Wins can't mask what's needed: re-signing Gaby

If the Wild's checkers keep scoring like this, they're going to ruin Jacques Lemaire's reputation as a defensive coach.

The boys have scored 11 goals in their past two games, and for the first time in franchise history have scored three goals in the third period in consecutive games. They beat Edmonton 5-1 on Thursday at the X, and all of this offensive giddiness could fool the impressionable into thinking that the Wild will score its way into the playoffs.

"We've been practicing making plays more," center James Sheppard said. "Not just putting pucks on net. We've been practicing getting open and hitting guys."

The Wild is having a big week against mediocre teams, but it still lacks a dynamic scorer, and it still should be trying to find a way to re-sign The Forgotten Man, Gabby The Ghost, otherwise known as Marian Gaborik.

In fact, the Wild needs Gaborik far more than Gaborik needs the Wild.

While it might seem difficult or illogical for Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough to commit to a lucrative long-term contract for an injury prone player who isn't one of the league's top-flight stars, we need to recognize just where this franchise is and what it still needs, for these reasons:

• With Gaborik missing most of this season, the Wild ranks near the bottom of the conference in goals scored. Gaborik leads the franchise in points and goals. The Wild is 33-3-3 when he scores two or more goals, and 24-0-2 when he scores three or more points, and 23-0-4 in the past 27 games in which he scores a goal.

• Wild management has demonstrated no ability to sign top free agents. Brian Rolston was a nice signing, but he was a solid two-way player, not a superstar. Let Gaborik leave, and there's no assurance he will be replaced by a similar talent.

• Gaborik has been injury prone, but that's a matter of bad luck, not an indication of willpower.

Two St. Paul boys, Paul Molitor and Joe Mauer, were labeled injury prone early in their careers. Molitor became more durable as he matured; now he's in the Hall of Fame. Mauer became more durable as he matured; now he's the best catcher in baseball.

• The Wild, as an organization, has catered to fans brilliantly, giving them the best venue and game experience in the Twin Cities. Eventually, though, the Team of 18,000 will demand more than ambience. Eventually, the fans will demand a more entertaining product, perhaps even the occasional playoff victory.

(We don't actually know this; we're just guessing. Maybe these fans will show up forever to watch Pierre-Marc Bouchard skate figure 8s. But I wouldn't bet on it.)

Gaborik might not be enamored of Lemaire's system, but he can work with it.

Most likely, Gaborik will sign a one-year contract elsewhere this summer and pump up his stock before getting serious about signing a long-term deal.

If the Wild's relationship with Gaborik can be rehabilitated -- and that's a big if -- now might be the perfect time to make him a big offer.

This isn't likely to happen. The Wild appears ready to say goodbye to Gaborik and his series of lower-body injuries.

Just remember next season, when the Wild are trying to win every game 2-1, that team management cut loose the best player in franchise history.