Rangers Agree to Terms With Gaborik

[ScottRasner]

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent forward Marian Gaborik.

Gaborik, a two-time NHL All-Star, has reached the 30-goal plateau in five of his eight NHL seasons, including a 42-goal season in 2007-08. He owns Minnesota Wild franchise records in points (437), goals (219), assists (218), power play goals (59), game-winning goals (43), and shots on goal (1,694). He has also posted 112 career multi-point performances. Gaborik, 27, has skated in 502 career regular season contests with Minnesota, registering 219 goals and 218 assists for 437 points, along with 301 penalty minutes.

In 2007-08, Gaborik established career-highs in goals (42), assists (41), points (83), and plus/minus rating (plus-17). His 42 goals and 83 points were both Minnesota franchise records, while his eight game-winning goals tied the franchise record he previously set during the 2002-03 season. He also led the Wild in plus/minus rating and multi-point games (20), and tied for the team lead in power play goals (11). On December 20, he became the first NHL player in 11 years to tally five goals in a game, accomplishing the feat against the Rangers (last – Sergei Fedorov, December 26, 1996). He also added an assist in the contest to record his second career six-point effort.

In addition, Gaborik registered his 400th NHL point with an assist on March 7 at Atlanta, and notched his 200th career goal on March 15 against Los Angeles.

In 2002-03, Gaborik became the first member of the Wild to participate in the NHL All-Star Game, tallying three points (one goal and two assists) in the contest to earn Second Star honors. As a rookie in 2000-01, Gaborik led the Wild in points (36) and shots (179), and tied for the team lead in goals (18). His 179 shots led all NHL rookies, while he finished fifth among league rookies in goals and tied for fifth in points. He also registered his first career goal, the first goal in Wild franchise history, in his NHL debut on October 6, 2000 at Anaheim.

In postseason play, Gaborik has skated in 29 career contests with Minnesota, collecting 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points, along with 18 penalty minutes. He led the Wild to the Western Conference Finals in 2003, registering a team leading nine goals and 17 points in 18 games. His nine goals and 17 points both ranked third in the NHL.

The 6-1, 200-pounder appeared in 17 games with Minnesota last season, registering 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points, along with two penalty minutes. He led the Wild in points for the month of April, recording 10 points (five goals and five assists) in five games. Gaborik posted seven multi-point performances, including a four-point effort on March 25 at the New York Islanders (two goals and two assists). He finished the season riding a seven-game scoring streak, registering 13 points (seven goals and six assists) during the stretch, which included a five-game goal streak from March 29 at Edmonton to April 7 vs. Dallas. The five-game goal scoring streak tied his career-high. The April 7 game against Dallas was also Gaborik’s 500th NHL appearance.

Internationally, Gaborik has represented Slovakia in several major tournaments. Most recently, he skated for his native country at the 2007 World Championships, registering a team-high five goals and 11 points in six games. In 2006, he made his Olymipic debut for Slovakia at the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, collecting seven points (three goals and four assists) in six games.

The Trencin, Slovakia native was originally Minnesota’s first round choice, third overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

[clydefrog]

how do phily and ny keep adding players? they have to be over the cap by now...

[nyrpack]

if its true i love it, just saw it , love my rangers

[Cat Smasher]

By getting rid of Gomez. This allows Gaborik. Simple math right? Enjoy the wet-nap.

[ScottRasner]

Originally Posted by nyrpack

if its true i love it

Oh its true, and holy fuk is the eastern confrence good!

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by clydefrog

how do phily and ny keep adding players? they have to be over the cap by now...

I don't think Gabby puts them over the cap but all NHL teams can go over the cap during the offseason as long as they trim back down to under the cap by the time the season starts.

[Habs # 1]

For the Rangers sake I hope he stays healthy...

[clydefrog]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

By getting rid of Gomez. This allows Gaborik. Simple math right? Enjoy the wet-nap.

ok i guess i deserved that one...forgot how much Gomez made.

[NickDoh]

i guess the kings are down to havlat, and any rumored numbers on that have been absurd so far...

[pesadillamal]

Wow. I know there are a lot of upset Ranger fans, but as much as I loved Colton, if Neil accepts the best offer he got, Sather has done an amazing job IMO. Thank you Scott for the great news. I was so affraid they were going to get Heatley.

[Godly_goon]

WAIT sportsnet just said 7.5 not 5.75

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by clydefrog

ok i guess i deserved that one...forgot how much Gomez made.

No no, wasn't at you. lol sooo defensive. Anyways I was just looking, before the Gaborik deal, NY still has 23.9 million.

[PuckHogs29]

Originally Posted by pesadillamal

Wow. I know there are a lot of upset Ranger fans, but as much as I loved Colton, if Neil accepts the best offer he got, Sather has done an amazing job IMO. Thank you Scott for the great news. I was so affraid they were going to get Heatley.

It could turn out to be a real good signing as long as Gaborik stays healthy, if I were a Ranger fan that'd be my big concern.

[Godly_goon]

yep i called it 7.5 mill


to much IMO

[skacore]

7.5/year...brutal!