Reports: Blue Jackets solidify playoff push, add Gaborik from Rangers

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Columbus Blue Jackets have shown they’re serious about making the playoffs, acquiring forward Marian Gaborik from the New York Rangers according to multiple media reports.

Gaborik has had an off-year offensively in New York with nine goals and 10 assists in 35 games. But he is a proven scorer and is just one year removed from a 41-goal, 35-assist campaign in 2011-12.

The left-wing from Trencin, Slovakia, has 333 goals and 333 assists in 757 career games with Minnesota and New York. His best statistical season was in 2009-10, when he had 42 goals and 44 assists in his first season in New York.

Columbus is currently 11th in the Western Conference, one point behind eighth-place St. Louis.

Gaborik is in the fourth year of a five-year, US$37.5-million contract.

The Rangers will reportedly receive forward Derick Brassard, defenceman John Moore and forward Derek Dorsett.

New York is in a similar playoff situation to Columbus. The Rangers are in ninth place in the East, two points behind the New York Islanders.