The latest update on Marian Gaborik’s apparent knee injury could have a big effect on Los Angeles’ trade deadline plans.
On Monday, Kings head coach Darryl Sutter told the L.A. Times that Gaborik is going to be out of action “long term, for sure,” adding the club is hopeful the veteran winger could be back for the postseason.
Gaborik, 34, was hurt in a collision against the Rangers on Friday, exiting the game in the first period without putting any weight on what appeared to be an injured left knee. He was placed on IR shortly thereafter.
His injury comes at a really tough time. After starting the season slowly, Gaborik had been playing well of late and had four points in the five games prior to getting hurt.
All told, he has 12 goals and 22 points in 54 games this season, while averaging just under 15 minutes per night.
As mentioned above, the Kings will probably look to replace Gaborik’s production by the Feb. 29 trade deadline. He was the fifth-leading goalscorer on the team at the time of his injury and has a wealth of playoff experience -- during L.A.'s Stanley Cup championship in ’14, he scored 14 times in 28 games and finished with 22 points.