When talking about the New York Rangers, a lot of people seem to think that because Brad Richards is now a part of the team, it is automatic that winger Marian Gaborik will explode this season points-wise.
While there is some truth in that, in the end, it is really up to Gaborik when it comes to how much he produces. Sure, it will certainly be easier with someone who can feed him the puck and create opportunities for him but if he has trouble finishing, none of that will matter.
While there is some truth in that, in the end, it is really up to Gaborik when it comes to how much he produces. Sure, it will certainly be easier with someone who can feed him the puck and create opportunities for him but if he has trouble finishing, none of that will matter.
Last season, it was easy to see that Gaborik struggled to score at the same rate he did in his first season on Broadway. Yes, his stats pack shows that he scored 22 times last season; but when looking deeper into that, he scored more than half of those against teams like the New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, posting a hat trick against each team.
Against other opponents, for the most part, Gaborik was not noticeable. He struggled to finish, struggled to find the open holes that he was used to getting in and just did not look like the same player that scored 42 goals in 2009-10.
This season, it will be up to Gaborik to have a bounce back year. He will need to be able to play and communicate with Richards, able to get his shot on net and, most importantly, once again become a noticeable player on the Blueshirts night in and night out. If Gaborik can return to being that lethal goal-scorer from two years ago, it will only help the Rangers' playoff chances in a deeper Eastern Conference this season.
Again, Richards may obviously have an effect when it comes to Gaborik's point and goal totals. But in the end, it is up to Gaborik to go back to being Gaborik.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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