Torts: Gaborik knows what he needs to do

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- In the exit conversation between the coach and the star player, there was middle ground.

Marian Gaborik and John Tortorella believe that with a renewed commitment, the speedy sniper can rebound from an unsatisfying second season with the Rangers. Both agree that Gaborik cannot be the only player with top-line skill in the lineup.

"The lines were always changed,'' said Gaborik, who scored 22 goals after getting 42 in his first season with the Rangers. "It would be definitely great to have someone you could click with.''

In what he described as a "very good meeting," Tortorella said Gaborik understands that the team needs a vintage Gaborik to succeed.

"I think he'll use that as motivation," he said. "He sees that we have a really good foundation but we need to be able to be more consistent skillfully . . . There's skill on our hockey club -- Gabby has top-line skill -- but top-line skill is something we need to add. We need to look at all avenues."

One of those avenues may lead to signing free-agent center Brad Richards or trading for someone such as Ottawa center Jason Spezza. But Gaborik, who is healthy enough to play for Team Slovakia in the World Championships this month, must return to the All-Star form of not only last season but his years with Minnesota. He scored at least 30 goals five times for the Wild.

"Just regroup," he said when asked how he previously bounced back. "It's not like the season was the worst of my career. Disappointing, but it's not tragedy.''

Gaborik attributed his struggles to injury and, to some extent, adjusting to the grinding style. "We created an identity, so we played, I think, differently,'' he said. "But I think I bought into it and I think I did a lot of good things differently, more battle and stuff."

But the result, Tortorella said, "certainly wasn't up to his standard . . . He needs to re-commit himself to make this work and get into a better mindset. One thing that's promising to me is that I saw it the first year he was here, and hopefully, he comes back and does it again.''

Tortorella's assessments were not as rosy for three veterans: unrestricted free agent Vinny Prospal, captain Chris Drury, who has a $7-million cap hit, and Sean Avery.

"I never thought Vinny would come back [after major knee surgery]," he said. "He did, but was very inconsistent. I think his knee's structurally sound, but he wasn't able to build up the muscles around it. He adds a tremendous quality to the team as a pro, but you don't want to get into a situation where it's a mistake and it takes the spot of another guy.

"Same thing with Dru. He's a guy who has a chronic knee. I watched him in the playoffs; he tried like hell, but he slowed down as it went on.''

As for Avery, the coach said, "It's a matter of consistency . . . I don't know where it sits."

Notes & quotes: Brandon Dubinsky revealed that when he was shut down for five games starting Jan. 19, it wasn't only because of a stress fracture in his left leg but similar pain in his right leg . . . Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh are undecided about playing for the United States in the upcoming Worlds, as is Henrik Lundqvist for Sweden.