THE DAY HAS COME! Gaborik Hurt...

Come on... we all knew it was going to happen. We(ranger fans) just didn't want it to happen.

Marian Gaborik unfortunately left the ice last night during the third period of Rangers victory over the Coyotes.

But what do the Rangers do now? Their leading scorer, on the shelf possibly. Before we all jump off the ledge lets look at some options and/or possibilities of whats to come.

1. Nothing is wrong! This would be the best thing in the world for the Rangers. A days rest to let his banged up "lower body injury" heal, and Gabby comes back and destroys the Isles. Lets be honest, ranger fans want their new toy to play against their hated rival Islanders. The Islanders are going to show up with an impressive record of 1-4-5! I honestly don't think you can lose that many games in OT or shoot-out if you tried to. But somehow the islanders have that amazing record, and are going to show their new toy, jon tavares off to the rangers. Either way this story line is about as important to the world as what i ate for lunch. What is important would be gaborik showing he is fine and not missing a game showing he is over his injury woes of the past, even if this isnt related to his hips, groin, or torso...

2. Gaborik is Injured... F***!

Now what? well, one man does not make the team right? So his teammates have to pick up the slack. People like Chris Higgins can no longer be a spectator on the bench and watch his teammates put up stats that get the ladies. Higgins, NEEDS to start making things happen. Not just Higgins, but Callahan, who signed a 2mill contract in the offseason needs to show he was worth it. No one questions his effort. Its his sudden lack of production that needs to wake up. and the third rostered player that needs to produce a little more is mr drury. Without gabby, Drury needs to pull this team together and tell them its going to be alright. Netting a few clutch goals wouldn't hurt this either, but when a team loses its biggest threat its time for someone else to step up, and it should be the captains job to help get people there.

3. prospects

Right now they called up PA Parenteau. He is doing a fine job in the AHL this season... #1 in goals scored. Tied for the lead in points... But he has been a career AHLer. Obviously as a rangers fan i wouldn't mind that success to translate into NHL success but that hasn't happened yet for the 26 year old. He is a good fit for this squad and has played well in the preseason with the big club. if Gabby should be out for an extended period of time, maybe Torts puts him in for a good long look. If he is brought up to the Rangers i wouldnt want to see him waste time on the third or 4th line with 10 minutes a game. Hes on a roll and confidence is up. Give him the top 6 minutes we waste on guys who are NOT producing. Whats the worst that can happen there? He doesnt get the job done? Well either are a few other people who are occupying those minutes right now. Grachev is the same deal with parenteau. Dont bring him up unless you plan on using him. As it stands, i dont like seeing Anisimov waste his time on the 4th line. I also dont think alot of these guys are 100% NHL ready. They need to get used to the banging and pace of the NHL game.  Lots of potential from the youth, but is it ready for harvest if Gabby goes down? i dont think 100% ready but ALMOST.

4. IF gabby is hurt, can the team play the same without him? Will players like Del Zotto, Kotalik, and Prospal continue to score at the suprising rate they have? or is it all dependent on the health of marian gaborik?

5. Don't Jump!... yet.

Its early, and sometimes we have to remind ourselves that its better to let a star player rest a few games and get 100% healthy, rather than play at 50% health and get more hurt and be out for a longer period of time. Lets all just cross our fingers and wish for the best. we are playng the islanders and Marian's former team the Minnesota Wild in our next to games. You can bet your ass that Marian wants to play against his former team... who wouldnt?

What other options or scenarios are there? Trade? rub a lucky rabbits foot for success?! jump off the ledge and hope we grow wings after we realize what a horrible decision it was to jump? Injuries happen, it just sucks when it happens to the guy who everyone says was going to get injured, and who is youre hands down best player.(besides our goalie)