July 1, 2007
Rangers sign Gomez, Drury TheFourthPeriod.com
The New York Rangers hit two monster homeruns on the first day of free agency, signing both Scott Gomez and Chris Drury to long-term contracts.
Gomez has signed a seven-year, $51.5 million contract, while Drury has agreed to a five-year pact worth $35.25 million.
Gomez, who will earn an average of more than $7.357 per season, played in 72 games for the New Jersey Devils last season, Gomez recorded 13 goals and 47 assists for 60 points.
Drury, who will make an average of $7.05 million per year, scored a career-high 37 goals and added 32 assists for 69 points with the Buffalo Sabres in 2006-07.
Gomez, 27, has skated in 548 career regular season contests with the New Jersey Devils, registering 116 goals and 334 assists for 450 points, along with 362 penalty minutes.
The Anchorage, Alaska native was originally New Jersey's first round choice, 27th overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
Drury, 30, has skated in 628 career regular season contests with the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres, registering 193 goals and 271 assists for 464 points, along with 352 penalty minutes. He has reached the 20-goal mark in seven of eight NHL seasons and surpassed the 50-point mark six times in his career.
The Trumbull, Conn., native was originally a third round choice of the Quebec Nordiques, 72nd overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.
