by By Bruce Brothers bbrothers@pioneerpress.com , St. Paul Pioneer Press

"It's frustrating," he said, noting he tried to push himself in the 30-minute practice, "but it's just not there. I don't think I would be a piece to the puzzle tonight. It's disappointing."

After playing eight seasons and becoming the all-time leading scorer for the Wild , Gaborik signed as a free agent with the Rangers over the summer and picked up 10 goals and eight assists in his first 12 games before the injury.

Gaborik, 27, said if the Rangers were playing anyone other than the Wild , "I would not even think about it, but obviously this would be a special game, to be out there and help the team. It's just not there."

As for the Wild , coach Todd Richards said forward Petr Sykora, whose playing time was reduced to less than 10 minutes in a loss to Chicago, then was benched in a loss to Nashville, will be back in the lineup against the Rangers.

Limited tickets remain available for the 7 p.m. game, Wild officials said.

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