Armchair GM Poll: Re-Sign or Release Scott Gomez?
By Phil DeHaven
In the previous two Pucks & Pitchforks Armchair GM Polls we’ve covered two forwards who have been major disappointments for the New Jersey Devils this season in Michael Ryder and Martin Havlat. With the polls turning out as I expected in the majority of votes calling for letting both Ryder and Havlat walk, our next player in the poll series is someone who might be a tough decision come this off-season.
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Scott Gomez returned to New Jersey this off-season on a tryout invitation to training camp after spending the last 7 seasons with the New York Rangers (2007-2009), Montreal Canadiens (2009-2012), San Jose Sharks (2012-2013), and the Florida Panthers (2013-2014).
Hoping to come back to the organization that he won the Calder Trophy and two Stanley Cups with, he knew he would have to accept any role GM Lou Lamoriello asked of him after falling out of the spotlight with some disappointing seasons outside of the organization.
While Gomez did not initially make the team, he would eventually be signed in late November due to the team’s rash of injuries. While this season may have been another wash for the Devils, Gomez has been arguably the team’s most productive forward (not named Mike Cammalleri) this year. In 56 games he has provided 7 goals and 25 assists.
He is currently tied for the team lead in assists with Adam Henrique and fourth on the team in points (32). Having played fewer games than those above him on the team in points he has really showed signs of his old self when he donned a Devils sweater for his first 7 seasons. With Gomez having his best season since his 2010-2011 with Montreal, the question now becomes what can fans realistically expect from the 35-year-old forward in the future?
Predictions
There’s no doubt that a big part of Gomez’s late career turnaround this season is due to Lamoriello giving him an opportunity to return to the system and franchise that made him successful initially. This late in his career, I can’t really see Gomez leaving New Jersey yet again where he knows he can likely plan in a top 6 role. With this year’s free agency class not looking too great, the Devils are probably going to have no choice but to re-sign him to hopefully be productive again next season while serving as a mentor for the younger players on the roster.
Dec 29, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; Senior VP of Hockey Operations Jim Gregory and New Jersey Devils center Scott Gomez (21) pose for a photo honoring Gomez
Due to Gomez only making $550,000 this year, I think he will get around a $1.25-$1.5 million one or two-year deal from the Devils this off-season. If I were Lou, I’d definitely re-sign him as he has shown he can still be productive this late in his career and can really help some of the younger players coming up with the Devils system.
Production wise, it may be harder to predict as his great production numbers this season came after some serious struggles over the three prior seasons. Even with only producing a combined 38 points from 2011-2014, I believe Devils fans can expect Gomez to produce numbers similar to his 2010-2011 season with Montreal in which he played in 80 games and added 7 goals with 31 assists (38 points). Next season with some added goal scoring help and more games I think he could play around 75 games and add 12 goals with 40 assists for 52 points.
What are your thoughts? Would you re-sign Scott Gomez if you were Lou Lamoriello or would you let him walk? Please vote in the poll below and feel free to share any thoughts on this in the comments section below.