Gaborik to Russia?

Here is a rumor that I find very disturbing. If this happens I am going very disappointed in Doug Risebrough, because contrary to what the so called geniuses say, Gabby is worth the money he is going to be asking for, and probably more. The fair market value is going to determine his worth as well. What do you think the Wild look like without Gabby? They would look like a horse bleep team playing in a half empty building.

In my opinion I think Gaborik is worth every bit of 8-9 million a year and possibly more, the Wild have no one else that can match his offensive skills. What is Gabby is worth to the Wild if he walks away from the team? That is a night mare in the making. The Wild GM must make a very serious attempt in signing Marian Gaborik. Maybe there is a reason Hossa didn't want to play for the Wild.

Easily the most alarming rumor is the one from the New York Times’ hockey blog that reported that Marian Gaborik’s agent was sort of out hunting for interest from Russian Superleague teams. Such an action may have seemed rather laughable; but with Russia enjoying the wealth of oil dollars fueling its pro hockey league ambitions they shocked more than a few when they brought Jaromir Jagr to Avangard Omsk. Why? Russian teams often to pay any taxes on the contracts allowing their star players to potentially make more than they would in the NHL. For years European leagues have felt picked on by the NHL but with a weakening U.S. dollar some of the European leagues are striking back and hoping to ’steal’ back talent. You didn’t think the Russian League was just going to stop by simply bringing in Branko Radivojevic and Chris Simon did you?

The Russian threat is a realistic one, and while Gaborik may not enjoy playing in front of as big of audiences in Russia as he would in North America the KHL would likely make a very lucrative offer towards him that perhaps the Wild cannot match. Even if this scouting for potential interest is simply a precaution it is one the Wild must take seriously.

Perhaps that is why Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough has gone to Europe, to Slovakia to ‘talk’ with his star player. You can be assured he’s not just going over there to have a cup of coffee at the Starbucks in Trencin. The team is hoping to sign him to an extension which would pay him a salary commensurate with the top players in the league like Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and Vincent Lecavalier. This deal is said to be in the realm of around $8.5 million per season. Let’s hope the Wild’s plan to get a deal done with Gaborik isn’t just a rumor!