Your Gomez Solution (but no "easy" way out)

[Trizzak]

Alright, let's hear your solutions to "The Gomez Situation", but here is the challenge... burying him in the minors isn't an option this season. It's extremely unlikely that the organization will pay Gomez 7.5 million to play in the AHL, so let's treat it as an impossibility. (Though I would point out that the season after he would only be paid 5.5 mill and 4.5 mill respectively... a much more likely financial burden to be buried.)

So go for it... find the team(s) that Gomez can be traded to and for what, or post what needs to happen to get him going on the Canadiens.

[BrenDittero]

I'm very interested in this thread and look forward to hearing alternatives to just keeping him.

Personally I can't imagine that any team would want him at this point. That contract is a huge burden for seemingly little production.

I say keep him and hope that he turns his words into action next year with a better season.....then try to unload Gomer in the 2012 offseason if his stock goes up.

He had a bad season but he's not a terrible player.

[BCHabnut]

Simple really. The solution is do nothing, and give him a real left winger to pass to. Moen, Darche, Halpern all had cement poured their gloves at birth. We all know that Montreal is missing a top six forward. Everyone, including me, is pegging their hopes on Paccioretty being that guy. It may or may not be the case with Patch, but many rookies show signs of spirit, only to fade into the woodwork again. If Paccioretty continues to play hard and drive the net, Gomez will be better by default.

Gomez is not going anywhere next year. The following year, I could see him going to a small market team looking to hit the cap floor.

My guess is that he will have a better year next year. Not because he will play better, but because his line will be less predictable. If I am a defenseman, defending against Gomez, Gionta, and Darche, I won't over commit to Gomez. I try to steer him to his normal corner knowing that he is not going to score. The rest of the team can then cover Gionta. I know it's not quite that bad, but it's close. The caveat here is that if Gomez worked on his shot and started putting the puck in the net, they would be slightly less predictable, and they would have more options. If Paccioretty or signed scorer play well, the line has even more options and become a 2b line that is tough to defend against.

[BTH]

Maybe to the Oilers, Avalanche, Lightning or Stars? They're teams with cap space that might attempt to make the playoffs.

I really don't see him leaving.

[Trizzak]

1st attempt:

Tyler Bozak (qualifying offer of $826 875)

Jonas Gustavsson ($1 350 000)

Jeff Finger ($3 000 000)

($5 176 875 Total)

for Scott Gomez ($7 357 143)

Not a lot of salary going back Montreal's way, but Toronto drops a shit goalie with heart problems, an overrated college signing, and get Finger off the books. Toronto gets a "#1 centre" to play with Kessel.

Love it or leave it?

[YeahBud]

He will have over 30 assists if he plays with Max next season. Problem solved.

[Habsy]

He will have over 30 assists if he plays with Max next season. Problem solved.

Right on. Mix in 15 goals of his own, and let's not forget Gionta's 30 goals.

[YeahBud]

Right on. Mix in 15 goals of his own, and let's not forget Gionta's 30 goals.

Amen Brother. I am hoping that this topic turn into a non issue next season. Just like the whole Price-Halak bull$hit discussion of last off season...

[hab29RETIRED]

I think the restrictions on your post, pretty much is self-serving to say we have to keep Gomez and give him another chance.

There is no way anyone is going to be dumb enough to trade for Gomez unless we were to go to a team like the islanders or panthers (who wouldn't want to pay that much to Gomez anyway, even to to get to the cap floor) and say that we will give gomez and our 1st and 2nd and third pick for their 5th pick.

I doubt if some owner was dumb enough to give Mike Milbury another shot at the GM's job, even a complete idiot like Milbury wouldn't trade for Gomez.

The only options I see for Gomez is give him another chance (one that i don't support) or move him to Hamilton for 1 year and then hope either changes in the CBA will allow us to dump his lazy ass, or someone will be willing to pick up his cap hit in 2012-13 when his salary is considerably less then his cap hit.

On the other hand, i do see someone like Florida who needs to get to the floor willing to pick 1 year of Spacek's if we packaged Spacek and say a third pick for a 4th or 5th pick. incentive for the team would be they may also be able to pick up something else for Spacek at the trade deadline by moving him again. I wouldn't mind dropping in the draft to unload Spacek's salary, in order to have a shot to solidify our D by being able to have flexibility to resign Markov/Wiz/Gorges/Gill or if we dump Gomez, resign Markov/Wix/Gorges/Bieksa.

I don't know everyone is so concerned about who to pick up if we dump Gomez??? How hard is is to pick up a centre that can produce 45 points???? IMO, ownership should eat Gomez's cost for this year and then move him, or hope the new CBA allows better options to deal with lousy contracts like Gomez the in 2012-13.

For next year, I'd much rather have ownership step up eat Gomez's salary and move him the following year. I'd rather have the habs go after a centre with size like Brooks Laich and peg him into a third line role and give Eller a shot at the #2 spot. I'd also rather have Desharnais on the wing rather then continue using him as a centre. If Eller shows he is not ready to make the move, you move Laich to #2 - which is still a hell of a better option then a lazy gomez, who can't score, backcheck, or win a faceoff of his life depended on it.

[dlbalr]

For next year, I'd much rather have ownership step up eat Gomez's salary and move him the following year. I'd rather have the habs go after a centre with size like Brooks Laich and peg him into a third line role and give Eller a shot at the #2 spot. I'd also rather have Desharnais on the wing rather then continue using him as a centre. If Eller shows he is not ready to make the move, you move Laich to #2 - which is still a hell of a better option then a lazy gomez, who can't score, backcheck, or win a faceoff of his life depended on it.

If Gomez can't win a draw to save his life, you're likely to be more disappointed with Laich in that regard. The last 3 years:

Gomez: 48.0, 50.8, 52.4 (Gomez taking more draws each year too)

Laich: 51.3, 45.1, 51.1

Gomez is average on the draw, always has been. Yes, he struggled in the playoffs but he's almost always within +/- 2% of 50. Ideally, you want a player with that average to be the 3rd best faceoff guy on the team, behind your #1 C and your specialist which is about where he falls.

[Trizzak]

I think the restrictions on your post, pretty much is self-serving to say we have to keep Gomez and give him another chance.

I think you're hoping for something that won't happen.

Attempt #2

Sheldon Souray ($5 400 000)

Gilbert Brule ($1 850 000)

($7 250 000)

For

Scott Gomez ($7 357 143 with 3 more years)

Money is basically the same for this season, then Gomez helps them hit the cap floor for 2 seasons when he's cheaper to pay.

[hab29RETIRED]

I think you're hoping for something that won't happen.

Attempt #2

Sheldon Souray ($5 400 000)

Gilbert Brule ($1 850 000)

($7 250 000)

For

Scott Gomez ($7 357 143 with 3 more years)

Money is basically the same for this season, then Gomez helps them hit the cap floor for 2 seasons when he's cheaper to pay.

If we picked up Souray, I think we'd have to eat his salary as well. only advantage is that its only for one year. The guy sucked even in the minors and was injured as well. To make that trade, you just have to hope that Souray gets hurt and stays on LTIR.

I'm hoping and if ownership is really serious, the need to eat his salary. The two best moves Sather made in the last 10 years were trading away Gomez and dumping Redden to clean up part of the mess he created. PG needs to do the same with Gomez and Spacek. The only difference is that at least Spacek is only signed for one more deal and he has a salary that with enticements can be moved.

[hab29RETIRED]

If Gomez can't win a draw to save his life, you're likely to be more disappointed with Laich in that regard. The last 3 years:

Gomez: 48.0, 50.8, 52.4 (Gomez taking more draws each year too)

Laich: 51.3, 45.1, 51.1

Gomez is average on the draw, always has been. Yes, he struggled in the playoffs but he's almost always within +/- 2% of 50. Ideally, you want a player with that average to be the 3rd best faceoff guy on the team, behind your #1 C and your specialist which is about where he falls.

Gomez is supposed to be at his best in the playoffs and wasn't he something in the 30 percentage range on the draw.

At least Laich is a guy who can get 20 goals, plays an honest game, plays a two way game with a real effort and brings the kind of physicality that Gomez can only talk about. The only drawback with trying to pick him up I see, is that someone may get stupid and actually pay him 2 to 3 times what he is getting or like a #1 or #2 centre, kind of like the deal Madden got few years back - in which case, I'd pass on him.

[Trizzak]

In a 15 minute off-and-on conversation with dlbalr on gtalk, we've come up with 3 more possible deals for Gomez. This really isn't impossible.

[hab29RETIRED]

In a 15 minute off-and-on conversation with dlbalr on gtalk, we've come up with 3 more possible deals for Gomez. This really isn't impossible.

Nothings impossible, but given the length of Gomez's salary it is improbable. I said back in October that Edmonton would be a good trading partner for Gomez, given that they were trying hard to get rid of Souray and they needed a centre to play between and mentor their young wingers. We could then let Souray rot away in the minors. But given that Souray only has one year left now and Gomez sucked even more this year then last year, I think the Edmonton ship has sailed. Other teams that need to get to the cap floor like the Islanders or Panthers, probably wouldn't want to pick up a guy with the term that Gomez has left.

[BlueKross]

Nothings impossible, but given the length of Gomez's salary it is improbable. I said back in October that Edmonton would be a good trading partner for Gomez, given that they were trying hard to get rid of Souray and they needed a centre to play between and mentor their young wingers. We could then let Souray rot away in the minors. But given that Souray only has one year left now and Gomez sucked even more this year then last year, I think the Edmonton ship has sailed. Other teams that need to get to the cap floor like the Islanders or Panthers, probably wouldn't want to pick up a guy with the term that Gomez has left.

What I am hearing here is that people are generally willing to keep Gomez because they don't believe he can't suck that bad for another year. If you can trade him, you probably have to break his contract amount in pieces. You would take maybe two players and bury one in the minors. When Kommi wasn't clicking in Toronto, Kommi/Finger for Gomez is an example. You could tweak that by exchanging prospects. That particular landscape has moved, but that is what you are looking for. My estimation is the millstone you are carrying is 4M over value, you need to drop that lose to 2M if you can.

[habs rule]

if we are going to bury 5-7 mill in the minors, what is the difference. Just bury Gomez. But I think he can come back and be a leader on this team. Some people here hated him the moment we got him cause of his salary well that ship has sailed, so we need to work with him and get him back to at least a 50 to 60 point guy.

[Trizzak]

Brian Rolston ($5 062 500)

Dainus Zubrus ($3 400 000 with 2 more years)

Bryce Salvador ($2 900 000)

($11 362 500)

for

Scott Gomez ($7 357 143 with 3 more years)

Short term pain, long term gain. More deals would need to happen to be cap compliant, but it's one season of financial pain to accommodate for better moves in the future. NJ gets a playmaking centre for Elias and Kovulchuk.

Am I the only one having fun with this?

[dlbalr]

if we are going to bury 5-7 mill in the minors, what is the difference. Just bury Gomez. But I think he can come back and be a leader on this team. Some people here hated him the moment we got him cause of his salary well that ship has sailed, so we need to work with him and get him back to at least a 50 to 60 point guy.

$2 million dollars. That's a somewhat notable difference, the Molson's don't exactly have infinite funds here.

Brian Rolston ($5 062 500)

Dainus Zubrus ($3 400 000 with 2 more years)

Bryce Salvador ($2 900 000)

($11 362 500)

for

Scott Gomez ($7 357 143 with 3 more years)

Short term pain, long term gain. More deals would need to happen to be cap compliant, but it's one season of financial pain to accommodate for better moves in the future. NJ gets a playmaking centre for Elias and Kovulchuk.

Am I the only one having fun with this?

You wouldn't necessarily need another cap compliant move. Salvador's career is likely over with a concussion, he'll just be LTIR'ed by whoever has him.

[bar]

What about trying something like:

To Ottawa

- Weber

- Gomez

To Montreal

- Gonchar

Trade one under achiever for another, with Weber in to sweeten the deal, since I really believe that Wiz will be getting a decent contract from someone, in the range that Montreal wouldn't want to match.

[saskhab]

Gonchar is worse value than Gomez. He's a whole DAY younger than Hamrlik and worse than him (and injury prone), signed to Hamrlik's salary for the next two years guaranteed. They should be sending us the Weber type player... Weber is worth a couple of million on his own in terms of asset value.

So yeah, I think that trade could happen if the Habs were to offer it. In fact, I assume it would happen if they did. Because we'd be losing that trade big time.

[bar]

I dunno, Gonchar is better offensively than Hammer, but meh, I don't think there will be any takers, I was trying to find some sort of dealers for Gomez. There will not be a situation where getting rid of Gomez will be a 'win' for the Habs...

[hab29RETIRED]

What about trying something like:

To Ottawa

- Weber

- Gomez

To Montreal

- Gonchar

Trade one under achiever for another, with Weber in to sweeten the deal, since I really believe that Wiz will be getting a decent contract from someone, in the range that Montreal wouldn't want to match.

You gotta be kidding me?? Brian Murray should have been fired for following up the Kovolev signing with signing Gonchar. He is pretty much washed up, is a one dimenstional old Dman. He was great Dman in his day, but he is not an upgrade.

On top of that you want to throw in Weber??? Haven't we already made that mistake by throwing in McDonough AND the rights to the other russian dman (name escapes me now - guy who bolted to the KHL), on top of that. That would mean we gave up three damn good defensive prospects for the honour of taking two has been lousy contracts.

I really don't understand why people are so eager to give upon Weber. I think he can be a solid #3/#4 dman with a great offensive upside in a cojuple of years. Have we not learned from giving up on O'Byrne???

[Trizzak]

What about trying something like:

To Ottawa

- Weber

- Gomez

To Montreal

- Gonchar

Trade one under achiever for another, with Weber in to sweeten the deal, since I really believe that Wiz will be getting a decent contract from someone, in the range that Montreal wouldn't want to match.

I agree with other posters on this one... Gonchar is 37 with 2 more years of guaranteed 5.5 per season. He can't get buried in the minors (full NMC)and if he retires, he still counts against the cap. If that deal is done, it's a 1 for 1. We don't need to sweeten the pot.

But it also may hurt the Habs more than help them... unless Gonchar rediscovers his game.

[bar]

*shrug* This is all hypothetical anyway, I was just trying to find a situation where the money would match up, I wonder if the habs could work a deal like sending Gomez plus a couple first rounders for a blue chipper prospect on another team. If we feel Gomez is a bum, I suspect other teams feel the same way.