The Florida Panthers announced on Wednesday that they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran center Scott Gomez. The deal is reportedly worth $900,000.
"Scott is a veteran center who adds further depth to the middle of our line-up," Panthers GM Dale Tallon said, according to CBS Sports. "He is a quick and skilled forward, with a wealth of hockey experience including two Stanley Cup titles, who will be a leader for our younger players."
The Stanley Cup titles for Gomez both came with the New Jersey Devils in 2000 and 2003. The Panthers, who were in need of a center before acquiring Gomez, are in re-building mode and look to Gomez to bring some veteran leadership to their younger players who will get some significant playing time this coming season. Florida hasn't done too much in the offseason as they are hoping to build the future from within.
Gomez, 33, played in 39 games last season with the San Jose Sharks after agreeing to a one-year $700,000 contract with them last January. He scored two goals and had 13 assists for 15 points, mostly spending time on San Jose's third and fourth line.
Gomez scored 33 goals in his best season with New Jersey in 2005-06 and also had 84 points, but lately the aging center has been a player in decline. After being traded from the New York Rangers to the Montreal Canadiens in the 2009 offseason, Gomez's game began to falter. Gomez had just two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 38 games with Montreal in 2011-12 before the team opted to use its compliance buyout to clear cap space.
Gomez has played in 941 career NHL games and has 171 goals, 530 assists and 701 points after being drafted 27th overall by New Jersey in the 1998 draft. The Panthers know that it's a low-risk signing as it's only a one-year commitment, and the team believes Gomez will help its young up and coming talent.
Florida scored the fewest points in the entire NHL last season, only garnering a 15-27-6 record, good enough for just 36 points.
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