Where have you gone Scott Gomez?
The first time I realized how good Scott Gomez was when he was a Ranger and he was playing head to head versus Saku Koivu. He was skating circles around the Habs captain all game. I was thinking that's what the habs need some speed down the center forget the size.
So I was delighted when Gomez was traded to the habs and this led to the signings of Gionta and Cammalleri. Cammalleri at once said he wished to play on a line with Gomez. Is it any wonder snipers wanted to play with Gomez who lived for assists. Gomez once led the league in assists in 2003-2004. His statistics prove that he has always been a playmaker rather than a goal scorer. He had one blip in his career where he got 33 goals one season, otherwise he has never scored more than 19 any season.
He had had an illustrious career with the Devils making it to the Stanley Cup final 3 times in 7 years. He did win the Holy Grail twice. Clearly he was an important cog but others such as Martin Brodeur and Scott Stevens among others more important ingredients. He also won the Calder trophy as Rookie of the Year.
It has been exasperating watching Gomez play the last two seasons previous to this one. He still skates like the wind reminiscent of Howie Morenz at times, at others he seems to be another Ron Flockhart making futile impotent dashes that result in him losing the puck along the boards. His hesitancy to shoot especially when he is nearing the net drives us to expletives. However, his passing skills have still been there the last two seasons and his playmaking is at times subtle and unnoticed. He has been one of the top two centers the last two years and the habs improved each year. In the playoffs, the habs have not been easy, and it was obvious Halak had much to do with what happened 2 years ago and last year it was a solid team effort that took the bruins to 7 games. Before Gomez, the habs went out 4 straight to the Bruins in the most embarassing habs playoff loss in recent history.
However, one thing about the last two seasons Scott Gomez was there for almost all the games and the Habs as a team improved each year. Gionta had productive years both years. Gomez had a terrible statistical year last year, but the Habs did well overall and improved over the previous year. So everyone said it was in spite of Gomez.
This year Gomez has only played 13 games. He has only 4 assists in an injury filled season. So how have the habs performed without the overpaid useless floater? Has Plekanec finally shown why he is the number one center now that he has more ice-time with the absence of Gomez. Has Cammalleri or Gionta lit up the league with centers like Plekanec and Desharnais? The Habs must be chasing the Bruins for number one overall now that the ineffectual Gomez is out of the line-up?
Could it be that Gomez takes the pressure off other players when he is in the line-up? Could it be that Gionta and Cammalleri have more space when Gomez is there. Wasn't Pacioretty on a line with Gomez last year when he was tearing up the league before his concussion? Wasn't PK more effective making his rushes when Gomez was beside him going at top speed as well? Where have you gone Scott Gomez?
So I was delighted when Gomez was traded to the habs and this led to the signings of Gionta and Cammalleri. Cammalleri at once said he wished to play on a line with Gomez. Is it any wonder snipers wanted to play with Gomez who lived for assists. Gomez once led the league in assists in 2003-2004. His statistics prove that he has always been a playmaker rather than a goal scorer. He had one blip in his career where he got 33 goals one season, otherwise he has never scored more than 19 any season.
He had had an illustrious career with the Devils making it to the Stanley Cup final 3 times in 7 years. He did win the Holy Grail twice. Clearly he was an important cog but others such as Martin Brodeur and Scott Stevens among others more important ingredients. He also won the Calder trophy as Rookie of the Year.
It has been exasperating watching Gomez play the last two seasons previous to this one. He still skates like the wind reminiscent of Howie Morenz at times, at others he seems to be another Ron Flockhart making futile impotent dashes that result in him losing the puck along the boards. His hesitancy to shoot especially when he is nearing the net drives us to expletives. However, his passing skills have still been there the last two seasons and his playmaking is at times subtle and unnoticed. He has been one of the top two centers the last two years and the habs improved each year. In the playoffs, the habs have not been easy, and it was obvious Halak had much to do with what happened 2 years ago and last year it was a solid team effort that took the bruins to 7 games. Before Gomez, the habs went out 4 straight to the Bruins in the most embarassing habs playoff loss in recent history.
However, one thing about the last two seasons Scott Gomez was there for almost all the games and the Habs as a team improved each year. Gionta had productive years both years. Gomez had a terrible statistical year last year, but the Habs did well overall and improved over the previous year. So everyone said it was in spite of Gomez.
This year Gomez has only played 13 games. He has only 4 assists in an injury filled season. So how have the habs performed without the overpaid useless floater? Has Plekanec finally shown why he is the number one center now that he has more ice-time with the absence of Gomez. Has Cammalleri or Gionta lit up the league with centers like Plekanec and Desharnais? The Habs must be chasing the Bruins for number one overall now that the ineffectual Gomez is out of the line-up?
Could it be that Gomez takes the pressure off other players when he is in the line-up? Could it be that Gionta and Cammalleri have more space when Gomez is there. Wasn't Pacioretty on a line with Gomez last year when he was tearing up the league before his concussion? Wasn't PK more effective making his rushes when Gomez was beside him going at top speed as well? Where have you gone Scott Gomez?
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