Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: Five Best Lou Lamoriello Re-Acquisitions

By Charlie Borges Jr.

NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 09: Lou Lamoriello addresses the fans during the former New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur jersey retirement ceremony before the game between the New Jersey Devils and the Edmonton Oilers on 9, 2016 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 09: Lou Lamoriello addresses the fans during the former New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur jersey retirement ceremony before the game between the New Jersey Devils and the Edmonton Oilers on 9, 2016 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils – Scott Gomez (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images) /

3. Scott Gomez

Scott Gomez was a first-round pick in the 1998 NHL draft. He burst onto the NHL scene during the 1999-2000 season, taking the hockey world by storm. He earned the Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year in the league, scoring 19 goals and 70 points. 70 points, a record for the most in Devils history for a rookie, a record that still stands today. He remained with the Devils until the end of the 2006-07 season.

Gomez was seen as a number one center on most teams, and during free agency in the 2007 offseason, he cashed in. Signing a massive contract with the New York Rangers, alienating himself from the fans that loved him at the start of his career. He was booed relentlessly every time he touched the puck in Newark as a member of the Blueshirts or any team after that. He would make stops in Montreal, San Jose, and Florida before coming to a crossroads in his career.

He struggled mightily since he left New Jersey, only having one or two successful seasons. Lou Lamoriello gave Gomez a chance to return to the Devils in the 2014 offseason. He signed Gomez to a PTO. Gomez played well in the pre-season. Unfortunately, there was no room for him on the roster. A few injuries and demotions later, Gomez signed a deal for the rest of the season. Gomez would soon make Lamoriello and fans wonder why he was not signed sooner.

Gomez scored 34 points in 58 games. While doing so, he erased all the sour taste in the mouths of fans. All was forgiven, and Gomez was a feel-good story for what was an otherwise forgettable 2014-15 season.

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