from Mike Brophy of CBC,

When he skates onto the ice all he needs to do is worry about doing his job. He doesn't have to drive the bus; just don't sit back and be a passenger.

It is the perfect role for Marian Gaborik.

The third overall pick in the 2000 entry draft has enjoyed moments of greatness in the NHL, but there have been equal moments of disappointment as he bounced from team to team.

His natural offensive instincts made him an obvious pick for the expansion Minnesota Wild after the New York Islanders chose goalie Rick DiPietro first and the Atlanta Thrashers took Dany Heatley second. It could be argued the Wild got the best player.

Wild coach Jacques Lemaire did a good job enlightening Gaborik about the defensive side of the game and he became a responsible two-way player. Yet despite scoring 30 or more goals seven times and recording three 40-plus goal seasons, Gaborik has never been considered one of the best players in the NHL. It was as though there was more to give and he just wouldn't do it.

Until now.

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