From Nick Tylwalk,
Your Guide to Sports Cards.
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The Minnesota Wild franchise isn't even a decade old, so it may be too early to name anyone the best player in team history. It's pretty clear, though, that Marion Gaborik is the most gifted scorer to skate for the Wild so far.

Gaborik's rookie season of 2000-01 was the debut campaign for the team as well, and the young Slovak turned in a number of memorable firsts. He was the Wild's initial draft pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft (third overall) and scored the first goal in team history in a 3-1 loss at Anaheim. At just 19 years of age, Gaborik tied for the team lead with 18 goals.

Scoring goals is something Minnesota fans have come to expect from Gaborik. He's led the Wild in tallies in four of his six seasons, putting up at least 30 goals four times - including 2006-07 when he only played in 48 games.

Though contract hassles and injury problems have plagued him at times, they seem to be the only thing preventing Gaborik from becoming a consistent 50-goal threat. And seeing as he won't turn 30 until the 2011-12 season, he's got plenty of time to reach his full potential.

That potential is something hockey card collectors have been willing to invest in so far. With the exception of Dany Heatley, who appears in only a few 2000-01 NHL sets, Gaborik's rookie cards outpace those of all his contemporaries. Still, since he entered the league before truly limited and autographed rookies became the norm, only a few, like his Private Stock # 125 and SP Authentic # 110, command triple-digit prices.

Marion Gaborik 2000-01 Rookie Cards

• BAP Signature Series # 279 - #'d to 500
• Black Diamond # 123 - #'d to 1999
• Crown Royale # 127 - #'d to 400
• Private Stock # 125 - #'d to 155
• SP Authentic # 110 - #'d to 900
• SP Game Used # 70 - #'d to 900
• SPx # 163 - #'d to 1500
• Stadium Club # 241
• Titanium # 126 - #'d to 99
• Titanium Draft Day Edition # 126 - #'d to 1000
• Topps Chrome # 242 - #'d to 1250
• Topps Gold Label Class 1 # 102 - #'d to 999
• Topps Heritage # 85 - #'d to 1955
• Topps Premier Plus # 130
• Topps Stars # 113
• UD Heroes # 166
• UD Pros and Prospects # 108 - #'d to 1000
• UD Reserve # 98
• Upper Deck # 229
• Upper Deck Ice # 90 - #'d to 1500
• Upper Deck Vintage # 381
• Vanguard # 127 - #'d to 390