What’s new in the NHL’s free agency news
New York Rangers forward Scott Gomez will be a free agent next season, according to ESPN’s Craig Custance.
Gomez has been a key piece for the Rangers in their playoff run, scoring a team-leading 23 goals in the last three seasons and adding 12 assists and 38 points in 64 games.
He will be 31 in September.
The Rangers have a top-10 offense and Gomez is expected to help them reach that goal.
“Scott Gomez has had a career year offensively, and that’s an important part of any team,” Custance said.
“He has proven he can play all three zones and that he can score.
We believe he will be an impactful addition to any team, and he’ll fit perfectly into any roster.”
The Rangers are still searching for their top center.
Center Martin St. Louis and left wing Mark Arcobello have both been unrestricted free agents, and left winger Andrei Markov has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Custance said the Rangers would likely try to sign a left winger this offseason, and a right wing in the summer.
That’s where Gomez comes in.
Garcia is a top power forward who can play center and left wings, but he’s not the best offensive center in the league.
He was a top player in the KHL last season with nine goals, and has also scored 15 goals in 25 games with Russia’s Dynamo Moscow.
The Rangers signed Gomez to a four-year, $36 million contract in March.
Gonzalez has three years left on the deal.