That's not a misprint, folks, the New York Rangers have signed Scott Gomez AND Chris Drury.
Gomez has signed a seven-year, $51.5 million contract, whilst Drury signed for five years, $35.25 millon. Suffice to say, the Rangers have scored the biggest coup of the 2007 UFA market in landing two of the top free agents on the market. .
Rangers GM Glen Sather was long believed interested in Gomez, who previously spent his NHL career playing across the Hudson River for the New Jersey Devils, one of the Blueshirts’ biggest rivals.
That interest increased significantly when Rangers center Michael Nylander fired his agent and announced his intention of testing the UFA market.
Gomez benefited form his years with the Devils, blossoming into a solid two-way performer, but it’s been long believed that his playmaking skills could be put to better use on a team that plays a more offensive style.
He’ll get the opportunity to put that to the test with the Rangers, particularly with Jaromir Jagr, whose line Gomez is most likely to center.
Signing Gomez was news enough, but landing Drury as well makes the Rangers perhaps the biggest winners of this summer’s UFA signing frenzy.
Drury was long rumored headed to either the LA Kings or San Jose Sharks, but the NY Post’s Larry Brooks and NY Daily News’ John Dellapina claimed prior to July 1st that playing for the Rangers was an intriguing prospect for the former Sabres co-captain.
He won’t post up the potentially big numbers that Gomez may be capable of, but he’s cemented a reputation as one of the best clutch players in the NHL. The Rangers got to see that first hand in this year’s playoffs, when his last-second goal in Game Five of the Rangers-Buffalo Sabres series changed the direction of that series in favor of the Sabres.
Now, Drury will bring that clutch play and experience to the Rangers second line, where potential linemates could include Brendan Shanahan, Sean Avery or Petr Prucha. All should benefit from his presence.
In signing Gomez and Drury to such lengthy contracts, the Rangers have locked up two players that along with goaltender Henrik Lundqvist could provide the core around which this club will build in the future.
Jagr, Shanahan, and Martin Straka won’t be with the Blueshirts for much longer. They’re getting long in the tooth and will move on to other clubs or retirement in a year or two. The Rangers needed core forwards to take their place.
Wow, Rangers and Penguins battling for the Atlantic division championship? Although, it seems like we've seen this kind of thing with NYR before: Holik, Bure, Lindros, Messier. And only one of those guys really worked out. I still wouldn't mind Drury and Gomer as a one two punch. That free's up money to bring Smyth and a D-man to LODO with some wiggle room left over.
The Rangers and Flyers throw money around with abandon! What year are we in again? Seriously, what a PR move on Broadway. I've still got some questions about this roster, but I can't argue with the sheer talent up front. Is it just going to be those two guys skating in several positions at once? I dunno how they farm the rest of the team if Drury's money is right there with Gomez's.
Jagr, Drury and Gomez... that's almost half the cap on 3 guys... and no offense to those three, but they are not as good as Tampa's trio, and we know how difficult it has been for them with such a top-heavy salary structure...
Drury at 7.05, Gomez at 7.3 and Jagr at 8.4? How can they fit them all under the same cap? The Atlantic isn't a gimme anymore. Now for the real question: Who's leaving the Rangers?
they just handicapped themselves for a long time, what happens when lundquist needs an extention or jagr? two words TAMPA BAY, look at the situation they are in and now New York is in the same kinda situation...What i would like to see them do is trade drury somewhere then they get something for nothing, cause it didnt cost them anything to acquire him. Im imagining LA would pay a pretty penny for him!
for those wondering how the Rangers can fit Gomez and Drury with Jagr, the Caps are paying 1/2 of Jagr's salary, so only 1/2 of his salary counts against the Rangers cap. But Lundqvist is an RFA, I'm not sure how they can sign him this season to a long-term contract. Maybe they'll get him on a 1-year deal. It'll be tough for the 2008-2009 because Jagr is a UFA after this season though, how will they fit Gomez,Drury, Jagr (7+ M) and Lundqvist (6.5-7M) under the cap for then ? Can they guarentee the cap will go up again next season ?
Regarding the cap space...what makes the Rangers situation different than Tampa is that Washington is paying almost $6 million of Jagr's salary.
Jagr, Gomez and Drury only combine for about $17 million...Washington is the reason the Rangers have actually had plenty of cap room these past 2 seasons.
I think they are counting on some of the draft picks over the past 2 -3 years like Staal to join the blueline. Sather gets fixed on people (ie: Holik, now Gomez)and puts the blinders on when it comes to thinking big picture like addressing multiple needs...
ChipS, the lines are even better when you see them in writing...
Curious to see what Lamoriello does with the Pru Center opening and their history of not selling out in Continental..Who is going to excite their fans and sell tickets, Brodeur is a tired act and losing Raflski and Gomez is not good for a team that was one of the lowest scoring in the NHL.
Gomez as a Ranger will take a little getting used to, he was a pain in the .... as a Devil and one of those players that you really couldn't stand.
The NHL is returning to the pre-lockout days. The rich will sign players and small markets will suffer just like before. The cap has risen too fast. Total player salaries in the NHL are higher now than before the lockout. Candian teams will be in trouble too. The NHL is an absolute joke!!!!
as a rangers fan i can say with certainty that these moves do not harken back to the days of the pre-lockout rangers. back in the day sather had an affinity for wanting to get over-the-hill and/or injury prone former stars. to my knowledge neither gomez or drury fit these labels. after watching drury terrorize the rangers (sometimes almost single-handedly) during the regular season and playoffs i am happy to have him with us as opposed to against us. the man seems to do anything to win and give everything to his team. he's a good young-ish leader, can score, and take hits and give them: i'm happy having him locked up for the next half of a decade. as for gomez, i've read about how his contract seems to be beyond his worth, and that is probably true to a degree, but if you're not willing to spend the money you'll never get quality ufas. also, the man played for the devils for pete's sake (one of the lowest scoring teams in the league for years) so going to an offensive system that will see him feeding the puck to straka and jagr will surely help inflate his point totals this year. i've gotta give it to sather, for years being a rangers fan hasn't been easy but now we've got a good team assembled and a lot of good young talent in the pipeline. things are definitely looking up.
Canadian teams are doing fine thanks to the strong Canadian dollar - the teams in trouble are the teams with ownership questions like Nashville or the ones that don't have GM's who know how to operate in the cap era (New Jersey).
The Rangers are a good team that plays on a big stage - true the Gomez and Drury signings are about money but they are also two players who know the area and know what it's like to play on Broadway. The Rangers are once again becoming a place players want to play and these moves help to ensure that the eventual retirements of Jagr and Shanny won't leave an irreplaceable void.
Its not that the small market teams are suffering. Honestly the big player do not want to go there.
I blame the fans and medias in places like Edmonton and calgary.
5 pages of coverage in the sports section and when you home you can have no privacey you can not go out to dinner without fans mobbing you. No TV exposer. Weather Stinks
Thats why places like Philly New York LA Florida are more desireable
Last edited by True_kings_fan on July 1st at 7:03 PM.
I dont really see the signing of Gomez and Drury to the Rangers as that much of surprise. There both American born players. It's every American players dream to one day play for the Rangers, and play at Madison Square Gardens. It's the mecca for American Players. It's just like Toronto for Canadian born players.
To the True Kings Fan, without places like Edmonton and Buffalo there would be no NHL. Why don't we just have teams in LA, NY and Florida and get rid of everyone else? The last time I looked the Sabres and Oilers averaged more fans per game than LA, both Florida teams, the Islanders and the Devils. The Sabres sold out every game this year!!!! Unfortunately for the small market teams they don't get all the extra cash from the high priced tickets in places like NY. These blue-collared cities must keep ticket prices low so people can afford to go to games. So next time the NHL raises the cap again NY can buy more players.
I am a Buffalo fan, and I figure that this is the nature of the business. I actually don't envy the Flyers or Rangers or their fans. I believe that these teams are better than they were yesterday, but if things do not work out, their hands are tied. The Sabres will miss Drury and Briere, but I do agree with their decision to let these two go. I actually think that the Sabres have enough scoring in the rest of the lineup to still compete comfortably. Good Luck Briere and Drury. Thanks for the memories.
The reason we sell out games is because we are hockey fans unlike LA. You have ten times more people living there than we do and somehow you can't sell out unless you are winning.
UNBELIEVABLE !!!! I am a long time blue shirts fan and can't believe today's signings. Although I must say I am sorry to see Nylander leave...
Makes me wonder if he fits what the Devils may be looking for.... solid two-way center man, who at these prices would seem very affordable...
TKF, either your young or you have issues. What else could possibly explain your rants.
To the owners, ticket prices are not a problem. In the larger markets, with more people to draw their fan base from, they can charge more. It is called capitalism. That is the point I think Ronnyw9 was trying to make.
Also, you pointed out yourself what may be happening there with your team. Perhaps it has nothing to do with Lombardi as to why the free agents are not signing with LA. Maybe, like you stated yourself, they have a choice and their choice just might not be the LA Kings.
BTW, speaking of Lombardi, has his restraining order against you been filed yet?
The thing is about these 'big' contracts, in the next two years Drury and Gomez will be valuable, and reasonably priced considering Crosby will introduce a new level in player compensation. There is a lot of young talent in the NHL today and there will be larger contracts than these issued today by the Rangers. We have not even seen the biggest contract yet, I believe will be awarded to Ryan Smyth....
The past is the past, they made many mistakes in the past but the system was different then too. Back then players weren t unrestricted free agents until after they turned 31, most of them were on the down side of their careers. Both Drury and Gomez are still in the prime of their careers and have great leadership abilities. The Rangers have tremendous young talent already on the roster from their farm system and have more coming in the future. This gives them the ability to remain good for years to come. Straka and Shanahan may be playing their last years next year, Jagr is not going to be around forever. No one is complaining that Briere is getting $10 million for next year or that Jason Blake got a huge contract too or last year when the Bruins signed Chara for a ridiculous amount of many or when the Ducks added Pronger to have the 2 best defensemen in the game on the same team. But as soon as anyone hears it is the Rangers.... Face it, a good, strong franchise in NY will give hockey great exposure.
I think you are EXACTLY right. I think free agents do not want to come to LA.
I think they would much rather go down the street.
When you look at the KINGS from afar who in there right mind would want to walk into that mess.
I think the last 2 weeks have shown that the Kings Have no desier to win at all
And you are right with bigger markets
Plus Lombardi's Repeutation is not the best in the league.
I agree with his point but it bothers me when he blames the NHL as a whole for the problems of Free Agents going to NY.
Remember The Oilers are one of several teams that agreed to this CBA and all 30 teams play by the same rules.
The Oilers could go out and give this lind of money but choose to spend there money as they would say wisely. But playing Kids and fighting for the 8th seed to get bounced in the first round really trying?
As for my personal relationship with Lombardi I am only met the man one time shook his hand and told him right to his face "Fix this mess" thats all I said to him and that was just last Monday
But I have been on my best not to bash Lombardi anymore.
we all know my feelings and I am so Po'ed today.
BUt As Spector asked me to I am not going to get on him anymore unless there is a Kings post.
So remember I did not bring up his name you did
Last edited by True_kings_fan on July 1st at 8:16 PM.
When the cap was originally thought to be 42-44million, the Rangers were going to be 20+million under the cap. When it rose to 50.3 Sather knew he could try for both Drury and Gomez. This was so smart by Sather. After next year the huge cap numbers of Jagr and Straka are gone. Keep in mind that the Rangers have a very good farm system with prospects that are ready to play in the NHL next year. Drury and Gomez will be the backbone of the team when Jagr and Shanny depart. Jagr knows he's almost done and having these guys will push him to get the cup.
The Rangers have never had an great 2nd line, defenses ganged up on Jagr time and time again. Now, with Drury and Gomez its a pick your poison scenario for teams that play the Rangers. Sather has made this organization young, fast and deep from top to bottom. With two great centers, historically the Rangers weakness, Sather has secured a cup contending team. Cherepanov will be on the team in for the 2008-09 season. lastly, for all of you guys who think this deal hurts the NHL, well when was the last time the NHL had the backpages of the NY papers? It will tomorrow morning and that is GREAT for the NHL.
Last edited by METROPOLITAN 2007 on July 1st at 8:15 PM.
I've heard rumblings of a few trades but I hope the Rangers just stand pat and resign Henrik and Prucha. Sather does have the reputation of getting giddy after he does something big and that is what scares me. he should resign Avery also.
No matter if Gomez or Drury play on the first line this is a huge step in the right direction for the Rangers. We finally have 2 good centers to play along side the likes of Straka, Jagr, and Shanny. Now the Rangers need to tie up Henrik for the long term and resign Avery; dump losers like Malik, Weeks, Orr, and Hollweg and bring up more young talent. Cup '08?
Malik is old but is a solid defenseman he should NOT be traded. Hollweg is a checking machine and is a very good, fast player. If Hollweg develops some scoring, he fits in perfectly. The Rangers still need players to defend and check. Weeks is a serviceable back-up goalie. Lets not get crazy
First TKF that was hilarious. But really I think that we can expect over 100 points from both Jagry and Gomez in the up comming season. I pick Jagr for the Rocket Richard trohpy, he'll probably lead the league in points as well. When was the last time he had a center who was this damn good playing with him? Oh yeah Super Mario.
Well I shoud restate I am not going to go on long Dean Bashing tirades,
All I said was thanks for nothing. Drury was the guy I really wanted
But I am trying to get over the Ryan Smyth thing now
Thadd
I was wondering where you were. What did I say that was funny? I am just curious. And to what you said, It scares me to see Drury Gomez and Jagr on the same sheet of Ice on the powerplay 2 passers to set up that nasty onetimer Jagr has SCARY The Rangers just moved up to the top or the East and Buffalo is slowly fading into the sunset
Last edited by True_kings_fan on July 1st at 8:37 PM.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
