Here are some excerpts from the Edmonton Journal article by Jim Matheson who analyses various NHL news including the Marian Gaborik situation (Gainey would be crazy to make a deal like the one suggested below):
Marian Gaborik has missed 57 games with groin-related problems the last three years. His latest “lower-body” injury is not good news for Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough, who is likely making calls to see what he can get for the winger who doesn’t look like he’ll re-sign there.
Teams are growing leery of Gaborik’s injuries and the risk that would bring to paying him something in the $9-million neighbourhood. Maybe the Montreal Canadiens will offer Chris Higgins and a hot prospect (Mac Pacioretty or Ryan McDonagh, two first-round picks in ’07) and a first-round pick for Gaborik.
Later in Matheson’s article:
You have to wonder if centre Kyle Chipchura’s days with the Habs are numbered after he was again sent to the farm in Hamilton. The first-round draft from Vimy was hoping to catch a fourth-line spot.
I doubt that Gainey is going to touch this team while they are playing as well as they are at the moment. “If it ain’t broke….”.
Bob has been building towards this season from the day he signed to manage the Habs. I think it is even possible that he purposely weakened the team last season at the trade deadline so that it didn’t “peak” a year too soon.
Rob,
I truly believe the Gaborik to Canadiens rumors are media/blog (All Habs included!!) driven without any truth to them.
Even TSN’s Bob McKenzie wasn’t totally convinced this rumor had any creditability to it when he spoke to The Team 990 this morning.
Gainey would be crazy to give up Higgins, a solid blue chip prospect and a 1st round pick (with the draft in Montreal for 2009, no less!!) for the injury prone Gaborik. Add into the mix that he probably wants a 7-10 year deal at $8.5-$9.5 million per season…….too rich for the conservative Bob Gainey who hasn’t given anyone more than 5 years and $5.75 million per season.
I don’t want to be too critical but your “weakened the team” theory is rather ridiculous. Gainey was one of the most competitive players to ever wear the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge and needless to say, he would never purposely make his team weaker, just the opposite!!
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