Veteran NHL center Scott Gomez of Anchorage, seeking work after the Montreal Canadiens bought out his contract, is traveling with the San Jose Sharks -- they are all in Calgary today for the season opener for both clubs -- and that makes it seem like a decent bet that's where he'll end up.
Gomez, who has played his entire 12-season NHL career in the Eastern Conference -- New Jersey, New York Rangers and Montreal -- could use the change of scenery.
The other player bought out of his contract, defenseman Wade Redden (bought out by Rangers) signed a one-year, pro-rated $800,000 deal with St. Louis. Look for Gomez to get something in that neighborhood. Money is not an issue. Montreal still owes him $6.2 million, roughly, over this season and the next two. Plus, he's earned tens of millions of dollars in his career and isn't the kind of guy to blow it.
Gomez, 33, is just looking to resurrect his career and enjoy the game again.
The Sharks would get a playmaking center who could also help out on the second power-play unitl (Joe Thornton is the first-line center). Also, they can get Gomez on the cheap, so there's not much risk to signing him to a one-year gig.
David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News, who is in Calgary, tweeted that he doesn't expect any deal to be announced today. Monday seems like a good bet -- it's an off day for the Sharks, who play in Edmonton on Tuesday, then have their home opener Thursday.
By DOYLE WOODY
Anchorage