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Scott Gomez to Anaheim Makes More Sense Than You Think

January 18, 2013, 1:03 PM ET [32 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Montreal Canadiens ended their tumultuous relationship with Scott Gomez earlier in the week when the 33-year-old was bought-out after he cleared waivers. It was a fitting end for a nightmare of a stint for Gomez. With that said, I think he still has more left in the tank and can still play in the NHL.

According to a tweet from Bob McKenzie, the Anaheim Ducks may be interested in bringing the former Stanley Cup winner into the mix. If you really think about the prospect of adding Gomez to Ducks line-up, it does actually make a good amount of sense.

Gomez, a twelve-year NHL veteran was once considered a top-end center. After helping the New Jersey Devils win two Stanley Cups he bolted after the 2006-07 season in search of his big payday. He found it across the Hudson River with the New York Rangers.

He never lived up to those big dollars the Rangers threw at him, but he was never really more than a 60-65 point player to begin with. In New Jersey he cracked 65 point twice in seven seasons there. In New York he reached 70 points in his first season and the four season since has failed to reach the 60 point mark, including his last two season in Montreal which were horrific.

However, after back-to-back stints in New York and Montreal where all eyes are on you, it might behoove Gomez to come out West and spend some time in relative anonymity with the Ducks. Let's face it, the media out here are cup cakes compared to those guys back east.

So how could Gomez help the Ducks?

After Ryan Geltzlaf and Saku Koivu, the Ducks are thin up the middle. Youngsters Peter Holland and Nick Bonino can fill the void, problem is they lack true NHL experience. Gomez has 902 career games under his belt and his 686 career points aren't bad either. When is comes to stability up the middle experience always wins out.

In terms of dollars and cents, Gomez would prove to be a very affordable option for Anaheim. Under the "compliance buyout" rules in the new CBA, Montreal would absorb Gomez’s $7.35 million salary cap hit for this season. This is bad for them and great for any team interested in the much maligned center.

The Canadiens will also be on the hook for a pro-rated portion of Gomez's $5.5 million salary in 2012-13 and buying him out of his $4.5 million owed for 2013-14 to get out from under his contract.

To me this a huge plus and if he can be grabbed on the cheap why not take a shot? He is still good for 30-35 points as a third line center. (last season - Koivu 38 pts., Getzlaf 57 pts.) The Ducks are in full-court-press mode in terms of making the playoffs. Sometimes it's a gamble like this that will pay off the most in the end.

What do you think? "Gomer" or Go Home!?

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