The Los Angeles Kings have reached a deal Wednesday with unrestricted free agent forward Marian Gaborik that will keep him in L.A. for seven years. The average annual value of the contract is $4.875 million, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun.
“I know I get maybe more money if I’d gone UFA, but it wasn’t about money,” said Gaborik on taking a significant pay cut. “I wanted to stay here.”
After he was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in early March for Matt Frattin, a second-round draft pick, and a conditional third-round pick, Gaborik didn’t waste any time finding his niche with the Kings.
He registered 5 goals and 11 assists in 19 regular season games with his new team, and the L.A. Kings management group was expecting him to continue with his scoring touch in the postseason as well. He did not disappoint.
The 32-year-old lead the NHL in goals in this year’s playoffs with 14, just one behind Wayne Gretzky‘s total that stands as the Kings’ franchise record. He had his most success offensively against the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference semifinals, where Gaborik scored six goals and added four assists, leading all players who participated in the seven-game series.
He was also in the running for the Conn Smythe trophy for the league’s most valuable player throughout the postseason, but teammate Justin Williams took home the award at the conclusion of Los Angeles’ Stanley Cup win over the New York Rangers.
With Gaborik locked up for a significant length of time, the Kings will once again hope to retain their core group of players as they look to defend their title as Stanley Cup Champions this October.
Very excited to be a part of great team and great organization #LAKings for the next 7years.
— Marian Gaborik (@MGaborik10) June 25, 2014
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