Gaborik victim of “character assassination”
Posted on October 22nd, 2008 – 6:32 PMBy Michael Russo
Just got off a couple phone calls with agent Ron Salcer. He read a statement denying some of the outrageous offers that Marian Gaborik’s allegedly rejected that’s been reported by some media outlets.
Gaborik’s been getting hammered publicly based on misinformation being reported by the media, Salcer said.
Here’s Salcer’s prepared statement:
“Unfortunately, Marian has been absorbing a character assassination on the premise of misinformation that has circulated like gospel.
“Lets be clear, no matter what Marian eventually signs for, it’s all a lot of money. Special athletes make lots of money. The important part of this process is recognizing the various dynamics of sensitive negotiations for both the player and team that transpire. Making some effort to maintain integrity for the principles involved should be considered.
“Based on what’s voluminous speculation and propaganda, people are inappropriately judging Marian. It should be based on the facts. The facts are this is his eighth year in Minnesota and the loyalty he has shown fans, the city, his teammates and the organization should not be disregarded or overlooked.
“The offers that have been thrown at the wall of 10 years, $85 million, $90 million and $100 million are wrong, as are what I now hear — seven years, $70 million and eight years, $80 million. They’re also wrong.
“When and if they do get offered, something certainly may happen.”
It should be noted I’ve consistently reported since July that the Wild planned to offer Gaborik seven-to-10-year deals betwen $8 million and $8.5 million, something Salcer hasn’t denied.
He’s specifically mad with the fact that a certain newspaper keeps upping the rejected offers every week (yesterday at seven years, $70 million and eight years, $80 million), yet the two parties haven’t even spoken in two weeks, so how do the rejections keep going up?
140 Responses to "Gaborik victim of “character assassination”"
the only place i’ve read contract offers is in shooter’s column and everyone knows he’s as full of BS as Sid.
character assassination, eh? i suppose you fight BS with more BS.
Reads like Salcer needs to pry a few bucks from his wallet to hire a PR firm to write his prepared statements. For Gaby’s sake, I hope he is a better agent than author.
The garbage emminating from the Rag across the River is why nobody takes that mess seriously. has anybody in Russoville ever believed that Ballgame was going to offer 10 mill a year? I didn’t think so. I have always stated, let’s wait until something is done, either a trade or extension, and find out what the two sides had on the table before we start throwing blame. But, for the most part, Don and Salcer are right. Gaby has been portrayed as “money hungry” when we don’t even know what is on the table. Leave it to the dolts Shipley and Walters to continnue to prove they know very little about what it takes to be a journalist. I can almost forgive Walters, since he is simply a useless columnist, but to use “unnamed sources” or “birdies” is ludicrous. Just another example of hacks throwing Bertuzzi to the wall to see if it sticks.
DB: Shipley has not reported any amounts other than the widely speculated number of $80 million-10 years, which was first reported by Tom Powers and Russo has implied that this number is legitimate.
Shooter was the one who reported the $90 million 10 years. I have to check but I think it was in the Strib and in the NY Post or NY Daily News that stated that Gaby wanted $100 million-10 years.
Makes me want to throw up a little in my mouth, but I tend to agree with the, god help me, the agent, on this one. Reports all over the place that the two sides haven’t spoken in a couple of weeks, yet it seems almost every other day the fish wrap express comes out without another offer that Gaby has turned down. I guess when you have to try and expand your readership from several, to several plus a few, you will print anything that comes to mind.
Shipley was one with Reusse (radio) a couple of weeks ago and stated that Gaby had turned down offers “in the neighborhood of 10 million a year”. That’s close enough for me in terms of throwing it out there. As far as Walters is concerned, he’s in the same boat as Sid: died three years ago and simply never got the memo. It was funny, but when Don was on KFAN this week, he also said he didn’t believe the reports coming out of the PP about the 10 million a year nonsense.
I think “character assassination” is a bit harsh. But I suppose no one wants to look like a money hungry agent who is holding his client back from taking deals.
Salcer is running the classic PR strategy of “aggressive retreat.” He has surveyed the market for his client, factored in the possibility that the economy will shrink the salary cap and, thus, reduce the percentage of the cap he can get for his client.
When an agent or press secretary comes out aggressively like this he is basically setting the stage for how much of a backstep he’s going to have to make and still come out looking brilliant to the other clients or potential clients he has.
This was the first blast in a “backpedal” that will result in Gaborik signing with someone for something not more than 8 mill.
The economy and the coming reality that corporations will have their tax deductions for entertainment further reduced/removed is finally sinking into these agents.
Gaborik will sign for 8 mill either with the Wild or someone else. This was the first piece of the strategy of retreat.
Gaby ain’t all that.
Sunshine:
From the previous thread; the Rolston deal will always be remembered for Smug waiting too long to try and negotiate an extension. Even he admitted that. The Wild did not win.
Veilleux was inexperienced and got outmanuevered. We will see what happens when he becomes an FA. I suspect he will have learned something by then and extract his pound of flesh here or elsewhere.
What leak? Everything credible I have read or seen ties back to Russo speculating on 7-10 at 8 to 8.5 per year. My bet is that is his experience speaking and not some leak from the Wild.
Hey Deep Breath. Lay off the Pioneer Press. It isn’t what it used to be, but neither is the Strib or most papers for that matter. Save for Russo, there isn’t much to be proud of west of the river either, although you do have CJ going for you. Heck, if we could get Sansevere to move to the Strib, it would increase the average IQ of both staffs by 50%
backstreet boys, YESSSSSS
Salcer can stick it in his ear. If he really wanted to get a deal done, it would be done. Gabby doesn’t want to play here and now his feelings (and groin/hammy/quad) are hurt.
Nothing against Gabby, it’s a business. But “loyalty” doesn’t play here. The Wild need to move on.
Deep: You got me there with Shipley on with Reusse. I read alot and listen to alot of radio but if its Reusse and hockey, forget about it.
Stoned: you are wrong. The $80 million -10 years is directly attributed to Tom Powers of the Pio, which he said was from from multiple sources. Some of these sources have to be in the Wild organization as Gaborik’s camp just responded to it. That number was picked up by TSN and other news outlets.
Russo only deals in annual cap hit not specific contract amount.
Gaborik’s agent needs to be proactive about the PR game. If Gaborik does re-sign (and its a big IF), he needs to be able to live and work in this area.
Wanted: Goaltending in Philadelphia. 6-5 now.
Another night of FAIL for my goalies. Excellent.
I’ve got Nabokov, I feel your pain.
I don’t care what he is offered as long as he signs somewhere else! I hope the Wild don’t sign him at the cost of losing Koivu or Burns.
Both the Gaborik and Wild camps will be throwing their propaganda out there in the media. Like anything, there will be a grain of truth running through all of the comments. (Only a very small few agents and teams in all sports actually flat out lie).
That being said, I think we all need to rely on our gut instincts to figure out what is going on. Mine says that Gaborik doesn’t really want to play for Lemaire any more. So barring an obscene $$$ offer from the Wild (which the Wild have no track record of giving), I think Gaborik will be traded before season’s end.
Have you heard that Governor Lipstick is dropping the puck at the Blues game Friday night? Looks like she wants to get booed mercilessly in both Conferences after all.
What is wrong with the Stars? Losing 5-0 to the Devils.
Also, anyone else deem it a bit “odd” that Lawton has been promoted to Executive VP and GM for the Bolts?
Who cares what Gaborik does. Just a distraction. We’ll be fine without him. He disappears during the playoffs anyway. Trade him for a 1st rounder and a decent centerman and we’re good.
I think the Devils are fired up tonight.
i have turco. yikes
Why would it be odd?
cause deep breat says so. in the voice of a former WWF/WWE personality
I have Turco AND Biron. Clearly I have displeased the FH gods. But at least ALL my teams suck, so I don’t have to love one more than another. I hate them all equally.
Is Biden dropping the puck at any games anytime soon? Would that be another case for the fairness doctrine NHL style?
With these rumors, I wouldn’t bother trying to place blame on any one side. We are in the familiar place of the blame game. Spins more than the 20 dryers in my laundry room. Character assasination is a new little wrinkle though. A little over the top. Salcer has been watching too much politics. But they are unavoidable at this point.
The athlete always ends up looking greedy. The agent always tries to temper that reaction. The press just wants to report stuff to keep circulation and viewership up. Ownership floats rumors and the agents float rumors to try to win the battle.
So only 6 or is it 5 more shutouts needed by Brodeur to surpass Roy?
I thought the whole reason Lawton went to TB was to be GM? Guess I don’t follow.
I tend to think Salcer’s statement is something of an overreaction. I look at Russoville as a good sampling of die-hard NHL/Wild fans (maybe I assume too much). There’s quite a bit of debate here about who is/will be to blame about Gaby, but no one that I can recall has seriously thought Gaby has turned down a $10m/year deal, no matter what’s reported by Shooter. In fact, I would bet the vast majority of folks here would rather gaby just move along to another team than have the Wild pay him $10M/year.
Well… Biden never claimed to be a Hockey Dad, so I don’t think Biden will be asked anytime soon.
My Gaby theory:
He wants to play in a major market out east not for salary, or even JL, but for the limelight. Think about it. Which players are in 90% of NHL promos? Who gets the vast majority endorsement deals? Who does the (inter)national media talk endlessly about? It’s always the “big stars” on the Habs, Sens, Rangers, Pittsburg, etc. Here in flyover land, Gaby will always be a second-tier star.
Mr. BG:
Have you ever seen Gaborik being interviewed? He doesn’t have the personality or the voice to obtain major endorsement deals.
Its more believable that he wants to pad his numbers.
Ok, just a thought but.
Alot of people are saying Gabby is sick of playing for J.L.
Well Gabby is under contract for this year already, he has said he will be here this year. There is also alot of talk that this will be J.L,’s last year coaching, so that arguement doesnt really hold any water…
Now maybe he doesnt like the direction DR is going with the team, and maybe he believes the system will not change, but you really cant blame the contract mess on JL.
…A second tier star on a “boring trapping team”
Well… Biden never claimed to be a Hockey Dad, so I don’t think Biden will be asked anytime soon.
Uh, then, can I drop the puck at a game sometime?
If Salcer is worried about his client’s feelings, he should ask the Wild for their best offer and then either take it, or tell the team that the free agency ship has sailed, and Wondergroin is on it. Pandering eternally for better deals will only serve to further sour the fan perception of his client, and do nothing but distract from the product on the ice (or, in his client’s case, being treated with ice following a tough game of HACKEY SACK). It isn’t Don, Powers, Shooter, Shipley or even Sid’s fault. Salcer has created this situation, and no amount of poorly worded spin will change that fact.
I am a huge MG fan, but if he wants to get this team in a KG like situation where it is one star and a team of Skoulas, well, I think I’ll pass.
I still don’t know where Gaby ever said that he is sick of playing for JL. Most teams play trapping defensive hockey of some sort. JL lets Gabby off the defensive leash alot.
And I don’t see how the DR direction is bad. We have basically improved each year with some ebb and flow and have tied up a good young and talented nucleus. Won a division title last year.
I think Gabby just wants to see what is out there. Or else get paid enough not to look.
By the way, I was joking about the dropping of the puck with VP candidates Sunshine. I know Joe Biden isn’t a Hockey Dad.
HD: I think you would be more welcome than any of the candidates. 
Hockeydad should drop the puck! Lets start a write in campaign!
Salcer just basically said that 10/85 gets it done. So f’in DO IT already, Risebrough!
Get rid of Gaborik and tell him to take his best friend skoula with him.
DD: He said 3 years ago before he signed his last contract. He, I don’t think, has said anything about it recently. It might be that his health has been a bigger issue than his defensive responsibilities. I mean if you are injured, why worry about playing both ends of the ice, right?
I’d sign him for 8.5 per for 10. I have a hard time thinking it’s that easy though. The length of contract might be the issue.
When and where did he say it Sunshine? I appreciate your memory, but could it be that 3 years ago it was “reported” or was it actually quoted?
I remember the uproar at last years All Star game. ALOT of words were being stuffed in Gabby’s mouth.
I thought it was Sawchuk’s record Brody is chasing? I’m too lazy to look it up.
Of course, the one team that’s doing well for whom I have a goalie, the goalie isn’t playing tonight (Wings). MFer!!!
Ms. C: I’ve got Osgood, Garon and Huet in one league and none are starting (and EDM and CHI are playing each other; theoretically I’d be guaranteed a win!)
I remember the uproar at last years All Star game. ALOT of words were being stuffed in Gabby’s mouth.
I even confess to doing some of the stuffing (though I don’t think I was to far off).
makes you wonder if the term isn’t more important to him than the $/yr - considering his injury history.
But, if that’s the case, then what’s the difference to DR if it’s 8 years or 10 years, I guess? I mean it’s not like 10 years is too long to gamble on Gaby but 8 years isn’t.
Sooo…never mind. 
In other news. Charlotte, NC is a completely different town from the one I remember from 1993.
Bandgeek: Pittsburgh? That’s not a major market. It’s a hockey town, but it’s not a major market. There are 3 players in Pittsburgh who are far more marketable than Gabby (and one former player) who will get most of the attention. Crosby, Malkin, Staal, and LeMieux.
Gaborik isn’t going to get limelight. He’s not photogenic. He has the grin, but that’s not what hockey marketing wants. They want guys with a big jaw and a mean look. There are a lot of marketable people in most of these cities. Gabby won’t get it unless he starts breaking records or doing some astounding things.
Better or worse, Nick? Church on every corner, I hear. Never been, myself.
DD: I want to say with confidence that he was quoted 3 years.
Let me do a quick search and let you know. I am 100% confident that he definitely did not say it during the All-Star Game because both papers wrote stories on it and the Pio never quoted him as saying anything about Lemaire’s system.
I was thinking more along the lines of Gabby wanting 8.5 at less # of years so he can get a chance at another payday down the road. Say he wants 5 years at 8.5. But DR knows that with inflation his 8.5 spread out over 8 ir 10 will work good for the cap long run.
Even Yawnson is at a good salary now even though he was grossly overpaid early.
Salcer just basically said that 10/85 gets it done. So f’in DO IT already, Risebrough!
No, he did not say or suggest any such thing.
And 8.5 is too much. In my opinion. 7.5 is about where I’d stand. I don’t think it’s prudent to pay a guy 8.5 to play 80% of the season, and 18% of each game.
better than what I remembered, ms.c. that is to say, re-gentrified Uptown equals many nice, new, clean living and dining/drinking options, decent new commerce (I was told as of the last 5 years even), and many young, upwardly mobile types just tryin’ to make a buck.
I was pleasantly surprised. (Did notice a passel of houses of worship once you got out of the high rent district though.)
Never said he talked about JL at last years allstar game. It was a more general question on Free Agency and testing the waters which led to much mouth stuffing. The suffing included all the usual stuff like he doesn’t like the system.
NiNY…Charlotte is a fine town. I’ve had the pleasure of being there a few times. Did you remember it a different way?
Oh poor Ghost. People in the media are talking about him. Based on his reax, there is NO WAY he lands in NYC. They’d rip him and his wonky groin two ways to Sunday.
Is Salcer a media adviser to the Bachmann campaign???
I never said anything about Pitt, the Mr is the one spouting off about Gaby and teams in the east. If you know anything about me you should know that all I’ll say about it is… poop.
Not that I am trying to assess blame, but have you seen what the stock market has done since Gabonomics were introduced??
Sounds nice Nick. Sounds like a good place for DINKs like me and Mr. Conduct.
Yeah, see, the people who are claiming Salcer didn’t say they’d take 10 yrs / 85M are the people who don’t want to pay him that much anyway. Offer it, and call his bluff then! He’ll look like a total idiot if he turns it down after that statement!
Oh, that’s right, you don’t want to offer him that much anyway! That’s your real agenda. If Vinny is worth $85M then so is Gaby. If Ovechkin is worth $124M then Gaby is definitely worth $85M.
Is there really any way to really know who was offered what? Do you trust any of the factors in play? Agent, Front Office, Media? Spin cycle is on overdrive high.
Tkachuk scored again. Man, that man is on fire.
DD: If you read the Pio article, they noted that Salcer did not deny the $80 million -10 year deal. He denied other contract rumors but not that one. In that article, Salcer explicitly denies that Gaborik wants $100 million -10 year, which was reported by the NY Post.
So, its safe to say that that offer is true. Then you wonder why didn’t they accept it. Is it the 10 years, the $80 million, or both? Maybe they want more money for a little less years? Or they want more money for the same exact years?
Sunshine, you are in the spin cycle, and that is fine. Many people try to get in there and figure stuff out as it spins around and around and try to find the “truth”. I do it, it’s fun. I’m just sayin, that you picking through a Salcer article to find the “truth”, probably maybe won’t actually find it.
Usually it’s found out that alot of the crap is wrong, false or misleading. After the fact, sometimes you get a completely different version. And even that is most likely spun.
Personally, I hesitate to put too much weight in reports from reporters on things like this.
What exactly does “Salcer did not deny” anything? He didn’t confirm it either. But if you want to get in there and interpret the non-confirms or non-denials or denials, that’s cool. I’ll enjoy your take.
Did you get a quote yet? I will look also. You said 3 years ago that Gabby said he doesn’t like JL’s system? It might be true no doubt. But alot of things get lost in time. So I’d like to refresh the memory.
Sorry to KJ if I appear to be a MKiA. But I’m just sayin…
I found it rather conspicuous that the 10-year/$80M figure wasn’t denied too. So you can give me another dose of your holier-than-thou monologue, Dickie.
LOL Anybody catch the lecture about leaving your glove on to pick up your dropped hockey stick here on the EDM/CHI game?
I guess when the game is 3-0 deep in the third, you have to find something to talk about.
The reason that I find it “odd” that the Bolts would name Lawton as the Exec VP and GM is that his only claim to hockey is being the biggest #1 bust of all time and being a player agent. Doesn’t seem right for a team that is supposedly “on the rise”.
Brodeur I think is 5 short of Sawchuk’s shutout record (103) and about 8 shy of Roy’s wins record (551). Best guess from memory here.
Nothing should be seen as odd by Tampa Bay these days, and that includes firing Barry Melrose before Halloween or trading Stamkos.
What’s Lawton actually do anyway? It’s been the owners making every move. That’s why the last GM “resigned.”
Mister Know it all is fine with what the Wild are offering if this is what it is
It should be noted I’ve consistently reported since July that the Wild planned to offer Gaborik seven-to-10-year deals betwen $8 million and $8.5 million, something Salcer hasn’t denied
This does not give the totals of each year so these numbers may have missing facts
DR - I hope you are presenting your numbers to Gabby this way
Year 1 8.7
Year 2 8.7
Year 3 8.7
Year 4 8.7
Year 5 8.7
Year 6 8.7
Year 7 8.7
60.9 Million over 7 years
After 7 years it would be reasonable for those numbers to decrease
DR if you are in a pissing match with Gabby over whether he is worth what Crosby is worth ?? Cut it out !
Salcer: Your client does not deserve guaranteed money. Dont ask DR for something you should not
Counter offer= 60.9 million over the next 7 years (8.7 million a year for 7 years) If DR does not take it ask for a trade. Dont be stupid and expect DR to give more without you asking becasue its your move
I assume your client wants to stay in Minnesota. Mister Know it all has given you a solution. Its free of charge
DD: If he’s denying all the other rumors and since the $80 million-10 year deal is the prevailing contract out there and he doesn’t deny it, then it would seem that its more true than false.
Its 5 more shutouts to tie Sawchuck. Ms. C: you were right about Sawchuck.
“Special athletes make lots of money.”
Exactly why the wild should NOT pay this guy a lot of money. The only thing special about Gaborik is his “Lower Body” and how often it is injured.
Brilliant Mister Know it all! You have solved the negotiation. I like what you said below
DR if you are in a pissing match with Gabby over whether he is worth what Crosby is worth ?? Cut it out !
Salcer: Your client does not deserve guaranteed money. Dont ask DR for something you should not
Counter offer= 60.9 million over the next 7 years (8.7 million a year for 7 years) If DR does not take it ask for a trade. Dont be stupid and expect DR to give more without you asking becasue its your move
I assume your client wants to stay in Minnesota. Mister Know it all has given you a solution. Its free of charge
DD: Here is an excerpt from a Strib article dated 4/11/06
[Gaborik wants `freedom’
Gaborik seems frustrated lately. He has talked about a lack of “freedom,” how he warrants more ice time and how he craves winning.
He is averaging 18 minutes, 20 seconds a game, second to Brian Rolston among Wild forwards but well below the ice time a player of Gaborik’s ilk usually merits.
For instance, Gaborik recorded his eighth career hat trick Sunday against Colorado while logging only 16:49 of ice time. He ranks 81st among NHL forwards in ice time but 11th in the league in goal scoring.
“I want to play 20 minutes in all situations, but it doesn’t happen a lot,” Gaborik said. “Sometimes it can be frustrating. They want me to be a complete player, and I want to be that, too. But more freedom wouldn’t be bad out there, you know? I’ll do the best with what they give me.”
Lemaire feels he has given Gaborik plenty of freedom. Gaborik has been almost automatic on breakaways, and Lemaire allows him to lurk behind defenders for those home-run passes.
But Lemaire isn’t opposed to benching Gaborik in tight situations.
“We want him to go, go, go, but there’s some times you have to know who you’re on the ice against, the score of the game, the time,” assistant coach Mike Ramsey said. “If it’s 1-1 and there’s a minute left, he’s still frisky. You don’t want to take that away from him, but you can’t go, go, go here.]
[…] Russo’s Rants – […]
I’m just saying, things are being spun like tilt o whirl.
I’m not holier than thou, I’m just stating opinions like anybody else does. If you have any issue with what I say StraighCashHomie… bring it up, disagree, I don’t care. But don’t ask me to give you another dose of my monologue, I don’t know what part you refer to.
That’s good stuff Sunshine. I just like to clarify because sometimes, things get misconstrued, especially if it’s been 3 years. Now I remember it better. JL was keeping him off the ice for some PPs and wouldn’t put him out for PKs at that time I think. I remember wanting him out there for PKs too.
I think since then he has pretty much gotten what he wanted. Maybe there are some hatchets not completely buried though.
He said he wanted to win. Repeated it during the hoopla at last years AS game. It will be interesting to see whether or not he still wants to win or make StraightCashMoney when this is all over.
I still can’t believe that the anthem in game one of the the 08 WS was sung by the Backstreet Boys… Backstreets back I guess… Who’s up for game 2? Color Me Bad?
Sunshine, I think gabby is behind all the concerns he had with the ice time problem back in 2006. I think it is all about DR and his concern about paying Gabby what Crosby and Malkin are getting. I think that this is definetely the problem right now. All DR has to do is come off of his 8 to 8.5 million number to a slightly higher number and that should satisfy Gabbys Ego, and saisfy Salcer so as to show Gabby his agent got him some extra coin and earned his commission
DD: I think Gaby finally learned or bought into Lemaire’s system. He’s killing penalties and playing in the last minutes of game– though, not every game. He is still probably getting the same amount of ice time but he’s given more responsibilities.
He still has defense lapses but he’s much better.
I agree Sunshine. I think JL was probably mind gaming him and he had a right to be pi$$ed. Whether or not the mind gaming made him better or stunted, is up for debate.
I think he really wants to test the market. I don’t blame him either. I don’t know what that means in relation to his “wanting to win”. I’ll get my answer when he signs a contract. I still have an idea made up in my mind that he doesn’t want long term years but wants dollars per that would be put on long term contracts. I think I would if I was in his skates. Give me 4 at 8 per. Then I can negotiate again in my prime.
I can’t be convinced he will leave based on JL’s system. I think he wants to see what other’s think he’s worth.
What no discussion about Rachet the Iraqi wonder dog(?) Salcer is back-tracking off the big figures that have been mentioned so Gabby can be offered and accept $8.5 per year from ANOTHER team.
Hey “special athlete” and “special” agent- you made your beds, go lie in them already and stop wasting our time. Gaborik is awesome at goal scoring (when he wants to be), that’s it, and that’s your problem. No one in their right mind will sign him for Lecavalier, Crosby, or Ovechkin money.
Take off.
Tkachuk = sell high 
Devin Setoguchi = buy low/waiver! playing with Jumbo Joe and Marleau…..just no longer available in the Russoville league
On a lighter note, went to the Rocky Mountain Rage vs. Colorado Eagles minor league game tonight….5-1 Eagles in the third, and low and behold, the Rage’s goalie blatantly takes down an Eagles’ player with his stick, very dirty-like….long story short = GOALIE FIGHT!!!!!!
OHHH! Lemmi, I’m so jealous!!!
Buddha: Wow, ESPN’s IR list sure is generous, isn’t it? I was scanning teams looking for a defenseman to acquire and noticed you were able to put Carcillo, who was never hurt, on IR.
Can’t say I mind it though. It’s nice being able to replace a guy who will be out for a couple weeks if he’s not on the real IR.
[…] Marian Gaborik’s agent decided to address what he calls the misconceptions about Gaborik’s contract demands. I suspect this is the list of demands he’s talking […]
Ha-ha, Gaborik’s agent called him a ’special athlete’ - like they type that participates in the Special Olympics?
Hmmm, it seems everyone assumes that $$ are what is unacceptable in the offers which DR has tendered. I’d venture a guess that it is more likely term (years) which is the problem. Remember, we lost Rolston (not that I’m too broken up about it) mainly because DR didn’t offer up as many years as Rolston wanted. Do you really want to sign a guy with a wonky groin to a 10yr deal? He’d be 36 by the time a 10yr is up. Are you willing to commit big $$ to one player for that term?
Back to the shootout move by Vanek…
I agree mostly with G*, a wow inducing shootout move is nice, but doesn’t necessarily mean a player can get the job done in regulation (Nummelin anyone?). However, I still like to see what the players can bring.
Vanek’s feign (fake whiff): While a nice move, I much prefer a player do something with the puck rather than without (see the spin-o-rama).
I like the lively banter between Dickie, Beaver, MKiA and Cash. You’d almost think they knew each other or something.
Perhaps this media fracas will cause the two parties that are on non-speaking terms to at least talk about a contract.
I think DR has decided that he’s not going to talk contract with Salcer during the season. That he’s decided that he is going to move Gaborik no matter what.
It is his decision to make. Even Uncle ‘Ghost’ Moneybags and his agent cannot control it.
So, the paper’s wrong isn’t it? Tonight’s game is on 45 according to the Wild schedule and 45.
We interrupt this Gabby discussion to bring you an actual game tonight.
Maybe it’s the Gabby issue weighing everything down, but this seems like a very slooooow start to the season. 12 days, only 4 games played.
Bull, it seems that way to me too. Looking at the schedule, it seems they have quite a few long breaks this season:
4 consecutive days off in early Nov.
4 consecutive days off in early Dec.
4 consecutive days off in late Dec. (Christmas)
6 consecutive days off in late Jan.
3 consecutive days off in early Feb.
4 consecutive days off in mid Feb. (All Star break?)
I don’t remember them having that many multiple day breaks last season. Maybe I’m just remembering wrong…
Looks like we’ve got 15 back to backs too…
Note to Ron Salcer:
What is your point?
“character assassination”? Come on.
1.) Gaby has told the media(although not very convincing) that he wants to sign here.
2.) The Wild planned to offer Gaborik seven-to-10-year deals betwen $8 million and $8.5 million, something Salcer “hasn’t denied.”(So………?)
If Gaby really wanted to be here, he’d have signed prior to the season.
I’d guess Salcer thinks we should feel sorry for all those Wall Street types because billionares are now merely multi-millionares. You can’t make it up.
I see the obvious joke was missed…
Doesn’t UM being the target of a character assassination imply that he had character before hand?
BTW- Does anyone want to take an entrepreneurship test for me? It’s killing me… thought I was done with this crap in May.
6 days? WTF? Though with the 14 3 in 3s the Aeros have, their schedule is similar. Though in early Dec. they have 9 games in 15 days. Woof. All but one at home (and the away is San Antonio… think I’ll try to hit that one since it’s a Saturday).
Anyway, yeah, clearly the natives are more restless than usual.
that 6-day break is for the ASG in late January
KiPA- The Pens lost another d-man?
You have any hope at AHL level, or are we going to see some trade rumors on your end soon?
Closed Circuit to kj (although I think a Philly deal is still possible if they are desperate enough to unload Briere):
Gaborik available
Don’t expect the cap-strapped Flyers to enter trade talks for Minnesota’s Marian Gaborik, a two-time all-star right winger who is being shopped.
Gaborik, 26, who can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has turned down several contract-extension offers from the Wild. He reportedly turned down a 10-year, $80 million deal from Minnesota.
Unless they unload some salaries, the Flyers could not fit Gaborik under the cap. Their payroll, for cap purposes, is about $54.3 million - $2.4 million under the NHL’s cap. The team’s payroll will grow when Randy Jones ($2.5 million) and Ryan Parent ($850,000) come off the long-term injured list. Jones could return around Dec. 1, Parent around Christmas.
Gaborik, who has the most goals (207) for the Wild since the franchise began play in 2000, has missed the last two games because of a lower-body injury.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20081023_Flyers_Notes___Will_Flyers__Sbisa_stay_or_go_.html
Goody: scheudle isn’t a lot different than a year ago. Team had 13 back-to-backs and 7 stretches of at LEAST 3 days off.
As far as the shootout is concerned, when the game gets to the shootout it is pretty much irrelevant what happened in regulation and overtime. Nummi was borderline helpless during the regular portion of a game but he was lethal in the shootout. Once the game gets to the shootout, give me three guys that have sweet, successful moves any day of the week. Gaby is one of the top goal scorers in the conference, at least last year, and he struggled with the shootout as much as anybody.
Doesn’t UM being the target of a character assassination imply that he had character before hand?
i was thinking of that this morning but since i already posted, thought it would be stupid to repost and waited for someone else to knock that one out of the park. or off a cat walk.
The cost of players salaries are going up each year. Crosby signed the 8.7 mil/yr contract 1-1/2 years ago. I can see Gaby, Hossa & Zetterberg getting at least 9+ Mil/yer easy. A big power forward like Franzen will also be getting 5+ Mil/yr.
oh booh hoo, poor Gaborik getting picked on. Get rid of him.
Players salaries keep going up so long as the cap goes up. Will it continue to go up? Who knows, but one factor in the rise was the loonie vs the dollar. The loonie is now in reverse so that could hurt plus the general problems in the economy so no guarantee that the cap will go up for next year.
Perhaps I am warped by all the media stuff that I have seen lately but when I read the headline about Gaby being a “Victim of Character Assasination” what I “seen” in my mind was Marian standing in the locker room being interviewed and out of his mouth came Curly Joe’s voice chiming in with “I was a victim of circumstance, nyuk, nyuk”.
Probably not funny to anyone else but for some reason the idea of UM talking like a stooge struck me as comical.
This article featuring Burke does not fool Mister Know it all. Burke is only helping fuel the fire so that Marian will make up his mind. Kust helping his buddy out
I speculate that #10 will be gone by the end of the month.
Glad I could pick up the scraps G*.
This article featuring Burke does not fool Mister Know it all. Burke is only helping fuel the fire so that Marian will make up his mind. Kust helping his buddy out
Don’t you mean Good Old Wally? It does not fool Good Old Wally…?
Oooops, your multiple personality disorder is showing!
Gotta believe that teams will want to see Gaby on the ice for at least a stretch of games before pulling the trigger on any deals. That said, with the GMs meeting in Chi-Town the next couple of days, the talks should be brisk regarding #10. If he isn’t dealt within the next week (after the meetings), I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ballgame hold onto him until the deadline when teams get truly desparate.
DB, I think you are right. Either in the few days to a week or later in the year.
The biggest problem I see with holding onto him until the deadling is (this has been said before) not the risk of injury, but that the Wild will want to keep him for their playoff run. Do that and there’s a high chance of losing him to FA for nothing (DR’s head is in jeopardy). Trade him then and just miss the playoffs and again DR’s head is in jeopardy. DR can not win by waiting unless a miracle happens and the Wild win the Cup.
Oooops, your multiple personality disorder is showing!
HA HA /Nelson Muntz
He can win if he gets a decent package in return, which could very well likely happen since teams which feel they are “one move away” from making a legit run at the Cup tend to open the wallets a little more freely. Could set the team up nicely for next summer’s crop of UFAs, which looks promising right now (all that could change obviously). Team trades Gaby at the dealine, gets some prospects, picks whatever, but also takes the number off the Cap. Skoula’s number comes off the Cap as well next summer. Team could be looking at a decent amount of monies to play with to try and entice a high-end UFA to play here. Because, remember, we have more to offer UFAs than other organizations. All that being written, I’d still like to see Gaby sign a 6-yr extension for 8.5-8.75 per season, but I think that is wishful thinking at this point. I just think the core which is signed long term (Burns, Mikko, Shultz, PMB) looks a lot more attractive with Gaby included.
I agree with DB as well - if the Wild are only going to bring in one NHL player like a Higgins, integrating for the playoffs shouldn’t be a big deal. That said, I would still rather have it done now to reduce the off ice drama and avoid a catastrophe of the groin. However, as long as #10 sticks around there is always hope he will sign a deal that works for both sides.
At risk of being ridiculed, I just want some opinions on my dream of a trade:
Somehow getting Anze Kopitar, a young strong scorer, from L.A. and letting Gabby bask in the bright lights of Hollywood
Any weight behind this?
Seeing as how many young players the Kings have, and considering they have a ton of Cap space, I would be shocked if they would be willing to let go with one of their future “stars” to bring in Gaby and his $70-80 million dollar contract (assuming that’s in the ballpark for what it will be). I think the Kings are in the “Let’s see what the kids can do mode”.
Kopitar just signed an extension, there is no way he is going anywhere. I don’t see the Kings as a trade partner either considering that they have a ton of cap space. If they want Gaborik, they can pursue him in the offseason.
Butch: I like Kopitar plenty…but richard b’s right about his extension.
If the Don says the Kings are in the mix there is no reason to believe they are not. However, it is not for Kopitar. Assuming the Kings have nothing behind Labarbera, this is a squad that could be interested in a several player trade that also involves Harding. Also, if DR is big on making this move now, the Kings have to be in play since they can take on #10’s contract. From the Kings perspective, they are only one point out of second place in their division so the playoff push is already on
That reminds me. Being the last team to lose a game this year, does Bettman send each Wild player an 8×10 of RIAC? 
not sure what the kings have to gain in that deal.
I guess LA should still be considered because they would have a full year to negotiate an extension with Gaborik. I personally see him as just really wanting to be a free agent in the summer, regardless of where he plays this season.
Everybody thought LA should take Khabi when they needed a goalie badly and was far below the cap. They didn’t. LA is not going to go after Gaborik. They are already expected to not make the playoffs. If they want Gaborik, they will wait until July 1st.
- Good point on the Kings and the ‘Bulin wall
- My guess based on something Russo reported in the preseason is that Gaby would sign with the Wild or anyone else now if he gets what he thinks he will get July 1. Isn’t that part of the whole “Gaby wants $10 million per” line of thinking?
- As long as Russo continues to name drop the Kings I think they have to remain part of the speculation. However, I have not seen anything from the LA media to add to the rumor mill.
Part of the LA ‘allure’ for UM is playing with Kopitar.
No way they part with him.
Was listeing to NLH xm and the guys were talking about Gaby’s “outageous” contract offers being refused. Supposedly, Salcer said that IF the wild would offer him a 8 yr $85 million contract, a deal might get done…
What can you make/think from that?? Did anyone else listen?
Does the LA press even follow hockey?
8 year 85 mil = 10.6 a year.
Of course Ghost would sign that.
Of course Ghost would sign that.
but then he wouldn’t get that freedom he’s desires for a few more years.
Russo said that Gaborik was an LA-kind of guy because his doctor lives in LA, he has friends in LA, and he wants to play with a center like Kopitar. Thus, he wants to play in LA.
That is a stretch in my mind.
Salcer said (this from above0:
[ “The offers that have been thrown at the wall of 10 years, $85 million, $90 million and $100 million are wrong, as are what I now hear — seven years, $70 million and eight years, $80 million. They’re also wrong.
“When and if they do get offered, something certainly may happen.” ]
food
All i can say is: Gaby, PRODUCE, PRODUCE PRODUCE!!!!
Then, and only then, we MIGHT offer him that.
He has produced.
Haven’t posted in quite a while but with all the Gaby talk going on in here, isn’t there another potential free agent that will be awfully attractive to teams seeking top end goaltending?? Does Riser think Backstrom will be easier to sign? It frightens the heck out of me to be banking our future on Harding at this point. Letting Backs go, assuming at the deadline, is going to suck eggs.
I cannot wait until Gaby is GONE. I am so sick of him holding the team hostage.
I cannot wait to see him get to his desired team, and then try to explain why the new team and its coach is at fault for him being guilty of playing zero defense, and missing 80% of his break away opportunities. Of course that will be during the 45 games per year when he is not injured.
Bye Bye Bye Gaby, I am SO over you.
[…] agent decided to address what he calls the misconceptions about Gaborik’s con…. I suspect this is the list of […]
Gaborik for Staal and Whitney thanksbye. Pens get a lightning-fast goal scoring machine alongside Kid Crosby and Wild gets one of the league’s best defensive centers and a solid offensive d-man.
