Stalemate ends with 3-year, $10M deal
ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Wild re-signed right wing Marian Gaborik to a multiyear deal, Wild president and general manager Doug Risebrough announced in a statement Friday.
He signed a three-year deal worth $10 million, plus bonuses, reports ESPN the Magazine's E.J. Hradek.
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Gaborik, a restricted free agent who had rejected Minnesota's previous contract offers, skated with the team Friday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center. It was the first time he has practiced with the Wild since the season began.
The signing comes after negotiations appeared to have fallen apart on Monday, as both sides traded angry statements suggesting a long impasse could lie ahead.
Gaborik traveled from his native Slovakia to Minnesota earlier this month and shuffled agents hoping to reach a deal. The All-Star right wing left frustrated Monday, saying he was "very disappointed" that nothing was accomplished after two face-to-face meetings with Wild management.
But Gaborik, who rejected one offer this summer and another two days before training camp, returned to the Twin Cities on Thursday night. He agreed to his contract Friday morning in time for practice.
"I wanted to play -- that's the most important thing right now," Gaborik said Friday. "I'm glad to be back."
Gaborik declined to discuss the specifics of the negotiations and repeatedly stressed his excitement to be back with his teammates.
Tom Lynn, the Wild's assistant general manager, didn't elaborate on the deal's specifics either. "The best way to put it is Marian took ahold of the situation himself."
Gaborik was initially represented by Allan Walsh, but on Oct. 13 he instructed Walsh's partner, David Schatia, to take over the negotiations. Two days later, Gaborik left his native Slovakia for Minnesota hoping a deal could be done.
He switched agents again this week, choosing Ron Salcer -- who works for another firm. Speaking after practice, Gaborik wouldn't elaborate on his decision or much of anything else.
"What happened in the past, happened in the past," he said. "Maybe some things didn't have to happen, but what I wanted to do was come back."
Two previous face-to-face meetings with Wild management accomplished nothing and Gaborik issued a statement Monday through by his Montreal-based agent. "I am very disappointed with these developments, especially after last season's successful playoff run," Gaborik said at the time.
The Wild advanced to the Western Conference finals last season, the franchise's third.
Risebrough responded by saying the Wild's foundation "has always been about team first and not one player.
"Gaborik's agents have disrespected the abilities and accomplishments of his teammates and have demanded that Marian be treated differently," Risebrough said at the time.
Gaborik, 21, the Wild's first-ever draft pick and only All-Star selection, became a restricted free agent after leading the team with 30 goals in 2002-03, his third NHL season.
Gaborik also led the Wild in playoff scoring with 17 points, on nine goals and eight assists, in 18 games.
The Wild's initial offer to Gaborik -- a four-year contract worth $9.5 million, starting at $1.5 million per season -- was turned down by agent Allan Walsh in June, and the stalemate began.
The Wild have won three straight games to improve to 4-6-1, but only one player (Alexandre Daigle with four) has more than two goals.
"I know Gabby wanted to come back," said forward Pascal Dupuis, another restricted free agent who didn't sign until last week.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
