Leave it to Lou!
Jul 27, 2006
Scott Gomez always said he wanted to stay in New Jersey -- and he will.
At least for another year.
On Thursday, Devils boss Lou Lamoriello put his pen on Scott's new $5 million salary for the 2006-2007 season.
This was the result of the recent arbitrator's decision when Gomez, who earned $2.204 million last season, asked for $6.5 million.
Despite reports that Lamoriello would deal Gomez to preserve his salary cap structure, the Devils' GM/CEO/President insisted to me that Gomez had to remain part of the club's core, which includes Martin Brodeur, Colin White, and Patrik Elias, among others.
Actually, Lou had only two choices: He could have left Gomez to walk or to exceed the one-year $5 million deal and Lamoriello was absolutely determined to retain the player who has meant so much to the team.
"The Devils have meant a lot to me," said Gomez. "I started my career with them and I like the guys on the team."
While Gomez likes New Jersey and the feeling is mutual, it's apparent that some of his teammates will have to move elsewhere if Lamoriello can remain within the $44 million league cap by the start of the season.
A glance at the Devils’ payroll indicates precisely who might likely be moved; should trading be possible.
For starters, there’s the disappointing duet of 2005-2006, Alex Mogilny and Vlad Malakhov who next season would earn $3.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively.
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Dan ($2.2 million) McGillis likely will wind up with the Devils’ AHL farm team in Lowell which brings us to Brad ($1 million) Lukowich who still may have some appeal for a defense-hungry club.
Which brings us to the redoubtable Sergei Brylin, who – with Brodeur – shares the distinction of having played on all three Devils’ Stanley Cup-winners.
Brylin earns $1.52 million and still has some savvy hockey left in him along with the assets of three rings.
As much as Lamoriello values Brylin as a loyal warrior, The Boss will not allow sentimentality to enter into his thinking. Should Sergei be moveable – and he should be – figure him to be in another uniform next fall. Retaining Gomez is more important.
Naturally, many media types believe that Scott is as good as gone.
Don’t believe it. Scott doesn’t necessarily believe it either.
When I mentioned that I’d miss him were he traded, he glibly shot back, “Hey, I could be back in Jersey at training camp. I don’t want to leave New Jersey.”
Lou can retain as much as ten percent over the Cap ($48.4 million) until the season-opener. Which means the Devils have at least two months and change to wheel, deal – and keep Gomez a Devil.
“I got what I wanted,” said Scotty, who had asked for $6.5 mil.
“We’ll find a way,” Lou, who had submitted a $3. 5 million arbitration offer, concluded.
My conclusion: Where there’s a Lou there’s a way!
