Scouting the Free Agents: Marian Gaborik
by Joe Fortunato on May 13, 2009 6:00 AM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
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PrintIn the second edition of "Scouting the Free Agents" we are going to look at one of the biggest question marks of the off-season: Marian Gaborik. The 27 year old Minnesota Wild right winger is going to draw a lot of attention, mainly because of his scoring prowess. A lot of teams can use his skill, but is he worth the risk?
Let's start with the positives. Gaborik, when healthy, is certainty one of the best scorers in the league. He has scored 30 or more goals 5 times in his 8 year NHL tenure; he has notched 40 once. Probably the most impressive stat is how quickly he scored his goals. In 2006-2007 he scored 30 goals and 27 assists for 57 points in 48 games. Last year, although he only played in 17 games, he scored 13 goals and added 10 assists. The man is quite obviously a point machine. If you need more evidence of his goal scoring ability: you all may remember his little five goal outburst against the Rangers two years ago. He is a playoff performer as well. In 29 playoff games he has 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points. In 2003 he has 9 goals and 8 assists in 18 playoff games, so he doesn't disappear when it counts.
Now onto the negatives. Gaborik is probably the definition of injury prone. Since the lockout he has played in 207 of a possible 328 games. This past regular season he only dressed for 17 games. Let me share with you a few of the big injuries on TSN.CA's injury list for Gaborik.
- March 09: Missed 38 games (hip surgery)
- December 08: Groin injury sidelined indefinitely
- December 08: Missed 27 games (back injury)
- January 07: Missed 34 games (Groin Strain)
- October 06: Groin injury sidelined indefinitely
Okay so here is where you get to play GM. Do you take the risk on a guy who will probably command upwards of 6 million a year (I'm low balling because he was injured all of his contract year) but has a definite scoring touch? Or do you let him walk to another team even though you need all the power play help you can get? I think that because of his injury's he might sign for about 6 million a year. Can the Rangers afford to let a 40 goal scorer who is only signing a 6 million dollar contract walk? What would you do in this situation (notice how I'm staying neutral)? Post your thoughts in the comments below and let the discussions begin!
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While th upside to this is he is exactly what we need, the question is the injuries. As listed he has had two groin injuries, which if you’ve had one takes time to heal. I am not sure what the back injury was but since it is in the groin injury timeframe it is probably related. I beleive these injuries are avoided with peoper preperation..ie stretching, heat therapy etc.. Look at Jose Reyes of the Mets with his groin injuries early on, the trainer put him on a stretching routine and he has been fairly injury free.
As for the contract, offer $5m with bonus clauses for games played and scoring..similiar to Concussion Boy had years ago. In NY he would be a focal point and garnber interest from the Russain population here. And since we already invested heavily in Gomez you need to give him a natural scorer to work with. I would love Kovalchuk, but parting with so many youngsters would hurt the current lineup and we aren’t exactly knocking on the door for the Cup, so we need the balance.To do this they need to eat Reddens contract..hell pay him the money in Hartford, you paid Marbury almost as much in one year that Reddens remaining 5 years has.
that's a nice thought
but the reason that marbury didn’t play for a year is completely different. Marbury’s poison. redden’s just going downhill. in my opinion, there is no way he’ll spend a year in hartford. buy him out if anything.
now about gaborik, i say pass – again :). its becoming clearer and clearer to me that maybe there is no UFA way out from this situation here. i’m afraid that a big signing will hurt our young core more than it would help the team. i’m starting to think that maybe, just maybe, a lengthy (2-3 years) team rehab that’s system focused rather than star focused. i mean lets be honest here. give me one good contract over $3m we’ve had since the lockout. (jags?) but who am i kidding? this is NY, no one has time or patience. not us (the fans), not the GM, and definitely not the owner…
hey Gaborik might happen, and i cross my fingers that we don’t screw this up.
lastly, the only team in the conf. finals right now has havlat, campbell, and a bunch of extremely talented kids that just destroyed one of the best goalies in the league. this game is changing…
by #17ToTheRafters on May 13, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions
I agree that there might not be a UFA solution.
Maybe Antropov and Zherdev would be enough, along with Grachev or Anisimov. But if Gaborik would put his name down for 2 or 3 years at 6 million per, i say give him a shot. When he does play he is dominant.
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by Joe Fortunato on May 13, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
i'd love to give gabroik a shot
He’s very talented and a natural goal scorer – exactly what we’re looking for
i just don’t trust sather to do this RIGHT.
by #17ToTheRafters on May 13, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Great Player
I just don’t know cuz of the injuries.
They are so bad that even when the guy is in a contract year.
Don’t players who are injury prone with exceptional talent usually find a way to be injury free in their contract years???
Id love to have him, but the cost and his injury history should make the Rangers stay away.
Gabby is worth the shot...
Taking a shot with Gaborik is well worth the gamble. The open market will only give him 5-6 million and only for a three year deal at most. I think with the upside he has that is well worth it. Imagine him on a line with Gomez and Avery….i like it. Gomez to set-up Gabby and Avery to piss off the other goalie and pick up the garbage left around the net.
It’s not like we have a chance at getting Hossa and I would not give up our future on Kovalchuk unless we are 100% sure the prospects can make the jump and even be 75% as good as the roster players they replace.
Even 2 years with a ...
third year player option would be fine … Just none of this 8 year 60 million crap
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by Joe Fortunato on May 13, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Eric Lindros?
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 14, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
He's a lot younger than
Pavel Bure, and a whole lot less washed up that Bure and Lindros.
I still don’t want him tho.
by FreeBradshaw on May 14, 2009 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
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