Marian Gaborik Goes Wild

It just goes to show that the posturing and public sniping that characterize many contract disputes should be taken with a grain of salt. A few days ago it looked like Marian Gaborik and the Minnesota Wild had settled in for a long-term standoff. Today, Minnesota's budding superstar is back in the fold with a new contract. Bryan Berard has found a job, too. ESPN reports that Gaborik has a three-year deal worth $10-million. If accurate, the settlement would represent a compromise by both sides, though the base salary is much closer to the team's most recent offer than Gaborik's reported demand of $4.4-million annually. As recently as Monday, Gaborik and the Wild appeared irreconcilable. But when each party begins issuing nasty statements to the media, it is often a sign that something is about to break. That said, the deal did not get done until Gaborik switched agents.
In other news, defenseman Bryan Berard has finally found a job, signing a one-year, $2.01-million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Goodness knows, Chicago needs the help.