Report: NY Rangers Winger Marian Gaborik Has Torn Rotator Cuff

The news today is rather grim if you're a New York Rangers fan.

Marian Gaborik, who led the New York Rangers in goals during the regular season with 41, has a torn rotator cuff according to several reports, including a Slovakian newspaper, and will need five to six months to recover from the injury.

The news is also being reported by Larry Brooks of the New York Post, who tweeted the following:

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Marian Gaborik will need surgery on rotator cuff...

"

"— Larry Brooks(@NYP_Brooksie) June 1, 2012"

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Gaborik will undergo surgery next week upon returning to NY from Slovakia...had MRI on Tuesday...

— Larry Brooks(@NYP_Brooksie) June 1, 2012"

According to the winger, he suffered the injury with two months remaining in the season and tried injections to suppress the pain, but the strength in his shoulder escaped him. 

This would explain Gaborik's lack of production during the playoffs, finishing with five goals in 20 postseason games. Despite the injury, Gaborik never left the lineup and was the hero of the triple-overtime thriller against the Washington Capitals.

The devastating news throws a major wrench into the Rangers' off-season plan, and the first few months of next season will be without their biggest offensive threat. Factor in the potential of a work stoppage when the current CBA expires on September 15 and there's a chance—albeit small—Marian Gaborik doesn't play at all next season.

Whatever Glen Sather and Co. had planned for the off-season to improve the team just got a bit more complicated.

More on this story as it develops...