Marián Gáborík (born February 14, 1982) is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild.
Spending eight seasons in Minnesota before signing with the Rangers in 2009, Gáborík is the Wild's all-time leading scorer in goals, assists and points. Internationally, Gáborík is a two-time Olympian with Slovakia and has won a bronze medal at the 1999 World Junior Championships.
He notched 30 goals for the second consecutive season, but more importantly helped lead the Wild to their first ever playoff appearance. He capped off his third NHL season with 17 points in 18 games as part of a run to the Western Conference Finals.
Contractual issues kept Gáborík from starting the 2003–04 season with the Wild as his initial entry-level contract came to an end in the off-season. Holding out with HC Dukla Trenčín of the Slovak Extraliga, his agent, Allan Walsh, asserted that Gáborík would not take less than $6.5 million a year.
After switching agents three times, Gáborík eventually agreed to a three-year, $10-million contract with the Wild on October 31, 2003.[4] Limited to 65 games that season, he recorded 18 goals and 40 points. Due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Gáborík again returned to HC Dukla Trenčín where he dominated with 52 points in 29 games. He also saw time with Färjestads BK of the Elitserien.
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