Senators interested in Gaborik?

[Phil The Thrill]

Minneapolis — Take it for what it’s worth, but there is some talk — well, more like a murmur, really — that the Ottawa Senators have some interest in trading for Marian Gaborik of the New York Rangers.

It’s a bit off the radar, considering that the Senators aren’t expected to be come close to the $64 million salary cap and that Gaborik still has three years and $22.5 million remaining on his contract. If he ever came to the Senators, he would be the highest paid player on the team, at $7.5 million per year.

Yet if the Rangers were willing to take a significant salary back in return, would it be an easier contract to stomach? What if the Rangers were willing to take defenceman Filip Kuba, who is scheduled to make $3.7 million next season. Kuba and Rangers coach John Tortorella have a connection going back to their days together with the Tampa Bay Lightning. By unloading Kuba, the Senators would also clear up room on their blueline. Sergei Gonchar, Chris Phillips, Erik Karlsson, Brian Lee, Matt Carkner and David Rundblad are all expected to be in the lineup next season. And then there’s rookie Jared Cowen, who appears ready for the NHL following a strong season in junior and with Binghamton in the playoffs.

Gaborik is a supremely gifted winger, capable of owning any game he plays, but his character has been questioned in both New York and Minnesota, where his career began. If he ever came to Ottawa, he would be paired with Jason Spezza.

Take all of it with a grain of salt. At this point, it’s nothing more than an intriguing rumour — the kind of thing that happens when GM’s, coaches, agents and reporters all mingle in hotel lobbies, making small talk.

http://www.senatorsextra.com/main/gabbing-about-gaborik/

 

[The Guid]

Wouldn't be so terrible for either team.

 

[Rios15]

In the wrong division forum but anyways, would be a great asset for both teams. Kuba's experience with Tortorella with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the free up of cap space for the Rangers with this deal would be great for the Rangers, although it's not like freeing up cap room is so great when you're talking about such an elite goal scorer here. As for the Senators, they can use another forward to replace the goal scoring the team used to have with Heatley, and replenish that good-ol trio the Sens had with Spezza-Heatley-Alfredsson. Alfredsson is getting older though :/

 

[The Guid]

They'd lose Gaborik but I think they'd then try to use that money to sign Richards so they'd replace his offense.

 

[NV]

Gaborik's inconsistency and prone for injury makes it so it wouldn't be terrible to deal him. But someone will have to be acquired to bring some offensive help, like a Brad Richards.

 

[Mooche]

Gaborik's inconsistency and prone for injury makes it so it wouldn't be terrible to deal him. But someone will have to be acquired to bring some offensive help, like a Brad Richards.

Marion always seems to be knicked up and hurt, and that's just gotta be a major blow for a team like the Rangers who need a guy like that who can puck in the puck in the net to score. I think if they can move him in a proper deal I'd jump all over that and want to make that happen.

 

[NV]

Marion always seems to be knicked up and hurt, and that's just gotta be a major blow for a team like the Rangers who need a guy like that who can puck in the puck in the net to score. I think if they can move him in a proper deal I'd jump all over that and want to make that happen.

Exactly, when he's hurt it pretty much cripples the entire offense, because all that's left is a bunch of hard working grinders who if get hot can have the ability to score. Gaborik's the only natural scorer on the team, but he's always hurt.

 

[playmaker7]

I'd like that move if the senators were able to do it because no matter how prone Gabby is, his talent outweighs that...until he gets hurt that is. If he's on the ice then he's a great addition to the team, he just needs to stay healthy.