NEW YORK -- The Rangers have started trimming salary by trading star center Scott Gomez to the Montreal Canadiens for forward Chris Higgins in a six-player deal.
On the eve of the NHL free-agent shopping season, New York sent Gomez and his big contract that has five years remaining to Montreal on Tuesday with minor leaguers Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto. Along with Higgins, a Long Island native, the Rangers are receiving defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko from the Canadiens.
Gomez never really found his stride in New York after leaving the New Jersey Devils as a free agent two summers ago. He is signed through the 2013-14 season with a salary-cap hit of $7.35 million a year.
Devils acquire Walter
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils have acquired center Ben Walter and future considerations from the New York Islanders in exchange for the rights to center Tony Romano.
The 25-year-old Walter had 20 goals and 30 assists in 65 games for Bridgeport of the American Hockey League last season. He has played in 22 NHL games for the Islanders and Boston Bruins.
Romano, a Long Island native and New Jersey's seventh choice in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, spent last season with Peterborough in the Ontario Hockey League.
Blackhawks, Bolland agree on deal
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks and center Dave Bolland have agreed on a five-year contract.
Bolland, a restricted free agent, had 19 goals, 28 assists and a plus-19 rating during the regular season. He added four goals and eight assists in the playoffs while helping the Blackhawks reach the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1995.
The Blackhawks also reached agreements with restricted free agents Jake Dowell (two years) and Antti Niemi (one year), who both spent most of the season in the minors. Team spokesman Brandon Faber says all three deals need league approval.
Oduya re-signs with Devils
NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils are keeping Johnny Oduya away from the free-agent market, agreeing to terms with the defenseman on a new contract.
The team said Tuesday that Oduya has agreed to a multiyear deal. The 27-year-old defenseman had career highs with seven goals, 22 assists and 29 points last season -- his third in the NHL.
Flames ink Bouwmeester
CALGARY -- Jay Bouwmeester didn't wait for the start of free agency and signed a multiyear contract with the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.
Flames general manager Darryl Sutter traded Jordan Leopold and a draft pick to the Florida Panthers at the NHL draft last weekend to acquire Bouwmeester's rights and get a head start on the competition for the 25-year-old star.
Bouwmeester, who made just under $5 million in the final year of his contract, was due to become an unrestricted free agent today.
"I am happy to have this deal done as Calgary was a team I was very interested in playing for," Bouwmeester said.
