Gaborik is the Key

It has never been a question of talent with Marian Gaborik. Throughout his days in Minnesota, he was always looked at as one of the elite skaters in the NHL. Gaborik, a former third overall pick, instantly established himself as a goal scorer in the league.

While he debuted with 18 goals in his rookie season, Gaborik scored 30 in each of his next two campaigns. He went down to 18 once again in 2003-04, but that also is because there was some contract disputes that led to him only playing in 65 games for the Wild that year. Gaborik would score 30 two more times before having his career year in 2007-08. He scored 42 goals and had 83 points, but he’s had to deal with some adversity, especially when it comes to his health.

Gaborik has had a problematic groin that held him to 48 games in 2005-06. He still managed to score 30 goals, which is one heck of a feat. On December 20, 2007, Gaborik became the first player in 11 years to have five goal in a game, and it was against the Rangers.

The latest injury concern has to do with his hip, which he had surgically repaired in January. He only played in 17 games, where he scored 13 goals and had 23 points, and the Rangers are holding their breath in hope that they didn’t make a mistake when they decided to give him $37.5 million over five years.

If this guy is healthy, there are many guys on the Rangers’ roster who stand to have a big boost in their numbers. Gaborik could be the closest thing we have had to Jaromir Jagr. That means that the other guys, such as Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan, Chris Higgins and others should have plenty of opportunities to score, but finishing the deal has always been this team’s biggest problem.

It’s simple. Gaborik is a guy who is capable of wreaking havoc. We have seen him do it to the Rangers. I am sure that there is nobody who is more happy to see Gaborik on the Rangers than Henrik Lundqvist. He now gets the chance to celebrate when Gaborik scores rather than hearing the disappointment music that plays in the Garden.

It’s all a matter of keeping him healthy. This guy may be one of the most impactful players that we’ve seen on the Rangers in many years. Sadly, there is also the possibility that he could be a bust, although I would think be best if we didn’t think that way.

I hate to rest so much pressure on the shoulders of one guy.