Coyotes Seek Scoring Help
Coyotes executives likely will be monitoring the salary arbitration case of New Jersey Devils center Scott Gomez on Friday.
The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported that if the arbitrator sides with Gomez, the Devils may have to trade him because of salary-cap concerns.
Phoenix has wanted to acquire Gomez for years and is still seeking a top-six forward to add this off-season.
General Manager Mike Barnett doesn’t comment on players on other teams, but it’s no secret the Coyotes need scoring help and that they believe Gomez would be a nice fit in the Valley community given the Mexican heritage of his father/agent, Carlos Gomez.
Scott Gomez notched a career-high 33 goals and 51 assists last season and made $2.2 million.
The Devils reportedly have offered Gomez $4 million for next season, but the Star-Ledger suggests Gomez likely is seeking between $5 million and $6 million.
Carlos Gomez did not return a message seeking comment Wednesday.
“Scott is ready to leave if that is what is necessary,” Carlos Gomez told the Star-Ledger. “I think he’s going to do well in arbitration. That’s the chance the Devils are taking.”
The Coyotes have about $6 million left to spend this off-season under their self-imposed salary cap, but Phoenix still has to re-sign arbitration-bound forwards Ladislav Nagy and Mike Comrie.
If the Coyotes choose to swing a deal for Gomez, they most likely would have to give up multiple players to make it work financially.
In order to free up room for Gomez, the yotes would have to give up alot. as a fan i really would hate to see nagy go, and the yotes would be stupid to do it. I see them giving up players such as saprykin, scatchard, and mike comrie, if they agree to terms.