John Grigg at The Hockey News explores the worst 2009 UFA signings and says the Rangers signing Marian Gaborik is at the top of the list...1. Marian Gaborik, LW, New York Rangers – five years, $37.5 million
After managing to move one onerous contract out of town (Scott Gomez), GM Glen Sather simply took on another. Gaborik will count for $7.5 million towards the cap (tied for seventh in the league), more than any other player signed this summer. Unfortunately for Rangers fans, you can expect him to not put up numbers worthy of such a cap hit. Gaborik will be a point-per-game player, but expect that to mean 60 points or so on average. He’s electric on the ice, but can’t stay healthy. Even more discouraging, Gaborik demonstrated a me-first attitude while working to get back to the battling-for-the-playoffs Wild when he admitted to not watching Minnesota games and worrying only about his return. A health risk and a seemingly selfish player; not a good mix.
...this is without a doubt a high risk, high reward signing for the Rangers, but my gut says that it's going to work out for them.
8 comments:
This doesn't surprise me the Rangers are the most hated team in hockey..I think most ranger fans will agree with me....so F$$k the Canadian pressreinelda3521
I don't see how this contract is worse than the Chris Pronger contract, which evidently will continue to count against the cap even if he retires. Maybe because he wasn't a UFA it didn't apply.
And Hossa's 12 year deal? Especially on a team full of young, RFA stars who will need huge contracts in the next few years?
It's no secret that Gaborik has had injury problems, but at least it is only for 5 years. If it was 9 or 10, then yes, it would be by far the worst. But for what it is, I am pleased and convinced it is by no means the worst.
The Rangers need a natural leader on the team - a guy who can pull all the elements together and make the players believe in winning a cup. Messier had this ability - no one has since. Try as we might in the last few seasons we ended up standing around watching Henrik stand on his head just to keep us in the game. It's not enough and our defense is still in tatters.
If the Rangers want to win a cup they need to build a team and not just sign marque players and hope for the best. Gaborik is just more of the same from Sather - he just wants to fill the seats in the Garden. Sather needs to go. Hire Messier as the GM and let him build a team. Then we win a cup!
This blog is very good but quoting anything 'the hockey news' has to say is definitely a bad practice. They know very little about hockey.
They lose track of what player is on what team midway through articles (ala copy and paste from previous years articles).
Gaborik was the best UFA player available and worth the risk versus reward.
"(tied for seventh in the league)" Give me a break for a near #1 hockey market (aka a big city) New York in theory should have some of the best, most expensive guys...and this guy lists tied for 7th as a big deal.
Nice photo select of Gaborik for this post.
Pronger's contract is way worse...his contract ends AFTER his publicly announced retirement date...and 12 f'n years on one team? That's not worse than Gaborik? Lame, typical anti NYR drivel.
yes, it's risky because of his injury history...but obviously this f-ing chochbag hasn't see a gaborik highlight reel. He's easily a top 5 finisher, 1-on-1 playmaker, game-changer in the sport. so long as he's healthy during the playoffs; you can count on the rangers being there even if he needs a break during the regular season.
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