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

[Raccoon Jesus]

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.

I know this isn't your overall point but I just want to interject that we also need realistic expectations. Not everyone on our team is going to score to their potential every year otherwise we'd probably have hands-down one of the best teams ever assembled. Just off the top of my head, guys that have scored 40 are Carter and Gaborik. Guys that have scored 30 are Kopitar, Richards, Brown, Williams. Stoll has put up 20+ . Doughty has put up nearly 60 points. Teams share points--they're not always going to be this way. If just those top 6 scored to that potential, we'd already have more goals than the Kings have this year without counting anyone else's production.

Sorry for the tangent--just want us to be realistic and temper expectations. We can't assume that putting Heatley with Thornton will automatically equal 70 goals just like putting Miller on the Blues won't up his save percentage dramatically. I think 20-25 goals and 65 points is realistic if Gaborik plays a whole season with Kopitar as a baseline; anything more is absolutely do-able but would be fantastic.

 

[Garfinkel1]

Ranger fan here. Glad he's doing so well. I thought it was a MAJOR mistake letting him go when we did but i'm glad he's showing the league once again, he's a top-tier former 40 goal scorer. Glad he's killing it for you.

With Gabs, I see the Kings as a cup contender this year. Kings or Blackhawks to take the west. No question about it. (not the place for it, I know..)

Great article.