MONTREAL — The trade, essentially, was Scott Gomez to Montreal for Christopher Higgins, young defense prospect Ryan McDonough and the cleared cap space that allowed the Rangers to sign Marian Gaborik as a free agent.
Viewed through that prism, it was a slam-dunk for general manager Glen Sather to move Gomez, who never could have foreseen that his tenure on Broadway would last just two seasons after defecting from the Devils to sign that seven-year, $51.5 million free agent contract with the Blueshirts on July 1, 2007.
“It was a little different going through being traded as opposed to the whole New Jersey thing in leaving a team I’d been with for a long time to sign as a free agent,” Gomez said before the Canadiens met the Rangers here last night. “There was much more hype leaving the Devils to go to New York.”
Gomez always dreamed of playing on Broadway. He lived the dream for two years, but last season was a nightmare. Bothered by an early foot injury, Gomez had the worst season of his career while playing under former coach Tom Renney. When things barely improved following the hiring of John Tortorella, the Rangers actively sought to deal Gomez.
“Word kind of leaked out so I wasn’t shocked, but, hey, it’s a business, so I know how it is,” said Gomez, who was out fishing when he received official word of the deal. “Growing up in New Jersey with Mr. Lamoriello, you learn that it’s a business, first and foremost. I only played [in New York] for a couple of years, but the organization was great to me and my family. Playing in MSG was special, but last year for the first time I wasn’t 100-percent healthy, and it became one of those years for which I take full blame.
“It was an off year, but it’s in the past. We came so close to going to the second round. You think there’s no way [bring traded] is going to happen, but then it happens. But there’s no use in looking back, only forward. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the Rangers and the organization.”
Gomez, who had five points (2-3) in his first nine games as a Canadien playing on a unit with former Devils’ linemate Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri, said going from New York to Montreal is like, “going from the stove to the microwave.
“In New York, there’s a pecking order [of sports teams]. Here, it’s the Canadiens,” said Gomez, who is taking French lessons. “Off the ice, you’re always in the public spotlight. It’s different. I’m glad I got the experience in New York. They expect a lot here every night. They’ve been spoiled by some great teams and great eras. They’re passionate.
“It’s like New York in that if you win, there’s no greater place.”
It’s not, however, like New York in that there are no Yankees and Mets, no Knicks, no Giants and Jets. As a huge sports fan who enjoys going to games, that’s been a large part of the culture shock experienced by Gomez. He told a story about going to a sports bar on a Sunday and asking the proprietor to switch the television to football, only to have a CFL game go up on the screen.
“I was like, ‘What is this?’ ” Gomez said. “I didn’t have my cable in at the time. Now I do.”