We all knew that there has been trade speculation surrounding the Rangers' Marian Gaborik for the past couple of months. Today the organization decided to take the next step and go in a different direction by dealing Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Derick Brassard, John Moore, Derek Dorsett & a 6th Round Draft Pick. Since joining the New York Rangers as a free agent in the '08/'09 season Gabby has tallied 114 goals and 115 assists in 255 games played.
With a cap hit of $7.5 million and one year remaining on his deal many believed Gaborik would be moved either at the deadline (today) or in the off-season. As a fan It is going to be tough to see the team part ways with the guy who has single handedly carried this team offensively for the past 4 seasons. With crucial free-agent signings to come this off-season in Stepan, Hagelin, and Del Zotto - Gaborik became the expendable piece. Taking the fact that the Salary Cap is going to be going down next season into consideration, his salary would have become a serious crunch on the books.
It is no shock which direction the team is moving with here. They have brought over players in this trade that fit perfectly into the John Tortorella mold. John Moore is a 22 year old, left-shooting defenseman who was a former first round pick of Columbus in 2009. In 86 career games Moore has just 16 points, and is highly regarded as a solid two-way defenseman. Having some defensive depth certainly never hurt any team.
Derick Brassard is another former 6th overall pick of the Blue Jackets who has yet to really break out as a top offensive player in this league. At only 25 years old the chance to do so with a new club could be just the right fit for him. In his 309 games played as a pro he has 58 goals and 111 assists. It will be interesting to see how he fits in on this Rangers team that is suddenly in search of a goal scorer outside of Rick Nash. As for the last "active" piece to this trade, the Rangers have also acquired Derek Dorsett. Dorsett is currently "inactive" with a broken clavicle, but as Katie Strang of ESPN has reported, he could return at the end of the season. Dorsett is the "mucker" the Rangers have been searching for within the lineup. It will be nice to see what exactly these new faces can do for the team.
Simply put Gaborik wasn't producing at the level he is capable of, and because of the salary-crunch the Rangers face next season he's on his way out. Did his relationship with Torts speed up, or exemplify the process? Of course it did. In the end of all this, Gabby needed to approve the trade to Columbus, and he did. Do you blame him? He can go to a new team, new coach, new system, and get a fresh start. For the exceptional player that he was as a part of the Rangers organization I hope he regains form, and can have an immediate impact for the Blue Jackets.
Looking ahead, It is going to be a very interesting season next year with Columbus in our division. With all the Rangers that have found a second home in Ohio, and now all the former Blue Jackets dawning Blue-shirts it should make for some real fun divisional games.
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