Author: David Shama

Don’t describe Marian Gaborik as soft.  An NHL source who requested anonymity while talking with Sports Headliners scoffed at the accusation that the Minnesota Wild’s best goal scorer isn’t tough enough to play through injuries.

Gaborik has missed 22 games this season because of what’s been described as a “lower body” injury.  The source believes the problem is a groin injury, something that has plagued the extraordinary 26-year-old wing in the past.

“Groin…(injuries) aren’t the kind of thing where you can play with some pain,” the source said.  “You might have a little pain in your shoulder or something, and you should be able to tolerate that probably.  But if you explode when you skate the way he does, and it keeps getting pulled. …It’s hard for him because I am sure he’s leery because it’s happened so many times. …”

Gaborik is a free agent after this season.  From various reports contract talks are at an impasse with all concerned.

The situation seems like a mess.  Gaborik’s latest injury and past problems (for example, he missed 34 games with a groin injury during the 2006-07 season and earlier in his career was out for awhile because of an injured hip) taint his reputation to be available either to the Wild or another team.  Presumably Gaborik, who also had a groin problem last season, has lost leverage with both the length and compensation of a new contract.  The Wild, in need of goal scorers, must contemplate how much Gaborik will be available to them this season, and if at all in future seasons.  Also, what value will he have in a trade?

A declining American economy and falling Canadian dollar contribute to the situation, too.  Plus, the source suspects there are hard feelings between the Wild, Gaborik and his agent Ron Salcer.

The source said it will be almost “impossible” to trade Gaborik now but after the first of the year and when the NHL trading deadline nears things could change.  “The best scenario,” he believes, is for Gaborik to return to the Wild, play 30 or so games and draw interest from teams that either think they need one more vital player to win the Stanley Cup, or at least make the playoffs.

“He’s a phenomenally good goal scorer, among the top three or four in the league,” the source said.  “Just an absolute great talent.  And from what I’ve…understood, it’s not like he’s a problem in the locker room. …Apparently he’s an excellent teammate. …”

Gaborik had his best season in 2007-08, with 42 goals and 41 assists.

Forget the individual stuff, Royce White has just one goal for his final season of high school basketball.  “Win the state,” he told Sports Headliners.

He and his Hopkins teammates open their schedule on Tuesday night at Patrick Henry, the first of two games with the city conference power.  White is looking forward to the season, hoping his first year with the Royals will end with a state Class AAAA championship.

White transferred to Hopkins after last season at DeLaSalle where he made news mostly because of his extraordinary play.  It was a confident and personable White who talked about the coming season following Tuesday night’s Gopher game at Williams Arena.  His approach will be to “prepare” to avoid any issues and he undoubtedly knows people will be watching him with greater interest than ever now that he’s committed to Minnesota.

The 6-7 forward, who weighs about 215 pounds, is a five star college prospect, according to rivals.com.  A “sky’s the limit” type of talent, White is the Rivals No. 19 prospect in the country and No. 2 small forward.

Ken Lien, the Mr. Basketball Committee chair, has seen White play more than a dozen times.  “He’s a big, strong athletic kid who has gone from being a post player as a sophomore to having a pretty good offensive shot, although he needs improvement,” Lien said.  “He can post up players well.  He has the ability to play pretty good defense because he’s athletic but he hasn’t decided he wants to play hard every minute, every play.”

With the NBA already scouting him and a summer that included attending LeBron James’ camp, there is no doubt White can realistically set a goal for playing one day at the highest pro level.  But for now he must focus on his senior season and any thoughts of what’s next are more appropriate for his coming Gopher career.

White signed a National Letter of Intent with the Gophers last month.  His second college choice?  None, he said on Tuesday night.

Remaining home for college means the opportunity to stay close to family and also play for coach Tubby Smith.  The 7 and 0 Gophers will have all their most important players back next season when White is a freshman.  He’s planning to be a Gopher for awhile and part of a team that could have exceptional success.  And, yes, he admitted, he can be better defensively, a Tubby Smith must-do.

Adrian Peterson can tie a Vikings’ record for most 100 yard games in a season when Minnesota plays in Detroit on Sunday.  He has seven and the record is eight by Robert Smith(2000).

Over the last six games the Viking offense is averaging 29 points per game, tied for third best in the NFL.  Detroit’s defense ranks 31^st in the league.

The Vikings’ all-time record against Detroit is 62-30-2.  The Vikings have won 16 of the last 18 games and their 62 wins are the most against any opponent.  Detroit is 0-12 this season, the Vikings 7-5.

Quarterback MarQueis Gray and linebacker Spencer Reeves were two outstanding prospects in the Gophers’ 2008 recruiting class but they weren’t academically eligible to play this fall.  Now although both are eligible for next season they can’t practice per NCAA policy during the upcoming 15 days the Gophers have to prepare for their bowl game (destination decided on Sunday).  However, they both can participate in spring practice and will be true freshmen next season.

Moses Alipate, the Gopher quarterback recruit from Bloomington Jefferson, has been selected to play in the January 5 Under Armour High School All-America game in Orlando, according to ESPN’s web site.

Ralph Sampson II was asked how he evaluates son Ralph III after seven games as a freshman with the Gophers.  “I think he’s doing all right, looking good,” Sampson said.  “It’s early in the season.  Everybody’s got a lot of work to do, but I think they’re coming along pretty good.”

Sampson, a 6-11 center from the Atlanta area, has been a substitute for the Gophers, averaging 15.9 minutes, 4.1 rebounds and six points per game.

Rob Delaney, an undrafted player in 2006, is a relief pitcher in the Twins organization worth following.  He recently won the MLB.com 2008 Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year award.  The Web site named him Class A relief pitcher of the year in 2007.  Although he’s not on the Twins’ 40 man roster, his ERA’s in 2007 and 2008 were 1.03 and 1.23.

The Gopher baseball team will play more games at the Metrodome (14) next season than on campus at Siebert Field (11).  The Gophers open their schedule in St. Petersburg, Florida on February 20 against Seton Hall as part of the Big Ten/Big East Challenge.  The team’s roster includes junior outfielder Eric Decker who made all-Big Ten this fall in football as a wide receiver.

The Wild’s Andrew Brunette scored his 200^th NHL goal in his 811^th career game on Wednesday night against St. Louis. He is tied for the team lead in goals with nine and played in 477 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NHL.  Also on Wednesday night, Eric Belanger scored his 100^th career NHL goal in his 501^st league game.

Tonight’s home game against Vancouver is the final game in a period where the Wild play 10 of 12 at home.