[rumor] Gaborik offered 3 yr extension by Kings

[Axeman33]

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-...tract-by-kings

The Los Angeles Kings clearly had a good thing going by the end of the season, which saw them hoist the Stanley Cup again. So you can understand why they would be keen on keeping Marian Gaborik around.

Acquired at the deadline from Columbus when his value was down, Gaborik played well for the Kings down the stretch and then started doing what he does best in the playoffs: score goals. He finished the postseason with 14 goals, by far the most in the playoffs to put his name in the company of Wayne Gretzky.

But there was always the potential when the Kings got Gaborik that he would be a rental-type, a player they might not be able to afford to re-sign in terms of the salary cap. According to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, though, they're going to give it a go.

The Kings aren't trading Mike Richards or buying him out. That's the plan. But they aren't happy paying a third- or fourth-liner first-line money and they've told him that. Los Angeles wants to keep leading playoff goal scorer Marian Gaborik -- they've offered three years and $15 million, which would require a hometown discount of sorts. To keep Gaborik and Richards, it means sacrificing a veteran free agent defenceman like Willie Mitchell or Matt Greene.

Indeed, that would be quite the discount. Gaborik just finished a five-year contract that had a cap hit of $7.5 million. While he's 32 now and it is fair to think his cost should go down as he exits his prime, it's tough to believe Gaborik wouldn't be able to get much more on the free-agent market. Still, the chance to stay with a Stanley Cup team could be intriguing enough to consider a bit of a discount, it will depend on what Gaborik wants most.


Something to keep in mind, though; the Kings probably can afford to go a little higher on a potential contract with Gaborik, they just (rightly) want to keep it down as much as they can. But they already have 18 players signed for next season and roughtly $13 million left below the cap according to Cap Geek.

Keeping Gaborik would probably lead to saying goodbye to either Willie Mitchell or Matt Greene -- both are also free agents. Each obviously played big parts in both of LA's recent Cups but they have five other Dmen under contract already and could fill the sixth/seventh spots on D for a cheaper price, possibly from within.

In other words if they want Gaborik, they should be able to keep Gaborik. It might take a little more money and term but the Kings should be able to do it. Considering what he gave them after the trade, you'd think they'd really want to keep him, too.

[plug]

He made some cash before... He fits and likes playing with Kopitar... He will stay a king.

[deantime419]

I think they'll meet at 6m per.

[kovalchuk17]

i think theyll meet at 4 years 5.5m per. itll be much easier finding an easier alternate for their #5-6 dman spots than a goal-scorer like gaborik, no brainer.

[JagrBomb]

i hope he re-signs, could get brown back up to 50 points if he sticks on that line

[Big Baby]

I can see 3 years 20 million.
6.66 per year.

Second highest forward salary. Just under the captain Kopitar.

[Shiva Blaster]

Nice contract length, he should be able to get a full 82 games in over those 3 years....

[golfguy1672]

I can see 3 years 20 million.
6.66 per year.

Second highest forward salary. Just under the captain Kopitar.

Although I make this mistake on a regular basis, the captain is Dustin Brown. But I agree Anze should be it

[The Bottlenecker]

What does this potential signing do to youngsters Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson's fantasy value?

[Happy Hour]

What does this potential signing do to youngsters Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson's fantasy value?

I don't think it will impact Toffoli much. He is in line for PP2 time and Top 6 minutes with our without Gabby I believe. Darryl Sutter showed a lot of faith in him throughout their playoff run. I think Pearson might be impacted more if he signs but much will become clearer over the next week.

[roenick27]

I don't think it would do much to it. A lot can change but I think they'd go with:
Gabby-kopitar-brown/Williams
Pearson-carter-toffoli
Williams/brown-stoll-king/Clifford/lewis

Again I'm not a kings expert but something like that would see them getting top 6 minutes

What does this potential signing do to youngsters Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson's fantasy value?

[doulos]

Highly competitive team that can pay you a great salary and gives you great weather and not massive pressure. Pretty much the perfect place for anyone to play. I mean other than the giant earthquake that is going to remove that area of the world from the map eventually, but you can't factor that into any equation realistically

[Zorro]

I wouldn't give any more then the 3 years at $5 million per!! That is a fair contract if the player wants to play on a winner!!

[glorybe23]

Nice contract length, he should be able to get a full 82 games in over those 3 years....

haha

Gaborik is the prime example to give a bonus clad contract too. We all know his [insert previous injury here] will go out around late November.

[donpaulo]

The issue for Gaborik has always been his health. When he is healthy an on his game, he is a game breaker. Especially with his nasty snap shot off the rush.

A 3 year deal will probably result in 1 great season, 1 mediocre season and 1 lousy season.

Skating with Anze maybe Gaborik can pot 50.