Blue Jackets' Gaborik to have abdominal surgery

After an exciting late-season run that fell just short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Marian Gaborik will have abdominal surgery and will not play in the IIHF World Hockey Championship for Slovakia.

Columbus announced Wednesday that Gaborik's recovery period is expected to be three to four weeks.

"Marian experienced some soreness toward the end of the season and after undergoing his exit physical and further examination today, it was decided that surgery is the best option for a quick and full recovery," Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson said. "Marian will have the surgery, and after a three to four week recovery period will be able to resume offseason training."

According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, one of Gaborik's agents said the surgery will be on a part of Gaborik's abdomen that required hernia surgery in 2001. At the time, Gaborik was a member of the Minnesota Wild.

In 47 games this season played with the New York Rangers and Blue Jackets, Gaborik had 12 goals and 27 points.

The Blue Jackets finished ninth in the Western Conference. They had the same 55 points as the eighth-place Minnesota Wild, but lost the regulation/overtime wins tiebreaker (22-19).

Gaborik was traded to the Blue Jackets for four players at the NHL Trade Deadline.