Yeah, Gui's speed has improved and I'm quite happy with it, but there's some other intangibles as well that I mentioned. I think we would still do very well with Higgins-Koivu-Tanguay and Latendresse-Lang-Kostitsyn, but in my opinion slotting Higgins onto the third is a more optimal lineup.
I could be wrong, but weren't Zubrus and Zholtok (or at least one of them) part of the trade package that gave us Zednik?
As much as I love Gaborik, I don't want him on our team unless he's as a cheap rental. He's going to want too much money for a longterm contract and his history of injuries is worrisome. That, and like you mentioned, having a high-paid superstar is not the formula for success in the "new NHL." If we can get him near the deadline for a reasonable deal though, I'd be tempted. But considering how much depth we have on the wings both now and in the near future, I'm not sure if we'd really need him for anything more than a Cup run.