Gaborik Situation Resolved. Now What?

SAINT PAUL , Minn.   It took nearly half the season to resolve itself, but the Marian Gaborik situation is hereby resolved. The Minnesota Wild right wing underwent successful hip surgery in Colorado Monday, and will likely miss the next 10-14 weeks rehabbing. The decision to have the surgery was made by Gaborik, seemingly against the wishes of the Wild, and was done to attempt to solve the chronic groin issues of the speedster. With the surgery ends the saga of Gaborik in Minnesota, and thus ends any hope the Wild had of getting any kind of return for Gaborik in a trade.
 
The situation in Minnesota is not good. The team, despite strong showings against the Sharks and Red Wings, is sitting in eighth place in the Western Conference and to say they struggled in December would be an understatement. The slump followed a strong beginning to the season and an up and down November. One main culprit for the Wild’s misfortunes has been the lack of scoring, more specifically, the lack of Gaborik, and the distraction surrounding his ability and willingness to play.
 
General Manager Doug Risebrough made comments prior to the season that he wanted the contract settled by the beginning of the season. That did not happen. The public relations game started at that point, with Gaborik’s camp declining contract offers said to be the $8 million per year range, and the Wild camp declining to discuss negotiations publically.
 
Both sides have been lambasted by the local media, and by fans. Gaborik labeled a money-hungry prima donna, unwilling to play when his team needs him most, and the Wild brass labeled as unable to manage the team, and incompetent to work out a trade or contract deal. Even Michael Russo, the local beat writer known for his generally positive and calming influence on the fan base has begun to ask the hard questions, even postulating that it may be better for the Wild, and for the fans if the team struggles for the rest of the season, so it can move up in the draft and get some young help.
 
The situation was and is messy. Regardless of which side of the dispute you may feel more akin to, the team was suffering from the distraction. With the negotiation over and any hope of Gaborik returning until the last games of the season, the Wild can now look forward and move on. Gaborik is no longer the answer, and Risebrough must now look to the youth available in his organization, and to any and all possible help from outside the team.
 
Trades will be difficult to come by, as Risebrough has made it clear his top prospects are off limits, eliminating rebuilding teams from the talks, and the only true bargaining chip the Wild had to negotiate with Cup contenders has now effectively ended his season. Russo has also reported on the utter lack of NHL ready talent at the AHL affiliate Houston Aeros, so help from below is also unlikely. Risebrough also made mention, without explanation, that he will not put Gaborik on the Long-Term IR, which wourl free the cap space needed to possibly replace Gaborik.
 
That leaves very few options for the Wild, and after watching Risebrough and company in the past, they are much more likely to stand pat, let Jacques Lemaire work his magic, and see where the cards lay at the end of the season. Lemaire also seems to be waiting to get instruction from above for what the goal for the rest of the season may be. With one of the youngest teams in the league, one of the best goalies in the league in Niklas Backstrom, and several young rising stars (Mikko Koivu, Brent Burns, Nick Schultz), it would be difficult to believe the Wild want to enter a rebuilding period. However, it will take time for James Sheppard, Benoit Pouliot, Eric Reitz, Colton Gilles, and other developing youth to find their place on the team.
 
The loss of Gaborik, as devastating as it may be in the short term, may be just what the Wild needed as an organization. They can now look closer at developing the talent they have, and focus on issues other than Gaborik.
 
How the season plays out will depend completely on the remaining player’s ability to pull together as a team. They will need to score as a team, win as a team, and lose as a team. They no longer have the finisher they have relied on to win games for them. Koivu, Burns, and Schultz will need to step up, along with veterans Owen Nolan and Andrew Brunette, in order to right the ship and calm the young players.
 
A Stanley Cup run seems much less likely now than it did in October, but the Wild are still in playoff contention. Regardless of what Michael Russo suggests, the fans would much rather watch the team win and push for the playoffs than call it a season and bag it until April.
 
The Gaborik situation is resolved. It is now time for the team to focus on the season at hand.
 
The author can be reached at bryan.reynolds@prohockeynews.com