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Gaborik won't be bought out, but injury means he won't be ready for camp

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Kings forward Marian Gaborik underwent a procedure and won't be ready for the start of training camp, according to Helene Elliott of the LA Times. Newly named general manager Rob Blake also said the club won't buy out Gaborik, per Elliott.

Further details on Gaborik's procedure will be released Tuesday, according to a team spokesperson.

Whether Blake had plans to buy out Gaborik is irrelevant now, since the league prohibits teams from buying out injured players.

Gaborik comes with a cap hit of $4.875 million through the 2020-21 season. Given how much he has struggled the past two seasons, a buy out seemed like a legitimate possibility.

It appears Blake is willing to give the veteran forward the benefit of the doubt, though, as he said Gaborik played hurt and will have a clean slate next season.

Over the past two seasons, Gaborik has played in just 110 of a possible 164 games, recording 22 goals and 21 assists in that span. The 35-year-old has a long injury history, dating back to his younger days with the Minnesota Wild.

It's possible Blake could try to trade Gaborik this offseason, but it's hard to believe any team in the league - even the Vegas Golden Knights - would take on his contract.

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