Trade talk and Michael Peca

If you believe the rumor mill, then you've already accepted as fact the possibility that the Minnesota Wild is shopping around their only remaining original player. In fact, the local papers are even pointing to unnamed NHL executives saying that they've been personally asked if they are interested in Marian Gaborik, and his hefty contract hit. The unnamed execs are quoted as saying that they aren't interested in a trade.

Take that all with a grain of salt, though. Yes, Gaborik could be on the trade block. By the same token, the Wild could be inching closer to signing him to a long-term extension. The Wild bosses tend to hold their cards close to their chests, and this situation is no different. The biggest trick for the Wild, if they are trying to shop Gaby around, would be finding a team that could take him and his salary hit, and making sure to get players that make the deal look at least close to equal. However, when you couple Gaby's history of injuries with the fact that he's a year away from becoming a UFA, you realize how much more difficult it's going to be for a team to take a bite. After all, nobody wants to be like the Penguins with Marian Hossa.

As to where Gaby might end up if he does move, look for him to go east. The Wild are no fools in that aspect, and they'd make a point of shopping Gaborik out to some place that they might have to play him twice a season, unless there's a Stanley Cup match-up. After all, when he's healthy, he's always an offensive threat.

For now, it's just rumor. But rumors could spur action, so we might have more on this fairly soon.

Now, on to the Michael Peca incident. As many hockey fans now, Peca got suspended after a game against Dallas, where he initiated contact with an official. We've seen the video, and it's true that Peca grabbed the ref's arm, which is enough to merit the suspension. Peca did have an appeal, and got his suspension cut down to five games, due to circumstances that led to his grabbing the ref. Those circumstances?

Peca was tripped by Brendan Morrow on a power play. Shortly afterwards, Morrow scored a goal, which outraged the Blue Jacket veteran. So, in anger, and in trying to argue with the officials, he grabbed the referee's arm, and got slapped with his suspension. And yes, looking at the video, Peca was tripped. So was he justified?

Not in the slightest. There are calls that get missed every single game, and every single period. There are trips, crosschecks, holds, hooks, high sticks and elbows that change the course of the game and the officials don't send a player into the sin bin for them. Do some of those non-calls lead to goals? Yes. Was Peca right to be angry? Yes. But the problem here is that he grabbed an official. Say what you will about the refs at any sporting event, but they should be off-limits, except by accident. And Peca's been in the league long enough to know that, and keep his head in check. By grabbing the official, Peca took him from a position of authority to the same level as the players, and practically painted a target on him. And, in some ways, the NHL condoned Peca's actions by cutting his suspension in half.

Peca's able to return to the ice Friday night against the New York Rangers. Here's hoping he learned from his time off, and he is able to help reestablish the officials as the adjudicators of the sport.