Hockey Trades, Rumors & SigningsThe NHL always has a very active trading rumor-mill. Who is the next player to be shipped out? And who will be the next big free agent signing? Discuss NHL trade rumors and free agents.
The Montreal Canadiens have acquired centre Scott Gomez from the New York Rangers in exchange for winger Christopher Higgins.
Gomez, 29, is coming off a down season for the Rangers, finishing with 58 points, his lowest total since 2002-2003.
A two-time Stanley Cup winner with the New Jersey Devils, Gomez was a blockbuster free agent signing for the Rangers last summer. Gomez is signed through 2013-2014, at a salary cap hit of more than $7.35-million, so he represents a significant investment.
In 706 career games, Gomez has 148 goals, 430 assists and 578 points, adding 81 points in 114 career playoff games.
Higgins, a 26-year-old restricted free agent winger, also struggled in 2008-2009, scoring a career-low 23 points in 57 games as he missed a combined 25 games with hand and groin injuries.
Prior to last season, however, Higgins recorded three straight seasons of at least 20 goals and he'll be a more economical option for the Rangers as he earned $1.7-million last season.
Looks like the Rangers are trying to make room for Heatly.
Hm, seems like a decent enough deal to me. Gainey gets rid of an RFA who wouldn't touch the point totals that Gomez has the potential to (and has in New Jersey), and New York dumps the salary of an under-performing Gomez.
With that said, I'm not sure who wins. But I now know that New York can do something dumb like give Komisarek $6M a year.
I find this a little hard to believe of the Habs, who are normally quite tight with their wallet. Doesn't everyone in the league know that the Rangers vastly overpaid Gomez? And for the Habs to let them off the hook on this, and take on Gomez themselves, madness, sheer madness.
__________________ Penguins Fan living in Sabreland
I find this a little hard to believe of the Habs, who are normally quite tight with their wallet. Doesn't everyone in the league know that the Rangers vastly overpaid Gomez? And for the Habs to let them off the hook on this, and take on Gomez themselves, madness, sheer madness.
I think that they're thinking Gomez and Kovalev will have instant chemistry, which could be true but the other thing is this: Montreal has needed a center like Gomez for a long time, he was probobly the only one on the market.
When I first heard this I was furious because I can't see getting rid of Gomez when Redden & Drury are still around. Gomez' main problem on the Rangers was he had no one to pass to. I was listening to Hockey Night in Canada radio on Sirius and they seem to think that it's a steal for the Rangers mainly because of McDonagh. But even before they knew he was included they thought that the salary alone made it a win for the Rangers. They also think that Drury is better than Gomez which I think is insane after watching Drury do nothing offensively 70 games a year. At least Gomez tried.
Why does everyone think Heatley is automatic for the Rangers? I heard rumors that Edmonton was close to signing Heatley. Also, there's nobody there to setup Heatley in NY anymore.
I think this trade is a win for NY but if you took out salary, Gomez is a pretty darn good player.
No one's signing Heatley, they have to trade for him. Edmonton has more assets to give up to Ottawa for him though.
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Originally Posted by Bless_D_Mess
When I first heard this I was furious because I can't see getting rid of Gomez when Redden & Drury are still around. Gomez' main problem on the Rangers was he had no one to pass to. I was listening to Hockey Night in Canada radio on Sirius and they seem to think that it's a steal for the Rangers mainly because of McDonagh. But even before they knew he was included they thought that the salary alone made it a win for the Rangers. They also think that Drury is better than Gomez which I think is insane after watching Drury do nothing offensively 70 games a year. At least Gomez tried.
McDonagh is going to be good. The Russian defender (sorry, I forgot his name) that they got is pretty slick as well.
Plus, Gomez's shedded salary will help the Rangers sign key players to extensions. Like Staal.
Montreal Canadiens/New York Rangers
Montreal Canadiens/New York Rangers
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