January 2nd

GABORIK COULD OPT FOR SEASON ENDING SURGERY

Marian Gaborik's injury plagued season, and tenure with the Minnesota Wild could both be coming to an end.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that Gaborik has a hip deficiency that's causing his groin problems, and he's contemplating season ending surgery.

Gabby, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has only played in six of the Wild's 36 games this season scoring three goals and registering two assists.

The 26-year-old met with the same specialist over Christmas who performed his hip surgery this past June. While that previous surgery repaired the right side, Gaborik must now decide whether to fix the left side with surgery or play the remainder of the season in pain.

Tom Lynn, Minnesota's assistant general manager, said a decision on the surgery will likely be made in the next few days.

Gaborik, the number three overall pick in the 2000 entry draft, is the only remaining skater left from the inaugural opening day roster, and is the franchise's all-time leader in several categories including goals (209), assists (210), Points (419), and games played (491).