Marian Gaborik appreciation thread

[Bandit]

Yeah, I know he was a warm bucket of hamster vomit the last couple seasons, but it's unlikely the 2014 cup happens without him. Despite the way it ended, thanks for everything, Ferrari.

Click to read more...

 

[Herby]

There have been a lot of threads and discussions over the years about how important certain players were to the cup teams and whether they would have won without them.

There is ZERO debate that the Kings would not have won in 2014 without Gaborik. I don't know if I ever remember a playoff run where a single player scored more significant goals. Was his Game 7 goal in Anaheim the only one that was in a blowout?

Edit looked it up

Vs Sharks

Game 3- Scored to put Kings up 2-1
Game 4- Scored to put Kings up 1-0
Game 4- Scored to put Kings up 5-2

Vs. Ducks

Game 1- Scored to tie game at 3-3 with 7 seconds left and force OT (Kings win)
Game 1- Scored OT GWG
Game 2- Scored on first shift to put Kings up 1-0
Game 5- Scored to get Kings to 4-2
Game 5- Scored to get Kings to 4-3
Game 7- Scored to put Kings up 5-0

Vs. Hawks

Game 4- Scored to put Kings up 2-0
Game 5- Scored to get Kings to 3-2
Game 7- Scored to tie the game at 4-4 and force OT (Kings win)

Vs. Rangers

Game 2- Scored to tie the game at 4-4 and force OT (Kings win)
Game 5- Scored to tie the game at 2-2 and force OT (Kings win)

It was a magnificent playoff run.

 

[tny760]

Yeah, I know he was a warm bucket of hamster vomit the last couple seasons, but it's unlikely the 2014 cup happens without him. Despite the way it ended, thanks for everything, Ferrari.

all over the slot and front of the net in almost all those playoff goals

just never seemed to happen again

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Was awesome in 2014. Absolute perfect addition to the team. Did what it took to win by going to the front of the net and helped the Kings win the cup.

That probably should've been the end of it though. Could've had Iginla for a couple million more but four years fewer.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I love how often he would up on his ass after scoring a goal, and that was because he was willing to pay the price to score a big goal.

It's also insane how many crucial goals he scored during that run. The game tying and winning goals against the Ducks, the game tying goal in Game 7 against the Blackhawks, the game tying goal in Game 5 against the Rangers.

The decline we saw in Gaborik's game was inevitable, but the Kings got exactly what they wanted out of him when they acquired him from the Blue Jackets, and he delivered.

It's not too dissimilar to what the '94 Rangers did. They sold their soul and mortgaged the future for that Stanley Cup, but they certainly don't regret it, especially after that 54 year drought.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Clutch, heroic goal scoring. Earned himself a cup and a retirement contract.

Live long, and prosper, Marian.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I love how often he would up on his ass after scoring a goal, and that was because he was willing to pay the price to score a big goal.

It's also insane how many crucial goals he scored during that run. The game tying and winning goals against the Ducks, the game tying goal in Game 7 against the Blackhawks, the game tying goal in Game 5 against the Rangers.

The decline we saw in Gaborik's game was inevitable, but the Kings got exactly what they wanted out of him when they acquired him from the Blue Jackets, and he delivered.

It's not too dissimilar to what the '94 Rangers did. They sold their soul and mortgaged the future for that Stanley Cup, but they certainly don't regret it, especially after that 54 year drought.

That's the thing that sticks out the most. Well, and 14 playoff goals, obviously. But that most of them were him getting pasted in front of the net to make it happen was so cathartic after hearing him being called a no-heart loser by fans of his previous teams. And the trade to make it happen of course was pure magic, that's exactly what everyone tries to do every deadline and 9 times out of 10 it fails miserably.

 

[Bandit]

That's the thing that sticks out the most. Well, and 14 playoff goals, obviously. But that most of them were him getting pasted in front of the net to make it happen was so cathartic after hearing him being called a no-heart loser by fans of his previous teams. And the trade to make it happen of course was pure magic, that's exactly what everyone tries to do every deadline and 9 times out of 10 it fails miserably.

Matt god damn Frattin... LOLwhut????

 

[LAKings88]

Always liked Gabby.

Thanks for 2014.

Best of luck.

 

[SlimCharles]

I've been a huge fan of Gaborik for a long time. I remember watching him and the Wild destroy the Kings at Staples with my brother in 06/07. Seeing him in person made me realize how good he really was and I always wanted him on the Kings. It finally happened in 2014 and look what he helped the Kings get. Thank you Marian, you're a great King.

 

[Herby]

Matt god damn Frattin... LOLwhut????

The Kings started that season with Matt Frattin and Mike Richards on the 2nd line. I don't think either one was an NHL caliber player at that point.

Went from

Brown-Kopitar-Williams
Frattin-Richards- Carter

to

Gaborik-Kopitar-Brown
Pearson-Carter-Toffoli

And that let Williams dominate on the third line. That was when Lombardi was at the top of his game.

 

[KINGS17]

One more excellent season after the 2014 run. Too bad some of the other key players didn't show up in 2014-15.

 

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for 14' Gabby! Glad you got your Cup. Good luck in the future.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

One of my all-time favourite players. Was glad that he was able to get some seasons in with the Kings (best Slovakian players always seem to be in LA) and got his cup.

 

[Legionnaire]

One of my all-time favourite players. Was glad that he was able to get some seasons in with the Kings (best Slovakian players always seem to be in LA) and got his cup.

I too thought of the Slovak connection. Too bad weren't able to land Chara too.

 

[alko]

If im correct, he is one of the best trade deadline deal in the history. Reflecting to the Cup run. And maybe he is the best goalscorer from all trade deadline acquisitions (have to be researched).

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

Gabby was money in 2014, no cup that year without him. For that, I will always be grateful. Such a shame his body and age have taken their toll

 

[Steve Zissou]

Damn, seeing those Gabby goals brought how much fun that 2014 run was. Unbelievable!

 

[mrkolice]

gl. he was one of my fav kings, will miss him. sadly too many injuries.

 

[Sol]

Clutch, heroic goal scoring. Earned himself a cup and a retirement contract.

Live long, and prosper, Marian.

Can't really blame him for checking out either. Injury prone and winning a title. I would probably half ass it too unwillingly

 

[Albi]

I'll never forget what he did in the Spring of '14.
No Marian, No Cup.

Thank for the memories, Champion!

 

[KingsFan7824]

Most Goals in One Playoff Season by NHL Players

Tied for the 6th most goals in a single playoff tournament all time. 14 in 26 games isn't as good as John Druce, but Gaborik's name is up there with some other decent players.

 

[Pandaman11]

The extension was a huge mistake the moment it was signed, he has been an empty shell since.

However, the 2014 Cup doesn't happen without him. Thank you, Gabby

 

[KINGS17]

The Gaborik extension was done because Dean thought this team had a shot at a back-to-back.

The length of the contract was done to lower the cap hit. Everyone was pretty much on board with that concept due to cup fever.

Gaborik showed up the first year of the deal and had a great season with 27 goals. Other key players crapped the bed.

 

[KingsHockey24]

Easy to like person; thanks for 14' Gabbo.