On Wednesday, the Ottawa Senators signed veteran forward Scott Gomez to a one way contract worth $575,000 lasting through the end of the 2015-2016 National Hockey League regular season.
Senators sign Scott Gomez for the remainder of the 2015-2016 Season
Prior to being signed with the Senators, Gomez began the season on a professional tryout offer with the St. Louis Blues, where he played a total of 21 games, but was quickly placed on unconditional waivers when the Blues’ regular players returned from injury. Gomez then thought about retiring from the league, but was stopped and talked out of it by former Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates. Following Oates’ advice, Gomez signed yet another professional tryout offer, this time with the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears.
In Hershey, Gomez was a contributor, scoring 24 points in only 18 games played, and added leadership to the young affiliate team. “He could not have been a more motivational and encouraging leader to our younger players, and a mentor for our veteran players. Scott knows that the door is always open for him in Hershey,” said Hershey Bears president and general manager Doug Yingst. On Monday, February 29th, Scott Gomez exercised his release from the Bears and went into negotiations with Ottawa.
Gomez adds depth and leadership to the Senators roster. Now, especially with center Kyle Turris out for the rest of the season with a high ankle sprain, it is likely that Gomez will fill the role and will be expected to be a contributor and leader, as he was in Hershey, for the playoff pushing Senators.
If the Senators do end up making the playoffs (Currently five points behind the last wild card holder in the Eastern Conference), Gomez will not be allowed to play due to the fact that he signed after the NHL’s trade deadline.
Main Photo:
Caption: NEWARK, NJ – NOVEMBER 10: Scott Gomez #93 of the St. Louis Blues takes the puck in the third period against the New Jersey Devils on November 10, 2015 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.The St. Louis Blues defeated the New Jersey Devils 2-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
