Headed North
The New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens pulled off a big pre-UFA signing period deal this evening. The Rangers traded center Scott Gomez, winger Tom Pyatt, and defenceman Mike Busto to the Habs in exchange for forward Chris Higgins, and blueliners Doug Janik, Ryan McDonagh, and Pavel Valentenko.
Gomez is coming off a pedestrian season where he scored only 58 points. GM Bob Gainey is looking for him to rebound in Montreal. The Rangers managed to clear considerable cap space ($7.35 million) off of their roster heading into tomorrow's noon unrestricted free agent opening. One can safely assume that they will dive right back in a give some lucky player a contract of ridiculous proportions. Now if Sather could only find someone to want to trade Wade Redden for.
The Calgary Flames who acquired the exclusive negotiating rights to defenceman Jay Bouwmeester from the Florida Panthers several days ago, made the most of the opportunity. The Flames and JB agreed to a 5 year contract worth $6.6 million per year. There have been rumors that the Flames were looking to swap defenceman Dion Phaneuf to the Ottawa Senators straight up for disgruntled winger Dany Heatley. The Bouwmeester signing could be a prelude to that.
Tomorrow at noon the gates and checkbooks will open. Stay tuned!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Yeah, good deal for New York and god only knows for Montreal. If Gomez is dishing the puck to Kovalev and Tanguay that's one thing, but if those two don't resign or the chemistry isn't there then I don't really see how Gomez brings you that much more to the table than your CAPTAIN Saku Koivu. (Remember him? Well, he's probably gone.) Not to mention, Montreal gives up an apparently pretty good prospect on defense and they're already looking at seeing another solid d-man possibly walk away in Mike Komisarek. I don't get what Montreal is doing.
Anyway, TSN is reporting that the Blackhawks landed Hossa to a TWELVE YEAR deal. Ridiculous. Great player and will have good linemates, but sheesh - that's a very, very long contract that probably should be going to Toews or Kane instead.
Posted by: Stache | July 1, 2009 03:02 PM