Lyle Richardson on Gabby

Does anyone like or see where this story is going? I don't like it and I blame the GM of the Minnesota Wild. If Gabby is allowed to walk it is time for Tom Lynn and Doug Risebrough both should be shown the door because they have had a rough and horrible off season.

• Right winger Marian Gaborik recently said he intends to focus on his game and leave his current contract talks with the Minnesota Wild to his agent.

Wild management hopes to re-sign Gaborik, but assistant GM Tom Lynn has suggested the club will consider trade options if talks reach an impasse.

It’s been speculated the Wild won’t let the Gaborik talks drag on throughout the year and become a distraction, which, of course, has led to Internet rumors of him being dealt by the start of the season if unsigned by then.

Don’t count on it. The Wild may not want to face the same distraction the Atlanta Thrashers did last season with Marian Hossa’s contract status, but they certainly won’t jump the gun that soon.

Best bet is the Wild starts shopping Gaborik by December at the earliest if talks are still stalled at that point.