For the Rangers to have the type of season they and their fans hope for, Marian Gaborik is going to have to stay injury free and put up 40-plus goals. That's a lot of pressure to put on one player but that's why the Rangers shelled out $7.5 million annually for the ex-Wild right wing.
Actually, Gaborik skated on the left wing for the most part during today's completely informal team practice and said afterwards he'll play anywhere but is more comfortable and used to playing on the right side.
Gaborik has been skating at the MSG practice facility since Aug. 25 and reports that he is skating freely with no lingering hip issues. At the same time, he said it was important for him to come back for the end of last season - he had 13 goals and 10 assists in 17 games - to show that he was all right and it shouldn't be a lingering question going into this season.
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Other thoughts from Gaborik:
On skating so far with his new teammates: "I'm settling in, getting used to the guys, finding a place to live. The guys are great, everybody's helpful, like Dru (Chris Drury). It's a lot of good guys so far. It'll be a fun ride, hopefully. It's my second team in the NHL and I'm looking forward to the opportunity. It's a different vibe than Minnesota. I was in Minnesota for nine years and I had a great time there but now I've turned the page. I'm looking forward to New York and trying to play and help the team."
On his health: "I'm skating free. Before training camp (which opens Sept. 12) I'm hoping to tune things up. I'm excited."
On coming back at the end of last season. "I was very important, I tried to push it as much as I could. I'm glad I got out there."
On meeting with John Tortorella: "We've talked briefly, he's been working out in the gym. We've exchanged a few words. I'm sure there will be time for that."
On his ex-coach, Jacques Lemaire, taking the Devils job: "I'll see him six times. Good for him. Obviously he enjoys coaching. It'll be different, obviously. It'll be interesting. He knows me very well. It'll be interesting.
On what he learned from Lemaire: "Early on, I tried to play an all-around game. He taught me to take care of my stuff defensively and to try to do my own thing. Sometimes it was tough under him, the first few years but we figured each other out. He was my only coach, I was with him the longtest. It was a good ride."
Did he say Torts was working out in the gym? lol
Posted by: Rangers Tribune | September 01, 2009 at 02:05 PM
I'm sure that Torts likes to keep himself in shape, not just demand it of his players if it's a bug deal for him as he's making it into ... Which is important
Posted by: Matty | September 01, 2009 at 02:34 PM
if torts wasn't hitting the gym, the vein in his forehead wouldn't be so pronounced when he gets pissed
Posted by: amos | September 01, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Great sign that Gaborik and Drury are getting acclimated so they can work closer to develop chemistry on the ice...
Posted by: CP (Chris) | September 01, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Andrew hope you enjoyed vacation, looking forward to another year of your great coverage. Can't believe it is September 1 already.
Posted by: Mark | September 01, 2009 at 07:39 PM
Interesting:
CHAMPIONAT.RU: cited a Sport-Express interview with former NY Ranger Nikolai Zherdev who claimed his agent is in contact with several NHL teams, with the most serious discussions being with the Atlanta Thrashers. Zherdev said he's like to play for the Thrashers as they have several good Russian players.
Posted by: CP (Chris) | September 02, 2009 at 10:33 AM