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Sports

Jackets ship Gaborik to LA

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Kings added a proven scorer before Wednesday's trade deadline, acquiring veteran winger Marian Gaborik from the Columbus Blue Jackets for forward Matt Frattin and two draft selections.

According to reports from the LA Times and Columbus Dispatch, the picks are conditional (second-round pick and a third-round slot if the Kings win a first-round playoff series or re-sign Gaborik) and the Jackets have agreed to keep a portion of Gaborik's salary on the books.

A seven-time 30-goal scorer, Gaborik has battled injuries this season but still had six goals and eight assists in 22 games with the Blue Jackets in 2013-14.

"We had to protect the future of the franchise. We looked all options. This was the best option. With the unfortunate injuries, he never got on a roll. He wasn't going to stay here after this year," said Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen in announcing the deal. "Gaborik wanted it to work and we wanted it to work. But it didn't, and we both had to move on."

Gaborik has compiled 342 goals and 346 assists over 791 career games with Minnesota, the New York Rangers and Blue Jackets.

The 32-year-old Slovakian had his last big offensive campaign in 2011-12 with the Rangers, scoring 41 goals and adding 35 assists over 82 games. All told, Gaborik has three seasons of 40 or more goals to his credit.

Frattin scored twice and added four assists in 40 games during his brief stay with LA. The fourth-round pick of the Leafs in 2007 has totaled 17 goals and 34 points in 122 games since 2010. He departed Toronto in June deal which saw Jonathan Bernier head to the Leafs.

Although the Kings are occupying the third of the Pacific Division's three automatic playoff spots, the club could use the offensive help. Los Angeles is currently ranked 11th in the West and 27th in the NHL with an average of 2.32 goals per game.

The Kings also acquired defenseman Brayden McNabb, forward Jonathan Parker and two second-round picks -- one in 2014 and another in 2015 -- from Buffalo for prospects Nicolas Deslauriers and Hudson Fasching.