Having acquired Scott Gomez the day before the opening of the NHL free agent market on July 1^st the Montreal Canadiens have reunited him with a former linemate whom he’d had his best seasons with by signing former New Jersey Devils winger Brian Gionta to a five-year, $25 million contract worth $5 million per season against the cap.

Gionta and Gomez were linemates with the Devils, forming with Patrik Elias the “EGG line” powered the Devils offense from 2005 to 2007. Their best seasons were in 2005-06 when Gomez had 84 points and Gionta 89.

Once Gomez left the Devils for free agency in 2007 Gionta’s production declined although he still posted solid numbers over the past two seasons (53 points in 2007-08, 60 in 2008-09).

Canadiens GM Bob Gainey is obviously hoping Gionta and Gomez can rediscover their golden touch from their Devils days, and with their signing earlier today of winger Mike Cammalleri the three could provide the Canadiens with a lethal first line, although with all three under six feet it could be one of the smallest first lines in the league.

The Gionta signing likely means Alex Tanguay won’t be re-signed by the Habs and casts the possible return of Alex Kovalev into doubt.