Wild signs Gaborik for three years
By TOM JONES and TIMES WIRES
Published July 6, 2006
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota signed right wing Marian Gaborik to a three-year, $19-million contract Wednesday, hours before he was expected to file for salary arbitration.
The move came as somewhat of a surprise, as both Wild management and Gaborik's agent had said they expected the high-scoring Slovak to file for arbitration as the sides continued to negotiate a long-term agreement.
Wednesday was the deadline for restricted free agents to file for arbitration. Gaborik wanted to avoid arbitration, his agent said.
"It's good for the Wild, and it's really good for Marian," agent Ron Salcer said. "Marian is very pleased."
Gaborik, Minnesota's highest-paid player last season at $2.679- million, is coming off the most productive season of his career. He scored a franchise-record 38 goals and tallied 66 points in only 65 games after missing some early time to groin and hip problems.
Fedotenko, Sarich file
Lightning restricted free agents Ruslan Fedotenko and Cory Sarich have filed for arbitration to determine their salaries for next season.
Hearings will be held in Toronto from July 20 to Aug. 4.
Teams can continue to negotiate the contracts until the hearings. The Lightning is in contract talks with both players.
- TOM JONES, Times staff writer
KINGS-CANUCKS DEAL: Los Angeles continued rebuilding, acquiring goaltender Dan Cloutier, a former Lightning player, from Vancouver for two draft picks. The Canucks will receive a second-round draft choice next year and a conditional selection in the 2009 draft depending on whether the Kings can re-sign Cloutier.
COYOTES: Phoenix signed former Edmonton tough guy Georges Laraque to a two-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
DUCKS: Andy McDonald, who led the team in assists and game-winning goals last season, signed a three-year contract to stay. Terms were not disclosed.
FLAMES: Calgary wasted little time in signing newly acquired forward Alex Tanguay to a three-year, $15.75-million deal.
FLYERS: Philadelphia re-signed goaltender Antero Niittymaki to a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. Simon Gagne elected not to file for arbitration, but R.J. Umberger did.
HURRICANES: Carolina re-signed left wing Erik Cole to a three-year, $12-million contract.
RED WINGS: Detroit put prospective goaltender Ed Belfour through a three-hour physical. Afterward, Belfour met again with general manager Ken Holland, then left for the airport. If Belfour, who is coming off back surgery, passes the medical tests, the Wings will likely offer him a contract.
SABRES: Defenseman Jaroslav Spacek agreed to a three-year contract worth about $10-million.
STARS: Dallas signed free agent forwards Jeff Halpern and Matthew Barnaby. Terms were not disclosed.