Big Georges: "I'll be ready for the season"

R - Nice post and interesting but when did they say this would happen cuz right now i don't think it is possible as the Wild have offered him 8.7 million and he's declined. Our cap cushion is 1.8 million now so you can work it out.

I have mixed feelings about this kind of rumour. Of course it is tempting to go for someone of Gaborik's caliber. He's probably good for 40G 40A 80Pts, and he finished the season with a team high +17. No question he would help us.

But is the Sportsnet gang talking about a trade deadline deal? Everyone knows that talent like that costs a bundle at the deadline. For sure, BG would be considering some of the following:
1.) How much do you pay for a rental player, since Gaborik is a UFA on July 1? The currency will be prospects, not roster players.
2.) Does he fit with the long term plans and is he likely to want to stay?
3.) What happens to the team chemistry when he arrives, and who does he displace from the lineup?
4.) His current cap hit is $6.33M but his salary is $7.5M and he will no doubt be looking for a raise. So what does that do to your negotiations with UFAs currently on the team that you want to re-sign/extend? In other words, what are the long term salary cap implications and what does it do to the core of the team?
5.) If you are trading for him only as a rental, how much are you willing to trade away for him? Higgins? I doubt it. Not for a rental, when Higgins can fit into the long terms plans of the team. It would more likely be a package of Bulldogs that will have trouble cracking our lineup. Two or three of the following: Weber, Valentenko, D'Agostini, Ben Maxwell, Fischer. I don't think BG would deal Max Pac or McDonagh for a rental. The others have upside and will likely play in the NHL, so Minnisota might be interested, but not too much value to pay for a rental.