Habster:
Don’t hold your breath on this “rumeur du jour” happening as Marian Gaborik is a world class player but is often injured (Gaborik is hurt again), will be an UFA at season’s end and just recently rejected a 8 year/$80 million contract offer from the Wild.
Bob Gainey already has eight UFAs to deal with after the season and would be foolish to trade for Gaborik unless he can sign the talented forward before pulling the trigger on a deal with his former teammate, Wild GM Doug Risebrough.
Rumour has it that the Wild would like a package of Higgins, McDonagh and a draft pick (most likely a 1st or 2nd rounder) in exchange for Gaborik’s services…….too much for my liking especially if Gainey can’t sign Gaborik!!
It’s highly unlikely for Gaborik to give up a chance to test the open market unless he received an incredible offer from Gainey which is also highly improbable.
RDS: Gaborik : CH et Wild discuteraient
I like Chris Higgins, but the price being asked for Gaborlik doesn’t seem out of line. I would substitute Andrei Kostitsyn in the deal, since he seems more similar to Gaborik in style.
It doesn’t look like McDonagh will be anything special. Something like Josh Gorges with a little more size. That type of player is not difficult to replace.
I just don’t see the upside to bringing Gaborik here. Where would he play on the #1 PP? Key phrase by Habster is oft-injured. Motivation has also been a problem in the past.
In my opinion, Higgins is very under-rated.
As far as McDonagh, he is rated by Hockey Futures as the #2 top young player on the Habs, with only Carey Price being ranked higher. Thats higher than SK74, O’Byrne, Halak, Pacioretty, etc. Also, he is a player that most GM’s have requested in trade proposals.
To be honest, I wouldn’t trade away Higgins/Kostitsyn, McDonagh and a 1st round pick for Gaborik.
Higgins is a RFA next season while Kostitsyn is signed for the next three years and is really starting to develop into an all-round player.
The other concern is that Gaborik would want a long term deal (6-8 years at $60-$80 million) which is not something I would commit to with Gaborik’s injury history and as Rocket mentioned, his non motivated ways!!!
While no prospect is a lock, I just want to emphasize that I believe that McDonagh is a special player.
Incidentally, McDonagh was ranked league-wide by Hockey Futures just behind Alexei Cherepanov .
This is their description:
Ryan McDonagh – D – Montreal Canadiens
Height: 6-1, Weight: 200
McDonagh finished his freshman season with the University of Wisconsin, where he played a significant role on a team that had its share of struggles. A first-round draft pick of the Canadiens in 2007, McDonagh is one of those players who does everything well. His speed and skating ability are tough to match, but he has also got size and strength on his side. He generally makes good decisions on the ice, and is strong in one-on-one play. Because he is in college, the Canadiens will have the option to bring him along slowly if they choose not to offer him the chance to join the professional ranks sooner. Easily the best defensive prospect in Montreal’s system, McDonagh has all of the traits of a potential top pairing defenseman in the NHL.
I also wouldn’t give up on such a talented prospect like Ryan McDonagh especially with the turnover of defensemen that could happen in 2-3 years from now.
In the salary cap era of the NHL, you have to build and maintain your team’s roster with young players/through the draft.
McDonagh did nothing last season to indicate that he would be exeptional. The Badgers regressed despite all the high profile talent, and this season looks even worse. For all the hype about the defense coach there, and all the hyped Minnesota high schoolers coming to play there, the team is getting clobbered for 7 or 8 goals every game so far.
Rob,
Sorry to disagree with you but we have to remember it was Ryan McDonagh’s first year playing NCAA hockey which is a slight step up from his high school playing days at Cretin-Derham.
You are right about the Badgers early struggles but on paper, they have a decent team which should improve. They were able to retain solid players like Blake Geoffrion, Ben Street, Ryan McDonagh and Jamie McBain while recruiting Jake Gardiner, Chris Hickey and even Matt Thurber.
Unfortunately, other teams in their division and the NCAA added a stronger group of freshmen to their rosters.
Great talking about the Habs prospects with you…..we could use another good writer to talk about the progression of the Habs prospects, let me know if you are interested!!
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