Marian Gaborik Signs With Rangers

When Marian Gaborik turned down a ten-year, $78 million offer from the Wild last summer, it was clearly not just about the money.

After all, a $7.8 million annual average was about as much as he could possibly hope to earn, especially if he got a ten-year deal. Instead, this was about a fresh start for Gaborik. That fresh start will happen in New York, after Gaborik agreed to a five-year deal with the Rangers Wednesday evening.

The deal won't give Gaborik the $7.8 million annual average, or the $78 million overall value, that the Wild offer would have netted him.

However, it gets him under the big-city lights of New York, playing for a Ranger team desperately seeking a star, and it gets him -- according to the TSN report -- $7.5 million per year.

Gaborik was injured for much of the 2008-2009 season, but came on late in the year to end with 13 goals and 23 points. The 42 goals and 83 points he had the year before represent career highs in both categories. While Gaborik struggled in the 2008 playoffs against Colorado, he was great for the Wild in their run to the Western Conference Finals back in 2003.

If he's healthy, there's no question Gaborik can be a difference-maker for the Rangers. The groin issues he's had in the past create serious question marks, and it's always different when you move from a place like Minnesota to New York.

This deal probably leaves Dany Heatley with Ottawa, unless he changes his mind and approves a deal to Edmonton (assuming, of course, that Edmonton still wants him).