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Gaborik to the Blue Jackets |
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The long-running soap opera of Marian Gaborik and John Tortorella has reached its conclusion and it's Gaborik who is heading out of town. The Rangers traded Gaborik, who was a two-time, 40-goal scorer for NY, to the Rangers Midwest, a future divisional rival, the Columbus Blue Jackets for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett, John Moore and a sixth-round pick.
The first thing that comes to mind is that Gaborik must have really wanted to get away from Tortorella to waive his NTC to go to Columbus. Nothing against Columbus, but the fact that he waived it is a good indication as to how badly he wanted to leave. In terms of the return, I like Brassard's upside, but to date he has done little to justify his selection as the 6th overall pick in 2009. In addition, can he mentally stand up to Torts' machinations and fit into the Rangers system. Dorsett fits the Rangers' style of play, but with a fractured collarbone, he is out for the year. I like Moore, as he profiles to be a 4/5 d-man and should play this year for New York.
The Rangers clearly wanted to move Gaborik and his $ but how do you not get back the first rounder you gave up in the Nash deal? Plus, you are having issues scoring and trade a past 40-goal scorer, without bringing any scoring back. The Rangers are now more of a grit and sandpaper type team, but in my opinion, are they much better than they were before this deal, no, and one can easily argue, they are worse. I hope Brassard pans out, but the pop-gun offense has gotten even worse.
I have been a Sather supporter, but right now, I am at a loss for what they are doing. That said, the long-term of the deal could be nice if, and these are big ifs, Brassard becomes the player thought of when he was drafted, Dorsett comes back before year-end and/or replaces Brandon Prust, Moore adds to the depth of solid d-men in the system and the money saved is utilized wisely.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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