This year’s NHL free-agency period started off with a bang for the New York Rangers.
Among the big moves so far, the Rangers traded Scott Gomez to the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday for 26 year-old forward Chris Higgins, a move that was fiscally responsible.
In trading Gomez, the Rangers unloaded a hefty contract that was eating up their salary cap with $33.5 million still left as part of a seven-year deal that Gomez signed in 2007 when he left the New Jersey Devils to join the Blueshirts. By gaining Higgins they get a Smithtown, New York native who should be able to contribute right away.
Higgins has good offensive upside, scoring 20+ goals in each of his three seasons prior to being injured last year. He is also a solid addition to the power play, scoring 12 power play goals in 2007–08. That type of firepower is now absolutely necessary after losing Fred Sjostrom to the Calgary Flames.
Speaking with www.newyorkrangers.com, Higgins was excited about the news. He said, “When [the trade] happened I was absolutely thrilled. If there was one team I wanted to play for besides Montreal it would be the Rangers. To play in front of my family and friends is a dream come true for me.” Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather also had positive things to say, “We think Higgins is a goal-scorer and we are very happy to have him. He’s also from the New York area, and he’s excited to be coming home. We think he is a good player and that is why we made the deal.”
In another move, the Rangers signed unrestricted free agent forward Donald Brashear, 37, from the Washington Capitals. Last season, the 6-foot-3 inch, 237-pound toughman was second among forwards for the Caps with 119 hits.
While age is a factor, Brashear brings a physical presence that the Rangers desperately needed after losing Colton Orr to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Orr, 27, was a fan favorite and will be missed. But hopefully Brashear can fill the void and bring his own brand of feistiness to the Garden.
Biggest Splash
The biggest splash for the Blueshirts came on Wednesday when they signed 27 year-old two-time All-Star Marian Gaborik from the Minnesota Wild to a five-year deal worth $7.5 million per year.
Of course, the money they were saving by unloading Gomez’s contract is now eaten up by Gaborik’s but the Rangers obviously feel his offensive skills are worth it.
Drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Gaborik was the face of the Wild because of his prolific goal scoring. During his eight seasons with Minnesota, Gaborik scored 30 goals five times. He also owns franchise records with 437 points, 219 goals, 218 assists, and 43 game-winning goals.
He now hopes to do the same for New York, “Obviously this is a big change and a big opportunity. Life brings a lot of changes, and it’s starting to hit me now that I am becoming a Ranger and it’s very exciting. The page turned [Wednesday] and I am starting a new hockey life.”
Gaborik’s down side will of course be his health. He has been hampered by groin and hip injuries since 2006–07 and missed 48 games during that season alone. Last year, he was limited to a mere 17 games after having hip surgery.
However, Gaborik is hopeful that his recovery is coming along well and should be ready to go at the start of the season. He said, “I feel great, and I don’t see any problems down the road. I will be coming to training camp in top shape.”
Gaborik is infamous for his five-goal game that came against his new club on December 20, 2007 in a 6–3 Minnesota victory.
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