Comments on: Plethora of not much stuff regarding Gaborik, Parrish, Foster and Walz

By: Charley Walters

Charley Walters — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:59:11 +0000

I don’t even have the wrong insight on the Gaborik situation but I can tell you this: the Wild’s minor league broadcast talent just took a step back:
Former Augsburg College goaltender Jason Shaver, 35, grandson of retired hall of fame former North Stars play-by-play voice Al Shaver and son of Gophers hockey play-by-play voice Wally Shaver, has been hired to do play-by-play for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. Last season, Jason broadcast for the Wild’s Houston Aeros team

By: ms.conduct

ms.conduct — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:03:21 +0000

*The team has been winning but not winning playoff rounds.*

Surely he accepts some of the blame for that this past season with his mega-disappearing act. Whether it was his hip bothering him or whatever, surely he sees that we can’t have our top scorer so quiet.

I highly doubt they spent 4 hours showing him stats. That was just the best card they had to play, so that’s the one they’re talking about. They’re going well out of their way to make sure we all know they’re trying.

Today’s prediction? Gabby’s a goner.

By: sunshine

sunshine — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:50:32 +0000

And my last point… IMO, for Gaborik, its less about Lemaire and more about where the team is heading and the perception that the Wild can’t attract big name FA. Within the next two seasons, Lemaire will likely retire and will be a non-factor. He might stay with the team on a consulting basis but will still be a non-factor.

By: sunshine

sunshine — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:33:04 +0000

Also feeding these rumors are that contract talks with Gaborik has not been the easiest either. They have been holdouts and going down to the wire for filing arbitration. Its drama by itself.

By: sunshine

sunshine — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:31:01 +0000

In 2006, his last contract talks, it was more clear that Gaborik wanted out because he was tired of losing and the owner/mgmt of not spending money to bring in good players. And he wasn’t afraid to air it. He also wanted to play for a playoff/cup contender team.

This time around, its less clear about Gaborik’s intentions. The team has been winning but not winning playoff rounds. He might be willing to chance it with the Wild or he might go to teams where their division is not quite a battle as the NW.

I think it was smart of the Wild to gauge his feelings about where he saw himself in the next 5 years. Gaborik is a totally different animal than say Iginla or Lecavalier or even Ovechkin. Also, different from Burns, PMB and Koivu. I felt strongly that PMB would re-sign but he had alot of concerns. With these guys, there is less doubt about them wanting to stay with their teams.

Gaborik being so aloof and he doesn’t seem to have roots in the community. The other guys seem to have built those roots in their community. He’s been here 8 years but fans don’t really get a good sense of who he is. We seem to “know” Burns, Koivu, Rolston, and some of the other players. Gaborik — shrug your shoulders and sigh loudly.

I think his personality and the revelations of 2006 contract talks help feed into the rumors that he wants out.

I was listening to a Parrish interview on the Matt Thomas show and Thomas asked Parrish about his thoughts about Gaborik re-signing. Parrish said that he hasn’t talked to Gaborik about it but said that Gabby has expressed his like for Minnesota, the team, and playing at the X. However, all that matters zilch. Its cliche talk from all the players.

By: InTheNet

InTheNet — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:01:42 +0000

The purpose and discussion points of that meeting reveal that the rumors about Gaborik not wanting to resign with the Wild were true. The question now is, were their stats and indepth discussions on team management give Gaborik a reason to reconsider. DL seems to have focused on the “play for an eastern team” issue and on the “poor team roster management” concern.

Seems the fan base has had a good grasp of this situation. The meeting and time to reconsider before an offer is made is telling. Hopefully they will tell us it worked and Gaborik has signed a major extension.