81 replies to this topic

[ghdi]

Didnt darche say that gomez told him to go to the devils if they called? apperently he spoke really highly of us so maybe he does want to come back. i would take him back

Yea he said both Gomez and Gionta told him this was a good place for him.

[roomtemp]

Part of me hopes so because it'd be hilarious like when Holik signed back with us. We're screw though if we are counting on him to be a 2nd line center

[Devils Pride 26]

I've been calling this for a long time. The reward out weighs the risk. He has skills not many players on our roster have. Will help out our power play for sure.

[iamtheprodigy]

Part of me hopes so because it'd be hilarious like when Holik signed back with us. We're screw though if we are counting on him to be a 2nd line center

Uh, we still have Elias and Henrique, you know.

[Devil Dan 56]

There were rumors last year that Gomez had told people close to him that he'd gladly go to Jersey again if he could. Just a rumor, of course, but it isn't impossible.

The Devils are in a good position. Gomez needs them way more than they need him. The could definitely get him on the cheap if it comes to that.

[ghdi]

Part of me hopes so because it'd be hilarious like when Holik signed back with us. We're screw though if we are counting on him to be a 2nd line center

I dont think anyone would be counting on him for anything. It'd be giving him a chance at no risk to us. I think he'd be lucky to start on the 3rd line at best.

Gomez's ability to see the ice and open slots for passes is natural for him and is something we were missing even last year at times. I also think the fact he was in real pressure cookers (like Montreal) affected him severely. I have no sympathy for him at all, but I think if there's any chance for Gomez to salvage his career, its probably here or another place where there is very little pressure.

He got a stupid contract offer from our biggest rival and ran for it. It happens in all sports. Its just a matter of a fan and being willing to forgive or not.

[Chuck the Duck]

As much as it pains me to see it happen, this is the typical Lou move...pickup a known quantity for a cheap price. He COULD be a good complimentary player on the second or third line, and it will give us some depth at F where we clearly need it. It also would allow us to keep the 4th line intact and keep Cam/Barsch out of the lineup on a regular basis, which is a win-win for all.

Plus, it would be nice to see Gomez come back with his tail completely between his legs. If it makes the team better, then I say go for it.

[Devil Dan 56]

And honestly, a confident Gomez working with Kovalchuk could be very nice on a powerplay.

[NJDevs4978]

What I don't get is where is the Habs' motivation to even do this? They don't save a dime by buying him out early.

I think the Rangers would buy out Redden anyway just because he's been the good soldier there for two years playing in the minors, but I don't see the motivation for the Habs to let Gomez go free unless there's something in this amendment I'm missing.

[iamtheprodigy]

What I don't get is where is the Habs' motivation to even do this? They don't save a dime by buying him out early.

I think the Rangers would buy out Redden anyway just because he's been the good soldier there for two years playing in the minors, but I don't see the motivation for the Habs to let Gomez go free unless there's something in this amendment I'm missing.

I'm no expert on this stuff by any means, but don't they save more money if they buy him out now? If they hold on to him for the full year and scratch him every game, they are paying him is full contract value to do nothing. If they buy him out now they only pay a percentage of it, I think.

[Chuck the Duck]

What I don't get is where is the Habs' motivation to even do this? They don't save a dime by buying him out early.

I think the Rangers would buy out Redden anyway just because he's been the good soldier there for two years playing in the minors, but I don't see the motivation for the Habs to let Gomez go free unless there's something in this amendment I'm missing.

The Habs have no real reason to do it. It doesn't benefit them at all, unless they are worried he get injured walking to the store on the icy street of Anchorage at some point before they can buy him out at the end of the year. However, it is the classy move and I wouldn't put it past Montreal to do the right thing and get rid of him now when they have no need for him and are going to buy out his contract anyways.

I'm no expert on this stuff by any means, but don't they save more money if they buy him out now? If they hold on to him for the full year and scratch him every game, they are paying him is full contract value to do nothing. If they buy him out now they only pay a percentage of it, I think.

I thought I read that they still have to pay him the full amount of his deal for this season if they buy out the contract now.

[DevilMinder]

The TSN experts on Twitter said its a 100% buyout no discount like the original 2 summer ones are. Montreal doesn't have to do it, but it would be more in the "spirit of the CBA" thing that spurred the quick revision and complaint from NHLPA.

[NJDevs4978]

The TSN experts on Twitter said its a 100% buyout no discount like the original 2 summer ones are. Montreal doesn't have to do it, but it would be more in the "spirit of the CBA" thing that spurred the quick revision and complaint from NHLPA.

I guess like someone else said their only real motivation is if he falls down a stair and they can't buy him out, or does plyometrics or whatever it was that got Zajac hurt last year

[Zubie#8]

I would welcome him with open arms. Our bottom six is hurting and he will be a Sykora type reclamation project. The past is the past.

[capo]

The TSN experts on Twitter said its a 100% buyout no discount like the original 2 summer ones are. Montreal doesn't have to do it, but it would be more in the "spirit of the CBA" thing that spurred the quick revision and complaint from NHLPA.

Plus, the whole mess will simply be over for them and they can move on.

But, could you imagine the dirt on their face if they did do it now and he came here and had a huge half season. This is why I think they wait.

[DJ Eco]

So many Devils saying how bad our bottom 6 is, like they weren't one of the main reasons we went far in the playoffs last year? You guys are delusional...

I have more faith in the bottom 2 lines to be our shining star early this season than I do in our top 2 (without Parise) to figure out the chemistry, especially with Josefson/Butler/possibly Tedenby in play.

[BlueSkirt]

The Habs can benefit, as the Rags will as well, by eliminating the contract they are buying out --- because there is a 50-contract limit per team....

Another benefit is that since this year's buyout is being pro-rated, the buyout is less than half the contact's value.

So instead of paying out 2/3 of the contract for two years, instead they will pay 1/2 this year & 2/3 next year & also be able to sign another player this year and remain under the 50-contact limit

[Triumph]

So many Devils saying how bad our bottom 6 is, like they weren't one of the main reasons we went far in the playoffs last year? You guys are delusional...

I have more faith in the bottom 2 lines to be our shining star early this season than I do in our top 2 (without Parise) to figure out the chemistry, especially with Josefson/Butler/possibly Tedenby in play.

Both can be true. Carter-Gionta-Bernier was massively outshot in the playoffs. And that's just Carter-Gionta-Bernier - imagine one of those guys missing and a goon like Janssen or Barch in his place. Now granted DeBoer left that Gionta line out against difficult matchups, but I expect that 4th line to get beat soundly during the regular season. And that's if the team stays healthy - god forbid there's injuries and we see the horrendous Tim Sestito up.

[NLinfante]

Both can be true. Carter-Gionta-Bernier was massively outshot in the playoffs. And that's just Carter-Gionta-Bernier - imagine one of those guys missing and a goon like Janssen or Barch in his place. Now granted DeBoer left that Gionta line out against difficult matchups, but I expect that 4th line to get beat soundly during the regular season. And that's if the team stays healthy - god forbid there's injuries and we see the horrendous Tim Sestito up.

While it may be true that they were outshot (and that's never good in the long term), they were a combined +11 in the playoffs, and that includes all of them carrying a - for the SCF. In your terms, I would agree that they don't "drive play", but I'd love to see a true 4th line that does. As a coach, I wouldn't count on them to be quite as productive this year, but they're also a step above the Cams and KB's of the league without question. Not to mention that Carter and Bernier have a physical aspect to their games if necessary.

[Marshall]

So many Devils saying how bad our bottom 6 is, like they weren't one of the main reasons we went far in the playoffs last year? You guys are delusional...

I have more faith in the bottom 2 lines to be our shining star early this season than I do in our top 2 (without Parise) to figure out the chemistry, especially with Josefson/Butler/possibly Tedenby in play.

But the bottom 6 won't be the same as last year. Nor will the top 6. How are we delusional?