the Maple Leafs last season, he’s likely to seek at least $7 million this time around, should he decide to play.
Unless the Rangers or Flyers are willing to dump significant salary prior to signing Sundin, it seems unlikely he’ll be playing for either club.
• The hoopla surrounding a possible trade of Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bryan McCabe to the Florida Panthers has subsided, but speculation persists over the potential return to the Leafs should this deal go through in September, as rumored.
Defenseman Mike Van Ryn remains linked to this deal since the Leafs would need an experienced blueliner to replace McCabe and a recent report in the Miami Herald suggested veteran right winger Richard Zednik could also be part of the package.
The combined cap hits of Van Ryn and Zednik is a little more than $4.5 million. With McCabe’s cap hit at $5.75 million, the Leafs could potentially save more than $1 million in payroll this season.
Zednik has one season remaining on his current contract and Van Ryn has two.
It remains to be seen whether this McCabe-to-Florida rumor will come to fruition. Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher and McCabe’s agent Ian Pulver offered no further word on the rumor following their initial denials, while Panthers GM Jacques Martin refuses to comment.
• USA Today reported last week former Los Angeles Kings forward Ladislav Nagy signed a two-year, $5.6 million contract with Cherepovets of the Kontinental League.
Nagy was among the few notable players remaining in this summer’s UFA market, but was unable to land a contract with an NHL team.
However, his agent said Nagy hasn’t ruled out a possible return if an NHL club is willing to provide him with the playing time he needs to perform at a high level.
Should efforts on a transfer agreement between the NHL and KHL fall through, Nagy could possibly return this season.
Rumor Roundup appears Mondays only on thehockeynews.com. Lyle Richardson has been an NHL commentator since 1998 on his website, spectorshockey.net, and is a contributing writer for Foxsports.com and Eishockey Magazine.
leafs fan (Posted 2008-09-12 20:57:42)
how about a gaborik for kovulchuk swap there both unhappy
La Duke (Posted 2008-08-29 09:11:45)
Montreal has an upcoming stable of D. Ryan McDonagh will be a Sophmore at Univ. WI Badger this year, and will be an all-star defenseman in a few years. He ca move the puck up the ICE just like Markov. Also Ryan O'Byrne (6' 6") and Josh Gorges could be gone for a power forward.
How about Kovalchuk to Montreal? Montreal needs to win the cup in their 100th year anniversary!
Crazy Idea Killer (Posted 2008-08-28 19:29:07)
Hey, La Duke. Who are these star defensemen that les canadiens have that Minnesota would take for Gaborik?
Hey Sam. I would take Hossa. Not Even Close.
Hey A. Kovalev. I hope you're being sarcastic, or else I hope you don't have kids, as we don't need you in the gene pool.
Hey crazycanuck. I hope you're being sarcastic, or else I hope you don't have kids, as we don't need you in the gene pool.
Gaborik or Kovalchuk (Posted 2008-08-28 17:55:46)
I would like for Gillis to pull the 10 mill./season offer to Mats Sundin OFF the table. And trade for either Gaborik or Kovalchuk. Then Re-sign either to the 10./year. Gaborik or Kovalchuk on our team is what we need. Not Sundin. Please, Gillis, make a trade for either of these two sticks of dynamite.
Komisarekbeating (Posted 2008-08-28 11:35:39)
crazycanuck, Risebrough would have to eat a trailer full of Maple Leaf cold cuts to make a McCabe for Gaborik trade! Throw in Schenn and Pogge, and a draft pick along with the pylon McCabe, you may get a call back! In other words, fans of the city of Losers, TML, The Mightiest Losers, just continue to live with the usual losing season!!! STBY!!!!
Mr.Matt (Posted 2008-08-27 12:12:52)
Gaborik for saku koivu and one of too many good young defenseman
Saku have to break is no trade clause, But I think wild may have some good argument for that.
La Duke (Posted 2008-08-27 10:51:52)
Gaborik to Montreal. He can play with AK27, and Plekanic on the same line. He will turn into a 60 goal scorer, especially with the HABS powerplay. Montreal might have to give up a couple star defenseman to fit the Wild's defensive hockey strategy - but Montreal is deep on defense, and only going to get better with their youthful D.
Sam (Posted 2008-08-27 08:42:48)
Malkin for Gaborik and pick anyone? (Staal moves to second line centre and Sid the Kid gets bonafide winger.)
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-26 17:12:02)
At least I was joking about my Hatcher for Zetterburg trade.The sad thing is I think Crazy Canuck was serious about Mccabe for Gaborik.
A.Kovalev (Posted 2008-08-26 16:48:20)
Flyer guy 16 and Sickofcrazydreamers: I want the Habs to get in on the trades you're proposing as well.How about Latendresse for Iginla and a 1st rounder.Think Sutter'd go for it?
Flyerfan (Posted 2008-08-26 13:22:22)
Gaborik was 12th in the league is scoring last year. He's played most of his career with little offensive help. Why do so many posters think that's a excuse for Sundin but call Gaborik an under achiever? Gaborik also played in a stifling defense first situation. He'll be a heck of an asset whenever he ends up.
Rob M (Posted 2008-08-26 13:17:01)
I think you guys should stop people calling stupid and dumb for their opinions on where they would like to see Gaborik go or where they want him to go. Any Leafs fan would want to see him in Toronto. As I stated before Anaheim has players the Wild coaching staff would love because of defensive production and the Kings need a guy like Gaborik. Am I dumb for thinking that? Of course not it's my opinion much like others on here. So maybe lay off a bit to all you "hockey know-it-alls".
zako (Posted 2008-08-26 13:02:51)
the leafs would be dum too trade ther first pick it will be high plus stajan will have a breakout year this season
Sam (Posted 2008-08-26 12:02:58)
Anthony I am a Leafs fan and to be honest Minnesota wouldn't make that trade unless they had no chance of signing Gaborik and the Leafs first rounder was guaranteed to be a high one (ie. it could give them Tavares, Hedman, Schenn, etc.). So far it seems the Wild and Gaborik are on the right path to signing an extension.
anthony (Posted 2008-08-26 11:22:07)
gaborik to toronto for a first rounder and stajan. good trade for both!
Sam (Posted 2008-08-26 11:08:30)
Since we're talking about Gaborik I'm just gonna throw this out there. Would you take Gaborik or Hossa? Forget salary and contract terms but consider there playing ability.
daniel (Posted 2008-08-26 06:32:11)
if your right jim i would agree. but you are so wrong man. gaborik is the only thing the wild have. he has nobody to play with to help him out over the years. yeah he has been injured a lot in the past. but he has always produced a point a game average in each and every season he played. that's like calling anze kopitar an underachiever because he couldn't hit 100 points. people call him a phenomenal superstar. he has yet to hit 100 points though. 100 points is tough to get in a season and because of that he is an underachiever, give me a break. send him to LA where he'll be welcomed and wanted. the wild would be nothing without him.
Jim Veenbaas (Posted 2008-08-26 02:17:56)
An underachiever is defined as someone who fails to live up to his potential. Look in the dictionary and you will see Gaborik's face. He has the talent to be a 100+ point player, but the best he's ever done is 83. In the last last five years, he's racked up 83, 57, 66, 40 and 65 points. To top it off, he got 1 stinking point in 6 games during the playoffs last year. I know he's been hurt most of the time, but after awhile you can no longer use that as an excuse. The overachievers always find a way to produce and so far Gaborik has failed to do that.
daniel (Posted 2008-08-26 01:24:32)
How can you guys call Gaborik an underachiever? I don't understand your guys BS. Gaborik has been one fo the faces of the NHL ever since he came into the NHL. I don't know how you people call him an underachiever, when the guy had 42 goals, 41 assists, 83 points at a +17. who ever calls Gaborik an underachiever doesn't know jack diddly about what they are talking about. another thing you people have to look at is who did he really have to play with last season. A washed up Pavol Demitra at a measly 15 goals, 39 assists, 54 points. He doesn't have no one to play with on that team. even if he didn't play with Demitra he played with Rolston. who did better than Demitra but not by much with 59 points and a -1. The guy has no one to help him out. For a guy that has over 40 goals and over 80 points and not having a helper really, in my book that is flat out impressive. some people should do some reseasrch before they just sound flat out stupid. underachiever, you guys are jokes for bashing the best player on the wild. 7th in the league in scoring with no help and your bashing him. for the people that bashed on him i got a question for you people. Did you guys take the special bus to school in the morning?
daniel (Posted 2008-08-26 01:00:06)
Gaborik in LA would be so sweet. they could definetely afford him right now in the position they are in. it owuld be tough to see who would actually go in the deal for Gaborik though. if the kings were to get Gaborik, the people i see that would be possibly be traded for him would be Preissing, Handzus, Calder, Armstrong, or Stoll and a couple draft picks. Although it would be nice to see Gaborik in a Kings uniform, the kings would have to give away draft picks. Something I'm sure that Lombardi wouldn't want to do considering the route he is taking with the club. But something about a phenom like Gaborik could maybe make his toes curl. I love the line of Frolov, Kopitar, and Brown. I think Gaborik would just make O'Sullivan and Handzus on the second line way more noticeable, if they were not to trade Handzus for Gaborik. If they do, which by all means is doubtful cause Handzus is overpaid, the line of O'Sullivan, Stoll, Gaborik doesn't sound that bad either. It would be a great move for LA, and the fans of LA would be very greatful to be watching a team like that. If the Kings picked up Gaborik, I believe they would make the playoffs. He is the Ziggy Palffy the kings have been looking for since they lost him to Pittsburgh a few years back.
t-murder (Posted 2008-08-26 00:57:43)
Gaborik is a great player. He has imense natural talent and obviously the league realizes that. Marian could score 60 plus goals if he didnt get injured. He is worth More than hossa if he plays the whole season. Gaborik would be a god if he played in a big east market.
Robert e Lee (Posted 2008-08-25 23:40:44)
Gees, I can't believe how glib some are about Gaborik. Believe me, we here in L.A. would welcome his speed and scoring capabilities. I'm trying to imagine him on a line centered by Kopi or...heck even Handzus. Awe well, so much for idol dreaming. Besides, the Wild might take that as an opportunity to get even for trading away O'Sullivan? One good thing, he wouldn't be held accountable for playoff stats!
Alexander Jarvo (Posted 2008-08-25 22:59:37)
Gaborik is an asset to any team and I don't understand why Gaborik's play is even an issue. The Wild during post-season were far too focused on defense which obviously hurt Gaborik's natural ability to score goals. p.s. Leafs will never win a cup with the current management with focus on profits for MLSE and it's shareholders.
moonknight (Posted 2008-08-25 21:56:47)
i'm a Leafs fan and sure it'd be great if they got Gaborik but the two stories have nothing to do with each other. anyone with a brain can see that.
steve (Posted 2008-08-25 21:28:12)
Has terrible leaf management made the fans in leaf nation that dumb?
I swear, the things you guys say. And Gabby to the Ducks for an old
overpaid Defensemen? He (Gabs ) will test the market, and sign with a
southeast team, the easiest division to get points, and a team like Atlanta will offer him a nine year deal for 81 mil. He has had it with the
physical west.
Confidential (Posted 2008-08-25 17:59:54)
Canucks should pick up gabby...he is exactly what they are missiing on there team..a natural goal scorer!
crazy canuck (Posted 2008-08-25 15:50:05)
gaboriks goal production in the playoffs dropped because he was shadowed by the opposition and because lemaire wants to play a defensive low scoring game.lemaire made him put goal scoring on the back burner and that is why he wants to test free agency.he is a goal scorer,there aren't too many around.lemaire will have to let him do his thing or lose him.
Rob M (Posted 2008-08-25 15:44:55)
I can't believe that the Wild would even let it get this far. Gaborik is an asset to any team he plays on. Anaheim would be wise to trade Schneider for Gaborik since it doesn't look like Selanne is coming back. Also, even though monkey's could run the Leafs organization better, they should be looking at who they could dump for Gaborik. Or the Wild could do the smart thing and give this guy some money.
moonknight (Posted 2008-08-25 15:05:02)
I think Gaborik needs to be on another team, one that's not so defensively minded and with a good, creative centre to realize his full potential (fifty goals and close to 100 points) I don't think he's an underacheiver, he just seems to be prone to slow starts and he's had some injury issues.
If the Leafs really do get Van Ryn and Zednik for McCabe, i guess it wouldn't be a terrible deal. It's just that Van Ryn has had all those wrist problems...
Chris (Posted 2008-08-25 15:02:38)
Ok maybe you can answer me James. What makes Gaborik an underachiever? Playing on a brutal ,defensive minded Wild team, or scoring 40+ goals and 80+ points
Sickofcrazydreamers (Posted 2008-08-25 15:02:05)
McCabe for Gaborik? why don't the Leafs just toss in Finger and trade for Crosby?
And Gaborik washed up? KD you'd be a worse GM the Milbury, next you'll tell us Ovechkin's season was a fluke.
James Brown (Posted 2008-08-25 14:35:21)
Admittedly, Gaborik has become a perennial underachiever...
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-25 14:07:44)
Crazy Canuck- and right after that trade happens Philly can trade Hatcher to Detroit for Zetterburg.
please (Posted 2008-08-25 13:57:17)
Gaborik just had ONE bad play-off year out of three. Now he's a bum? You guys should ask your mommies for a pizza pop and go back to bed. You drama queens.
Pens Fan (Posted 2008-08-25 13:30:08)
Gaborik should come to the PENS he could either play with Crosby or Malkin!
crazy canuck (Posted 2008-08-25 12:55:10)
toronto should trade mccabe to the wild for gaborek
John H. (Posted 2008-08-25 12:29:13)
It's true: Nagy looks like he caught lightning in a bottle that one year in Phoenix and never played to that level again with the Stars and Kings.
Chris (Posted 2008-08-25 12:25:43)
KD, just out of curiosity how has Gaborik underachieved?
K.D. (Posted 2008-08-25 11:40:29)
Nagy couldn't perform at a high level if he were given 60 minutes a game. Leave the bum in Russia. They'll dump him quick enough and they won't honour his or any other contract. Gaborik should sign there too. Let's rid the NHL of underachieving "superstars".
Conor WingHater Corrigan (Posted 2008-08-25 11:20:36)
HA HA! Let Minnesota make this Gaborik situation as dramitic as they want! Gaborik doesn't perform in the post-season anyway! Win the division again... It won't matter.
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