Gaborik’s agent: Gaborik not going to Russia, pleased with meeting with Wild
Posted on August 18th, 2008 – 1:57 PMBy Michael Russo
Here’s the story for tomorrow’s paper, but to clear up one misconception: Although it would be one endless distraction, negotiations with Marian Gaborik can continue throughout the season if it doesn’t get done prior. The “stop” period that calls for negotiations to resume after Jan. 1 is only for guys on one-year deals, hence the reason last season why the Wild couldn’t talk to P-M Bouchard and Nick Schultz until after then.
But Gaborik’s in the end of a multi-year deal.
While it’s still uncertain whether the Wild will be able to work out an extension with its all-time leading scorer, Marian Gaborik’s agent said Monday that last week’s four-hour dinner meeting between Gaborik and Wild management may pay dividends.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for how they handled that,” agent Ron Salcer said of the meeting between Gaborik, GM Doug Risebrough and assistant GM Tom Lynn in Slovakia.
“I can tell you, after talking to Marian, it made him feel really good the way they shared everything with him about the team and the future. I thought it was a smart move on their behalf. It was a very beneficial thing they did.”
Salcer said at the very least Gaborik plans to fulfill his contract with the Wild this season. Salcer denied a report in the Russian newspaper, Sports-Express, that quoted Spartak Moscow President Nikolai Tischenko as saying he’s had conversations with “Gaborik’s agent” about the star playing for Spartak.
“I don’t know anything about that. I’ve had no conversations [with any team is Russia about Gaborik],” Salcer said. “Marian has a year left on his contract with the Wild, and he’s working hard and feeling good. He says he’s coming to camp in the best shape he’s ever been in.
“After that, we’ll see where things go from there.”
With Gaborik one year from unrestricted free agency, the Wild plans to offer Gaborik an extension ranging in the $8.5 million range annually. Gaborik will make $7.5 million this season. Negotiations haven’t begun; Salcer returned over the weekend from a month out of the country.
If the Wild isn’t able to extend Gaborik’s contract prior to the season (Oct. 11 against Boston), it would be permitted to continue negotiations throughout the season. However, because of the distraction that could create and the risk of injury to Gaborik, the Wild may be forced to investigate trade options if there’s a stalemate.
Asked if Gaborik is willing to commit to the Wild long-term, Salcer said, “My answer to that is Marian’s enjoyed a great career there in Minny. He’s made no decisions in that regard yet. He has a year left on his contract and he plans to honor that contract. We’ll see how things fall together from there.
“We’re going to listen to anything the Wild have to say. The Wild have been a great organization for Marian and we respect them greatly.”
62 Responses to "Gaborik’s agent: Gaborik not going to Russia, pleased with meeting with Wild"
Could this be another reason why they held off giving Gaborik a contract? They knew his agent was going to be out of the country.
rolls eyes.
Agents definitely know how to say nothing in a lot of words.
Agents definitely know how to say nothing in a lot of words.
A lot of agents have the ability to make statements that are full of words and with little content, but they are content to state what’s in the best interest of the players they represent, which may or may not be something definitive.
Agents definitely know how to say nothing in a lot of words.
‘Cuz they’re usually lawyers or at least have a law background…
Like the saying goes “There’s nothing wrong with having nothing to say - unless you insist on saying it.”
I know the focus in Russoville is Gaborik but did anyone hear about Ray Whitney?
The guy had foot surgery on Friday and will be out at least three months.
Someone should probably check on KiPA to make sure he is still with us.
Couple other quick notes, trade rumors are flying about Jussi Jokinen. Apparently the Lighting have to shed some salary quickly.
Here is a fun gimmick - Curtis Sanford is letting the fans design the paint job for his helmet.
http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=23370
I thought I might submit the following for consideration:
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/clipart/Food/images/sieve_jpg.jpg
“Agents definitely know how to say nothing in a lot of words.”
Was Obama an agent?
Kari keep politics out of this place!
Politicians are even better than agents about saying alot of nothing.
Also most politicians were once lawyers or at least obtained a law degree.
Going back to last thread, tying up cash now to secure Gabby for 5 years would be a steal. Look at the dollars that some players got this offseason. Hell, look at the dollars Inglewood Jack got. Gotta believe at the end of that contract he is going to be considered one of the most underpaid blueliners in the league. $8.35 million a year for Gabby may look like a lot today, but on Aug. 18, 2012 he may look like a real bargain.
I’ve never heard of Obama. Who does he play for? Oh, is he that new center that the Sabres just signed? I heard he’s a good playmaker, but needs to learn that it’s ok to shoot the puck.
DB, that’s a good point. Unless the salary cap shrinks, the cap will only grow and while 8.5 might be a big percentage of the total payroll in 09-10, in 12-13, it would be a smaller percentage of said payroll.
Based on that argument, I’d even be comfortable with 9M/yr.
I don’t know about $9 million. That’s pushing it.
There’s that tipping point where you are going from reasonable to crazy. $9 million is crazy money.
Gabby’s gone after 2008-09 season.
He will honor the year left on his contract just like his agent advised and they will carefully dance away from the negotiations all season long, just in time for free agency to come along.
Gabby’s tired of being held back here, despite the meeting where the top brass showed him his “numbers”.
He’s eager to play in a new system with some old friends.
I don’t buy it Corey. The Wild will trade Gabs so that his doesn’t turn into a carbon copy of the Hossa situation last year.
I don’t, however, think it’ll come to that. He’ll re-sign.
COREY
IS THAT WHAT MARION TOLD YOU THE LAST TIME YOU WENT OUT FOR A FEW BREWSKI’S?
Interesting fact from the Pio courtesy of TL: Gaborik #1 in goals per minute on ice.
[…] (more…) […]
sunshine, Russo had that in his column days ago. Pio just reading the Don and picking up scraps. My question was if Gabby was killing penalties, how far would he fall on that list. I’m sure there are others that do kill penalties on that list that would jump over him in the rankings.
Gato - Russo’s article had Gabby at no. 1 in even-strength goals per minute played and second in goals per 60 mins.
I must have skipped over that stat, then.
In the last two years, Gaborik has had the most PK minutes at 108 minutes. Heatley second with 97 minutes. Ovie and Kolvachuck barely had any PK minutes — registering less than 30 minutes each.
Kari Takko - you’re a leper to society. You don’t hear the words from Obama because you’re just not listening. Maybe if you’d take life a little seriously and focus on something other than Hockey, no offense Michael Russo, you’d hear what he has to say. We’re in the midst of a huge recession, jobs are hard to find, gas prices are out of control - which definitely affects you since you pump my gas - mortgages are defaulted, etc.etc. If you don’t like Obama, that’s fine, but don’t speak badly about a guy based on what you hear through a friend of a friend. Purchase cable, read the NEWS (not only sports) and OPEN YOUR EYES.
Just kidding, boyo. Peace, love and Obamaness.
Ugh.
Um. So, how ’bout that Wild. Those Wild? Them Wilds?
For reals, how them Wild?
Anybody have any info about how Parrish’s fundraiser and gold tournament go this weekend?
I saw that the Wild is hosting their annual Golf outing for corporate sponsors and suite holders on Sept. 17. There is even a 20 second video on Wild TV. They must have cut out Voros and Fedoruk because it was clear they taped it before the Summer Bash.
You know what makes me laugh? When they put on the Summer bash and people were convinced it was a 100% guaranty that Voros and Fedoruk would be returning because they were invited. I just thought that was funny.
I admit I was one of those folks. It just seem too strange for Fedoruk and Voros to do the tour and then not get signed. False advertising in some sense.
Those guys left of their own accord didn’t they?
Me, too, Sunshine. Color me … what? Romantic? Gullible? I dunno. Next year I’ll know not to read anything into anything, I guess. This is why I get Ms. Conduct on the back of my jersey and not a player.
Well I don’t mean to be a jackass about it. The thing is they are great guys but lets be honest they didn’t exactly make a TON of money playing this year so it’s just some extra change for the wallet. Doesn’t mean a thing as far as contract status. And yes I’m pretty sure we made offers but both made it clear they would test the market as they both wanted hefty raises.
Lucky — you are not being a jackass.
We are just lamenting on the fact that we read too much into the situation. (Big Sigh) Oh well…
Saw on the Wild webpage that Irmen and Pouliot will be signing autographs at the State Fair. I am not taking this to mean that Irmen has a guaranteed spot on the Wild. 
The tv schedule is out, too. 78 games will be on TV.
I know someone who was at the Parrish event both Friday night and Saturday. Said the auction/dance brought in big bucks, and the golf event at Rush Creek was terrific. I guess every golfer got a gift bag that had things like a pair of Crocs, a pair of hockey gloves, a dozen Callaway balls, etc.
Did anyone else see Parrish on Fox9 last night? Really good interview and he said he was disappointed that it didn’t work out, but the fans here were great.
I guess Foster was there Friday night and still walking with a pretty noticable limp.
Goalieguy and El Gato: I saw an interview on Friday night. They must have ran the interview twice. EG and I were talking about the interview in the last blog.
Its good to read that Kurtis was walking, even with a limp. It sounds like he was walking without a cane, right?
There wasn’t one hint that Gabby would like to stay here in his agent’s comment. At least before Rolston left he said he would like to stay if it worked out.
Everything the agent said was past tense. Let’s trade him and get someone (or more) who wants to be here. The rest of the team, as well as the coach, would appreciate it.
Hey kids -
For those of you who weren’t pleased with how agentspoliticianslawyers say so little with so many words, think of whether you would have been satisfied with “NO COMMENT.” Not to say it doesn’t frustrate me too at times (especially with the politicians) but when you have to say SOMETHING, I can’t see myself doing any better necessarily.
there’s an article on Gaborik’s situation. No new info, but it’s cool to see the Wild get some attention.
BTW the TSN site is by far the best I’ve found for NHL coverage. Please share if you know of other good/better sites.
Did we get resolution on them/those/that Wild? I’d really like to know…
stay cool out there -
“Saw on the Wild webpage that Irmen and Pouliot will be signing autographs at the State Fair. I am not taking this to mean that Irmen has a guaranteed spot on the Wild.”
Good sunshine we don’t want to give Ms.C a massive stress induced heartattack!
Oh no, I KNOW better than that. I do think it’s kinda funny because the Sid’s of the world ARE going to read into it and think Danny’s gonna be a Wild sweater this year, doncha know. Ya betcha. (Did I do that right?)
Kinda surprised Pouly is going though. I didn’t think he was staying in Minny to train this summer. Figured it would be Clutterbuck or Shep or Burns or one of those guys who’s local right now. Maybe it’s a “Meet the Next Big Thing” thing.
Pouliot is not expected to appear until 8/31 so he still has some time to get into town.
Goalieguy: Can you ask your friend if Koivu and Gaborik were at Parrish’s evens? Its a month before training camp so I am sure they want to come in early, rest, and get themselves acclimated.
Maybe we should make it legal for Gabby to drive his race car on the streets of MN? That should make him want a new contract!
Sunshine - The one I saw last night was done Saturday, I think, because it looked like he was sitting at Rush Creek. Were there two different ones?
First, I apologize for the long post but I thought I would share the Strib’s article about Gaborik and the Wild’s debut in the NHL in Anaheim back in October 2000. It kind of seemed fitting for this moment of instability of Gaborik’s future with the team.
*********
Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)
October 6, 2000, Friday, Metro Edition
Game on;
The Wild makes its NHL debut tonight, and it will be more than a special night for rookie Marian Gaborik, the third overall choice in the NHL draft.
Tom Jones; Staff Writer
DATELINE: Anaheim, Calif.
No more buildup. No more anticipation. No more waiting. This is it. Tonight’s the night. The dream becomes reality _ for both.
Together, they meet the NHL head on for the first time.
There’s the Wild, the state’s first NHL team in seven years. And there’s a quiet, polite, mild-mannered 18-year-old kid from Slovakia, Marian Gaborik, selected to lead the expansion hockey team. This is the franchise, and its franchise player. And today is the first day of their NHL lives.
The Wild’s dream going into tonight’s first regular-season game has been more than three years in the making. For Gaborik, the dream goes back much further.
And they will grow up together, Gaborik and the Wild, stumbling at first, maybe, but growing nonetheless. That process begins tonight, ready or not.
“I’m nervous, but I’m more excited than anything,” Gaborik said, breaking into a smile. “I’ve always wanted to play in the NHL. This is my dream. I can’t wait to step out there.”
But local fans might have to wait, at least to see the team and player they ultimately hope to see. Success for both likely will take time.
The Wild, for the most part, is made up of players other teams didn’t want. It is a team of castoffs and leftovers, those deemed to have limited futures or forgettable pasts. That’s true in the case of nearly every player who will wear a Wild uniform tonight in Anaheim.
Except for Gaborik, who belongs in rarefied air. He is considered a star, or at least a potential future star, which is about the best compliment one can give an 18-year-old who has yet to play an NHL game.
He is the type of player who stretches the vocabularies of scouts straining to think of all the words that mean the same as “great.” He is the type of player agents fight over.
Call him a blue-chipper, a stud, a can’t-miss prospect. Just don’t call him that in front of Wild general manager Doug Risebrough.
“I don’t believe an organization can be built on one player,” Risebrough said. “I would hate to think that the success or failure of a franchise depends on an 18-year-old.”
But, often, the success of a franchise does depend on 21- and 22-year-olds, and that’s where Gaborik is headed. As the third overall pick in the draft, Gaborik, rightly or wrongly, is expected to eventually carry the franchise. It comes with the territory.
“Everyone expects the first-round pick to come in and be a star right away,” said Wild assistant coach Mike Ramsey, a first-round pick in the 1979 NHL draft. “Often times, that pick is coming in and taking the job of a veteran, and even the players look at you and sort of think, ‘OK, show us what you got.’ But you have to be patient. It takes time.”
Only on rare occasions involving rare players _ Mario Lemieux, Eric Lindoros, Wayne Gretzky _ do teenagers make immediate contributions. Two seasons ago, No. 1 pick Vincent Lecavalier, who many believe will be a superstar, had only 13 goals and 28 points as a rookie for Tampa Bay. The second-round pick that season, Nashville’s David Legwand, didn’t even play in the NHL the season he was drafted.
Three seasons ago, Boston rookie Joe Thornton was considered the greatest thing in hockey since the invention of the Zamboni.
“Thornton is the guy I always think of because there was so much hype surrounding him, everyone saying how he was going to be a star right off the bat,” the Wild’s Scott Pellerin said. “He looks as if he is going to be a good player, but look at his rookie season. What did he do?”
Actually, not much: 55 games, three goals, four assists. Last year’s first pick, Atlanta’s Patrik Stefan, was slightly better: 72 games, five goals, 20 assists. Pittsburgh’s Jaromir Jagr had a rookie season no one could believe, and that produced a modest 27 goals in 80 games.
Risebrough said no player should be expected to make a significant impact until he is at least 23 or 24. Anything before that is icing.
“But the system is so impatient,” Risebrough said. “Teams get impatient, agents get impatient. . . . Marian is a very mature young man. Nothing fazes him. He takes everything in stride. He has had worldly experience because he has played in men’s leagues in Europe and so forth. He has NHL speed and an NHL shot. But let’s not forget, he is still a rookie. I’m not going to put everything we have on him. It will take time.”
In the preseason, Gaborik had a goal and an assist in six games. He nearly scored three or four other times. But that was preseason. During the NHL regular season, the dekes that worked in Europe won’t work. The shot that ended up in the nets in Slovakia, will end up in a goalie’s glove. The hits will be a little harder, the pace a little faster.
Yet even Ramsey, who has been in the NHL as a player and coach since 1980 and has seen hundreds of rookies come and go, swears Gaborik is ready, and deserves to be in the NHL.
Meantime, Gaborik knows the eyes of Minnesota are upon him.
“I know there is pressure on me, and I know a lot of people will be looking at me,” Gaborik said. “But there is nothing I can do about that. I put pressure on myself to be a good player. The only thing I can do is go out and do the best I can.”
The best, for now, might not be enough for him or the Wild. Only time will tell.
But at least the process can begin tonight. For both.
******
I hear that there was no Gaborik, no Koivu at the Parrish thing. Not many Wild, in fact, but lots of Minnesota guys like Martin, Rasmussen, Ballard. He also said Taylor Chorney was one of the “celeb” players. A Fighting Sux guy headed for, I think, Edmonton.
Goalieguy:
It was Friday night because I posted on the blog that I saw Parrish being interviewed on Fox at 11:30pm. In his interview did he mentioned that he sat down with Lemaire and watched videos but JL never told him what he needed to do? Did he mention getting up early but the other guys were getting up much earlier?
On the Matt Thomas show, Parrish said that he wasn’t sure if Gaborik’s flight was going to arrive in time for the event. Bandgeek said that when interviewed on 93X, Parrish said that Schultz had to fly back home because of a family emergency.
I gotta say, reading that TSN article Gabby’s agent does not say much positive about the Wild other than they have treated him well in the past. I am sure he is being an agent and not giving an inch by clearly NOT saying that Gabby wants to stay in MN. One assumes this is a negotiating ploy, maybe he thinks Rolston’s comments hurt his negotiating position, who knows, but he’s clearly playing it tight.
That being said I think there is a pretty good chance the wild can sign him, but I think it’s going to take at least a 5 year deal and a no trade clause. Playing the final year of his contract is not risk free for Gabby either. He gets injured and spends half the season in the GTRCMBSHP and his value takes a big hit. Throw $42M and he’s gonna have to think pretty hard about that.
From the Word of both parties this negotiation will work like this
For the Wild signing Gabby before the season will be the most inexpensive
For Gabby coming to camp in above normal condition can mean he is shooting for a pot of gold. Gabby likely will gamble and hold out so he can strut his stuff.
synopsis
Mister Know it all thinks Gabby will gamble and wait to show the league and the Wild he is in the 10 million dollar range type of player. Which will mean the Wild will have to pay over 9 million a year to get him now
If the wild have to give him $9m/yr for 5 years I could live with that. It certainly could end up being less than he could get on the open market next year.
Do they ever do the incentive clause thing in the NHL?
I don’t think we need to worry just yet. Hell it’s going better then trying to negotiate with Rol$$$ton. Gabby’s agent returns calls to the media and management! Within the week we will hear the Wilds first offer and hopefully shortly afterward a counteroffer from Gabbo’s agent. His agent obviously isn’t about to come out and say Gaborik is more then willing to sign here at a fair price and Risebrough/Lynn sure as hell aren’t gonna say we’ll back up the brinks truck and rename the Xcel Energy Center the Marian Gaborik House of Awesomeness. I for one don’t want to watch the cow get butchered, I just want to eat the steak. JMO…
MGHoA… LOL
Trade him before he fakes an injury again. Get some skill instead of a fast skater.
It’s pretty amusing to read the comments on the TSN article on Mark Parrish and the ‘Nucks possibly signing him. Thinking your team is going straight down and will never win a game all season must be something all hockey fans share no matter who the team is.
The way I’m looking at the Gabby situation is… Either we re-sign Gabby and get to enjoy him for another 4-7 years or we trade him and we can get excited about some youngsters we get back in the trade. Either way the Wild have a promising future.
Earlier in this thread I was making a joke. I’m pretty new to this forum, so I apologize to the regulars for mentioning politics.
OBAMAFORPRESIDENT… you do know that gas stations are self-serve nowadays? My political views have no place on this forum, but I think it’s very important that you don’t call names because someone believes differently than you.
I think it’s “How ’bout those Wild?” or if you’re okay with bad grammar in the spirit of conveying a colloquial flavor, “How ’bout them Wild?” would probably pass muster.
Anytime a player/agent says they “plans to fulfill his contract with the Wild this season” says to me that they are not looking for a long term committment. Any player who is more motivated by the opportunity to score goals than by winning is not the guy to build a team around. His history includes holding out, and looking around. DR has made it pretty clear that he’s not going to carry someone in their last year of contract.If he doesn’t sign by training camp I’d trade him - better to get something than nothing.
JWA, you’re clearly a morning person. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
If I’m Dougie, I’m putting together my list of teams who need a Marian Gaborik and have something I want.
If I’m Dougie, I’m putting together my list of teams who need a Marian Gaborik and have something I want.
even if #10 or his agent said they wanted to make it work here, DR still should have a list of places that need #10 and have things he wants. It’s good business to be prepared.
We’ll yeah. I’m sure he’s had that list together for a while. I guess I meant that more symbolically…
DR has said repeatedly that he is not afraid to let players play out the last year of their contract — which gave us the early March meltdown.
Gaborik is different. You need to re-sign him or trade him. You can’t let him walk away for nothing. I hope part of the delay was figuring out who and what they could get for him.
Gabby willnot start the year, at least in Minnesota, without an extension. If the two sides cannot agree to an enxtension by the end of Sept. he will be dealt. Dougie Ballgame has said as much in previous stories. If Ballgame allows Gabby to start the year without an extension, he deserves to fired immediately. It is not Ballgame’s fault if Gabby does not want to sign, but if the Wild come to that conclusion prior to the start of the year, he has to be dealt. The return will be much greater now than the end of February,w when team’s know they can offer big dollars in July without having to give up picks and/or prospects.
Unfortunately teams are not just going to trade away prospects and drat picks for Gabby unless a team has a ton of cap space. We may get offers like a 1st round pick and a $5M cap hit slug from their roster signed for 2 or 3 more years. If that’s the case, then isn’t it better that we use the $7.5M+ cap space that has been freed up to acquire someone next season? You never lose a player for nothing, you acquire more cap space to use on other players. Unfortunately if no one wants to come here with that kind of money thrown at them, then that’s a problem.
FOOD….
I have your food Bandgeek !
