UPDATE: Russo will be on in a bit to update, but it appears Saku Koivu has agreed to a one-year deal with Anaheim, according to the Orange County Register.

Former Wild star Marian Gaborik, who signed a free agent deal with the New York Rangers last week, met with Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan in the lobby of the St. Paul Hotel this morning. He had texted Michael Russo and offered to meet with local reporters in “45 minutes.” Souhan was the only media member to meet Gaborik’s deadline.

Here’s an excerpt of his interview with Souhan:

“I just wanted to make sure that the fans and the people of Minnesota know how much I appreciate them. I’ve been here for nine years. You become friends with a lot of people and I will always appreciate their support. Now I’m moving on to the Rangers. I’m a Ranger and I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my life.”

Gaborik also wanted to reiterate that the Wild never made him a contract offer at the start of free agency July 1, so it’s not as if he turned down an offer from the team.

Souhan will write a column for Thursday’s Star Tribune about his sit-down with Gaborik.

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