Gaborik scored 41 goals last year and he's been playing well lately. You can argue against that statement as much as you want, but he's been playing great on both sides of the puck. He just can't score. Just like Higgins when we had him. He's snakebitten and a change of scenery will definitely help him whether that entails changing the system by firing Torts or trading him. I don't think trading Gaborik within the conference for a bottom-six player and a winger that benefits greatly from playing with the best goal scorer in the game is the wisest decision.
However, I do think a trade is necessary if we want to win now. He can't score, but no one on the team is scoring. I believe he's one of the more valuable pieces of the team, and subtracting him can benefit the team only if we get depth back. There are better suitors for Gaborik such as Nashville, Winnipeg, Detroit, and somewhat St. Louis that can offer quality depth on defense and offense along with futures to bolster the farm.
That's my two cents. I agree with trading Gaborik now, but only if we get what we need to win now. Purcell and Thompson aren't going to change anything.
First off, I'm entertaining trade ideas bases around Gaborik because I think he goes before Torts does, my opinion.
Secondly, I think Purcell and Thompson would be great here. Purcell wouldn't benefit from playing with Nash, Richards, or Stepan? Definitely more so than Hagelin, Boyle, or anyone else on the roster would/has. Purcell is a solid scorer.
And Thompson really isn't just another "bottom six guy." He's a sparkplug that's pretty damn solid on faceoffs. He's also real physical and never backs down. He could possibly have a Prust-like effect like when we received him from Calgary. Pruster wasn't just another "bottom sixer."
I think if we move Gaborik this is the type of return we should expect, and I think it's a good one that could help the team now. His value isn't that high, and we need help now. Hank's not getting younger, and our cap situation is only going to get tighter. Even if a team does offer a solid prospect or two, I'd still take this hypothetical trade. We got prospects (Fasth, Lindberg, Miller, and heck even Kreider still). We need NHLers.
And you said it yourself. I don't give a **** about how well Gaborik's playing. He's not a kid or prospect, or even a Higgins-level player. He's a 7.5 mil a year player who's paid to score goals. When he's not scoring he's not playing well. He's not a Nash that brings other positives to the ice. He scores goals, and that's about it.
