Gaborik idle for Wild with lower-body injury
Fellow forward Nolan returns to Minnesota lineup after 3-game absence
Trade rumours surrounding Minnesota Wild star Marian Gaborik might simmer for the next little while.
The oft-injured right-winger was placed on injured reserve Saturday because of an unspecified lower-body injury that has kept him out of four straight games.
Players on injured reserve don't count against the active roster limit of 23 and must remain on the list for seven days.
Because moves are made retroactively, Gaborik, who has not played since Oct. 14, could come off IR at any time.
Gaborik, 26, has battled a variety of ailments to leg muscles throughout his career in Minnesota. He's in the final year of his contract, and negotiations are at an impasse.
The third overall pick in 2000, Gaborik has one goal in two games this season after career season in 2007-08 in which he scored 42 goals and 83 points in 77 contests.
Also Saturday, forward Owen Nolan was activated from IR before the Wild faced Columbus. He missed the previous three games because of a leg injury.