Marian Gaborik's Top Ten Picks for Teams

With the Stanley Cup Finals starting tomorrow, it is fitting to discuss the type of player who has enough talent to lead a team on a deep playoff run.

New York Rangers right wing Marian Gaborik is one of the best players in the NHL. At 29-years-old, he still has time to make a strong contribution to any team he plays for.

Just two years ago, Gaborik had 42 goals and 44 assists with the Rangers, and in 2007-08 with the Minnesota Wild, Gaborik had 42 goals and 41 assists. This year has not worked out so well for Gaborik, who finished 69^th overall with 22 goals and 144^th with 26 assists. Gaborik is known as being a streaky player, but no one wants to face him when he’s hot.  

Here is a list of teams that might want to make Gaborik their next All-Star.

10. Buffalo Sabres

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 26: The Buffalo Sabres congratulate the Philadelphia Flyers after they won 5 to 2 in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on April 26, 2011 in Philadelp

The Sabres made it to the playoffs this year, and pushed their first round opponent, the Philadelphia Flyers, to a Game 7, but there was one thing lacking: offense. Goalie Ryan Miller carried the team. The Sabres should have advanced, considering the Flyers couldn’t decide on a goalie. Gaborik and Sabres left wing Thomas Vanek would be a tough duo if they were to be on the same line.

9. Pittsburgh Penguins

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PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 25: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguin taps the puck past Martin Biron #43 of the Philadelphia Flyers to tie the game at three in the second period during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Round of the 2009 NHL

We were able to see this year, with injuries to superstars, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, what the Penguins are really like. They are just plain average and lack offense. In the playoffs this year against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team looked lost during power plays because they had no leadership. Adding Gaborik would give the Penguins the fire power they need to make another Stanley Cup push. The Penguins have no depth: The team’s lead goal scorer in playoffs was veteran Aaron Asham and their leading scorer in regular season—other than Chris Kunitz—had only 23 goals.

8. Carolina Hurricanes

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 04: Bryan Bickell #29 and Dave Bolland #36 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate Bickell's 1st period goal next to Jamie McBain #4 and Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes at the United Center on March 4, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Hurricanes just missed out on the playoffs this year, but three of Carolina’s centers led their team in scoring. Eric Staal needs a complimentary player. Erik Cole had a good year, but he is aging. Jeff Skinner has great potential, and Gaborik could be the spark to set Skinner on fire.

7. Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 20: Shane Doan #19 of the Phoenix Coyotes talks with goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 after being defeated by the Detroit Red Wings in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Jobing.

Phoenix made it to the playoffs this year—which is an accomplishment in and of itself—but it was clear early on that Phoenix was completely out of its league and would exit early. The team was completely outplayed by Detroit, which swept the Coyotes in four games. Phoenix failed to get offensive rushes going to counter Detroit. Phoenix’s lead goal scorer this year was Shane Doan, but at 34-years-old, he is starting to decline. The Coyotes are starting to grow up, and they need an infusion in the form of Gaborik.

6. Nashville Predators

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 7: Goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators if congratulated by Shea Weber #6 after defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 07,

The Predators have a lot of young talent. Sergei Kostitsyn and Patric Hornqvist are two emerging stars, and adding Gaborik’s experience to the mix would make the Predators an instant threat in the Western Conference. In the playoffs, the offense lacked the firepower necessary to beat the Canucks. Gaborik would certainly get off a barrage of shots. Additionally, Garborik would be at the ready to tip-in the setup shots by defender Shea Weber.

5. New York Islanders

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UNIONDALE, NY - APRIL 08: The New York Islanders watch the shoot out against the Pittsburgh Penguins with their helmets on backwards for good luck at the Nassau Coliseum on April 8, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Islanders have a chance to be a serious contender in a couple of years with a lot of young talent. Their leading goal scorer, John Tavares is just 20-years-old. Plus, Gaborik won’t have to move far, staying in New York.

4. Minnesota Wild

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UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 02: Pierre-Marc Bouchard #96 of the Minnesota Wild skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 2, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Wild 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Could there be a reunion in Minnesota for Gaborik? Gaborik played some of his best hockey in Minnesota, and the Wild sure could use him. Finishing second-to-last in Western Conference scoring, Minnesota is in desperate need of a lift in the form of Gaborik. Martin Havlat and Mikko Koivu provide some good offense, but they lack the ability to take their team on a deep playoff run. Gaborik has worked with Pierre-Marc Bouchard before, but Bouchard has been disappointing. This time Gaborik and Bouchard might be able to combine their strengths more effectively.

3. Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 15: Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Nashville Predators in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center on April 15, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (

The Ducks are loaded with young talent. Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf: The list goes on and on. Teemu Selanne is 40-years-old, and he will soon retire. Gaborik would provide the Ducks with some much-needed manpower and leadership.

2. Edmonton Oilers

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CALGARY, CANADA - APRIL 6: Mark Giordano #5 of the Calgary Flames is pinned against the boards by Jean-Francois Jacques #22 of the Edmonton Oilers in first period NHL action on April 6, 2011 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo

Talk about young talent. Although they finished last in the Western Conference, the whole NHL is afraid of the Oilers, and they should be. With guys like Sam Gagner and Taylor Hall, Gaborik will have a lot of talented players to work with.

1. Washington Capitals

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TAMPA, FL - MAY 03: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates a goal by Mike Knuble #22 (not shown) at 59 seconds of the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Sta

The Capitals have the best overall team in the NHL. In the playoffs, however, it seems to boil down to Alexander Ovechkin against the world. Ovie is probably the best scorer in the league, but he needs a Robin and Gaborik is the perfect fit. Alexander Semin disappeared in this year’s playoffs, but Gaborik won’t.