Kings Article: Marian Gaborik Has Been Just What The Doctor Ordered For The LA Kings

[FrozenRoyalty]

Marian Gaborik Has Been Just What The Doctor Ordered For The LA Kings

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[PJ Kings Hockey]

Excellent article, Gann. It's good to hear the insights of several players on exactly how Gaborik has fit in. I also like hearing how Gaborik recognizes how well the Kings players mesh together and how they take pride in being tight and one unit. Reporters keep asking Gaborik how he has fit in and this article captures exactly that. Very thorough work!

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Excellent article, Gann. It's good to hear the insights of several players on exactly how Gaborik has fit in. I also like hearing how Gaborik recognizes how well the Kings players mesh together and how they take pride in being tight and one unit. Reporters keep asking Gaborik how he has fit in and this article captures exactly that. Very thorough work!

My thoughts exactly! Nice job, Gann.

Bodes well for keeping him, too

 

[Luc Gretzky]

I have been so happy with Gabbo's game, and it's so cool seeing a player with 1st tier talent playing with Kopitar. It's even cooler that neither he nor Kopitar were ever able to skate with a player as good as themselves (or at least over a long period of time), but have complimentarily different skill-sets.

Gaborik was one of my favorite players to watch when he was on MIN, and I think he's definitely got 2-3 really good more years in him.

 

[Another Carter Snipe]

The chemistry the two have is awesome. At times it feels like they've been playing for years with how they pass. Love seeing Gaborik with that smooth, effortless pass through defender's skates right to Kopitar. Nice give-and-go game chemistry between the two.

 

[Travtera]

Quick glance and saw the words "Gaborik" and "doctor" in the title and had a mini panic attack. My biggest fear is that he turns into Simon Gagne 2.0 for us. Love what he's bringing so far!

 

[Silver Tuna]

Quick glance and saw the words "Gaborik" and "doctor" in the title and had a mini panic attack. My biggest fear is that he turns into Simon Gagne 2.0 for us. Love what he's bringing so far!

That was my thought exactly. LOL

 

[etherialone]

12 with a sick sick pass to Kopi who one timed it for a great goal.

The way that 12 holds his stick with his hands up so high is contrary to everything I know and have been taught by some of the greatest coaches in Hockey history but man does he make it work.

 

[HockeyThoughts]

Great article. So happy to see Gabby excelling! I have loved Marian Gaborik since his Minnesota Wild days and I felt the LA Kings were an extremely dangerous team even before his acquisition.

You guys are about to witness a very interesting first round to say the least. Gaborik can only help the Kings prevail against an extremely talenged and deep team in the San Jose Sharks.

 

[theMajor]

I have been so happy with Gabbo's game, and it's so cool seeing a player with 1st tier talent playing with Kopitar. It's even cooler that neither he nor Kopitar were ever able to skate with a player as good as themselves (or at least over a long period of time), but have complimentarily different skill-sets.

Gaborik was one of my favorite players to watch when he was on MIN, and I think he's definitely got 2-3 really good more years in him.

I've always thought highly of Gaborik, but seeing him play with Kopitar makes me realize not only how good Gaborik is, but how good Kopi is as well. Hes my favorite King by a country mile and sometimes I feel like I take his skill for granted. as Sutter said, hes one of (if not) the best two way center in the game....having Gabby on his line only strengthens that argument

 

[Steve Zissou]

Great article. So happy to see Gabby excelling! I have loved Marian Gaborik since his Minnesota Wild days and I felt the LA Kings were an extremely dangerous team even before his acquisition.

You guys are about to witness a very interesting first round to say the least. Gaborik can only help the Kings prevail against an extremely talenged and deep team in the San Jose Sharks.

Kings are 3-1 in the Season Series against The Guppies.

I like our chances.

 

[T2M]

Kings are 3-1 in the Season Series against The Guppies.

I like our chances.

Tonight will be the test, but we have to remember, there's no shootout in the playoffs which is how SJ beat us. I too like our chances.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Gaborik and Kopitar are so good out there together I often forget Williams is also on their line. Gaborik needs to be re-signed, the Kings have needed a player with his skill set, makes the Kings incredibly difficult to match up against.

 

[Nefarious]

Got me some major man-crush for Gabby. Hope he signs with club next year. With the way he's mingling with the guys, seems like he's really enjoying things especially on Kopi's line. At this point, I'd be surprised if he doesn't sign.

*edit* Oh yeah, great article.

 

[cyclones22]

I really hope that dollars don't win out in the end. He's been well paid his entire career and it seems like he's been seamlessly integrated into this team on the ice and hopefully the locker room as well. That would have to play into his decision making, I would think. Please don't go all Jagr and sign with the highest bidder every time regardless of team outlook.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

I really hope that dollars don't win out in the end. He's been well paid his entire career and it seems like he's been seamlessly integrated into this team on the ice and hopefully the locker room as well. That would have to play into his decision making, I would think. Please don't go all Jagr and sign with the highest bidder every time regardless of team outlook.

If I were a gambling man, I'd bet he re-signs. You'd have to guess DL did his homework and Dl always buys low. Gaborik probably would actually consider about 5-10 teams to play for and how many of those teams will want him? I bet the Kings sign him for 3-4 years at $6-$6.5M (maybe less if the term is 4 years). The injury risk concerns me but the Kings are good with or without him and there aren't going to be any better options out there. I think Gaborik is a good fit for the Kings and vice versa.

 

[Steve Zissou]

This is gold!

TRH TRADE RECAP™: Marian Gaborik Edition

Hard to believe that we got Gabby for Matt Frickin' Frattin + picks AND Columbus retained salary this year.

Dean Lombardi on the trade:

“If Marian does what he’s capable of and brings it to this team, then yes… Like I said, the other thing about this we didn’t talk about why I kind of like this is I think in talking about team. You know how I feel about mercenaries. The other thing I liked about this…Columbus gave us permission to talk to his agent. Marian wanted to come here before, don’t forget, before he went to New York, but I didn’t think it was the right time. He was very interested in playing here but I thought where our franchise was at, it wasn’t the right time.

I thought we needed to put other things in place first before you added a player like this. That kind of dovetails. If he wanted to be here then, and now, okay, he’s coming here. He’s talked to his agent. He clearly wanted to come here. He’d like to stay here. I like this that he’s coming here with the purpose of staying here versus some of things you saw out there with some of the free agents where the player says, I’m going July 1st.

I love that we went after a player that could fit in down the line, rather than just a rental.

 

[AnThGrt]

Gaborik, AO, Brodeur, Jagr, and Simmonds are my favorite non-Kings. Was ecstatic when we got Gaborik, really hope he stays. Finally have a legit LWer for Kopitar and it shows.

 

[johnjm22]

I think many are exaggerating how well Gaborik has performed so far. He's been pretty good, not spectacular or anything.

I know he's not the same player he used to be, but I still think he's capable of more, and I hope the best is yet to come.

 

[KingKopitar11*]

I think many are exaggerating how well Gaborik has performed so far. He's been pretty good, not spectacular or anything.

I know he's not the same player he used to be, but I still think he's capable of more, and I hope the best is yet to come.

I don't think you realize how bad players adjust to the Kings style. Really seems like you're underestimating his impact, especially how well he's done so quickly. Richards took months. Carter took like 10+ games to get a bit more customed to the Kings.

He will only get better and game by game he's looked more lethal. And the amount he's produced this fast is pretty awesome.

That pass yesterday to Kopitar was the type of pass that no other King could pull off.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Meanwhile, Frattin has only appeared in 2 games for Columbus and has been a regular healthy scratch. Poor guy seems to be on his way to becoming another Scott Parse, a player who had a lot of promise in college who's game just didn't translate well to the NHL.

I think many are exaggerating how well Gaborik has performed so far. He's been pretty good, not spectacular or anything.

I know he's not the same player he used to be, but I still think he's capable of more, and I hope the best is yet to come.

You couldn't be more wrong, or at least I think you are seriously understating his impact. He's made the Kings a more dangerous and potent team. He creates plenty of scoring chances thanks to his speed and his passing ability, something not many people talked about when he was acquired.

He's opened up so much room for Kopitar and his addition has made the Kings a deeper squad.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Gaborik's biggest impact isn't calculated by his point production totals...

I can't remember the last time we've been able to roll 4 lines that can score, cycle, and bang along the boards...

...and when has Kopitar ever had someone that can keep up with him and dish him the puck?

 

[johnjm22]

I don't think you realize how bad players adjust to the Kings style. Really seems like you're underestimating his impact, especially how well he's done so quickly. Richards took months. Carter took like 10+ games to get a bit more customed to the Kings.

He will only get better and game by game he's looked more lethal. And the amount he's produced this fast is pretty awesome.

That pass yesterday to Kopitar was the type of pass that no other King could pull off.

Mike Richards started scoring immediately upon his insertion into the lineup. He had 9 points in his first 9 games, and was the Kings most consistent scorer before suffering a concussion.

You're right though, it does take players time to adjust, which proves exactly what I'm saying. He's been pretty good; NOT great, and he can be better. You're basically agreeing with me.

Gaborik's biggest impact isn't calculated by his point production totals...

Yes, that's true. It's much like when Carter came to the Kings. He just balanced out the rest of the lineup, even though he didn't score at all in his first 3 games.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Mike Richards started scoring immediately upon his insertion into the lineup. He had 9 points in his first 9 games, and was the Kings most consistent scorer before suffering a concussion.

You're right though, it does take players time to adjust, which proves exactly what I'm saying. He's been pretty good; NOT great, and he can be better. You're basically agreeing with me.


Yes, that's true. It's much like when Carter came to the Kings. He just balanced out the rest of the lineup, even though he didn't score at all in his first 3 games.

I think it's just how you framed it. I think it came off as 'he's not that good' when what you're really saying is he's just getting started if I'm reading you right. And I totally agree with that--he's just starting to get warm. But I also think the others are right in a sense--his insertion into the lineup immediately made the team better even if his play wasn't instantly inspiring.

Either way, yum.

 

[johnjm22]

You couldn't be more wrong, or at least I think you are seriously understating his impact. He's made the Kings a more dangerous and potent team. He creates plenty of scoring chances thanks to his speed and his passing ability, something not many people talked about when he was acquired.

He's opened up so much room for Kopitar and his addition has made the Kings a deeper squad.

So you don't think he can be better at all?

I realize he's the infallible shiny new toy right now, but lets be realistic. He's scoring at 17 goal pace since coming here.

And Kopitar was already scoring at a higher rate before Gaborik was acquired. In the 10 games preceding Gaborik's arrival, Kopitar was averaging 1.1 points per game. Post-Gaborik that number has dropped to .92 points per game.

I like what I've seen from him so far, and he's made us a deeper more balanced team, but I've watched him his whole career and I know he can be better. I'll be slightly disappointed with him if the best isn't yet to come.