The Rangers agreed to terms with free agent forward Marian Gaborik today. Gaborik signed a five year deal that averages out to $7.5 million per. I love this move.
A lot of people are talking about the big gamble that the Rangers have taken on due to Gaborik’s inability to stay healthy; and that’s a legitimate concern. However, Glen Sather feels that the gamble is a minor one. In a conference call with the media earlier today Sather reassured the press that he for one is not concerned about Gaborik’s previous injuries. He has been given a clean bill of health and is ready to go. Puck Daddy has a great article on the whole situation.
In short the Rangers swapped Scott Gomez for Marion Gaborik, Chris Higgins, and defensive prospect Ryan McDonagh. Not too shabby.
In 17 games last year Gaborik had 23 points for a points per game average of 1.35. Gomez had 58 points in 77 games for a PPG average of 0.75. Definitely an upgrade.
As Ranger fans we’ve experienced first hand how talented Gaborik is. Remember that 5-goal performance against us a few years ago? Still stings to talk about, doesn’t it?
The most important thing is that the Rangers now have a player that demands the respect of their opponents. I’m not saying that the Rangers were seen as a joke last year, but something tells me not a lot of coaches around the league had butterflies in their stomachs when the Rangers came to town. Gaborik is someone they have to worry about, someone to defend, someone that’ll make their blood race a little bit when he has the puck.
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