Scott Gomez in talks with San Jose Sharks: Reports
After the Montreal Canadiens bought out the rest of Scott Gomez’s contract, speculation about his next destination began.
Would he head to Carolina, which showed interest in him? Would he become the Chicago Blackhawks’ second-line center? Would it be a reunion with the New Jersey Devils?
Those three options were eliminated in the last 24 hours, with the focus now on California. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos believed Gomez could meet with the Anaheim Ducks. But multiple reports have him meeting with the San Jose Sharks on Saturday morning, with Bruce Garrioch writing that a 1-year, $700,000 offer has been tendered.
The connection between the Sharks and Gomez? Larry Robinson, who was signed last summer as an assistant coach after helping to lead the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final.
Robinson coached Gomez in his Calder Trophy-winning season in 2000, and there’s been a mutual respect between the two for years. Said Gomez of Robinson in 2003, when the coach was hired by the Florida Panthers:
"He's always patient with you and he gives you that confidence to go out and play. He's always positive and even though he'll definitely push your buttons sometimes, he'll go over it with you right after and let you know how to fix things.”
According to Cap Geek, the Sharks are just over $2.8 million under the cap at the moment. Coming out of camp, the Sharks’ centers were Joe Thornton, Logan Couture, Michal Handzus and Andrew Desjardins. Would he slot into a third line with TJ Galiardi?
Better question: Do the Sharks need two pass-happy veteran centers who never score as many goals as they should?
