Gaborik’s contract expires after next season, and two other key players, Bouchard and Rolston, the 35-year-old wing, will need to be signed this off-season if they are to return to the team in September.
Financial limitations on contracts are driving the decision not to retain 33-year-old wing Pavol Demitra, the NHL source said. He also said the Wild management “like him a lot” but with Demitra making about $4 million per season it’s not practical to retain him for a third season with the team.
Although he said Demitra is still a capable player, his 15 goal performance last season didn’t help his profile with the Wild. He described Demitra as a “second tier goal scorer, great on the power play, with a reputation for making others better.”
The source said his guess is that the Wild evaluate Demitra’s two seasons here with “mixed reviews.” He had a career low in goals for a full NHL season in 2007-2008 and his total points declined from 64 to 54 from 2006-2007. “With his personal numbers, I don’t think he was quite the player they envisioned him being here,” the source said.
Demitra and Gaborik are pals. Will Demitra’s departure this off-season impact how Gaborik looks at signing a new contract to keep him here long term?
The source doesn’t think so. “The only thing I’ve heard is that Gabby understands it’s a business, and now as captain he has to put the team first,” he said. “I am sure he will be disappointed but he wants what’s best for the organization.”