HABS PAY BIG FOR GOMEZ
The Montreal Canadiens acquired center Scott Gomez, forward Tom Pyatt and defenseman Michael Busto from the New York Rangers for winger Christopher Higgins and defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Pavel Valentenko and Doug Janik.
What does it give the Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens may have been the only team in the league with the cap space and center needs to pick up Gomez' inflated salary at this time. Instead of trying to deal with Higgins on a new contract, they get Gomez locked in at a salary cap hit of $7,357,143/year for the next five seasons. The Habs also get a pair of serviceable players in Pyatt and Busto. This is a desperation move for a team that has had a devil of a time landing quality free agents.
What does it give the New York Rangers
What a great job of creating salary-cap space and adding assets at the same time by Glen Sather and the Rangers. Higgins could rebound in Manhattan after a so-so season in '08-09. McDonagh may become the key to the deal down the line, while Valentenko might become a sleeper if the Rangers have more luck getting him back to North America. Janik is filler. Overall, this is one of the best trades in Rangers history.
Fantasy impact
