The only reason I can imagine why the Montreal Canadiens unloaded Chris Higgins to the NY Rangers would be his partying ways.  That’s of course an allegation, but let me highlight how bad this deal is for the Habs:

TO HABS
- Scott Gomez (an $8M salary cap hit for an 16-goal scorer!)
- Tom Pyatt (”he will be lucky if he plays in NHL and is a mini Guy Carbonneau”, according to Pierre McGuire)
- Michael Busto (East coast player)

TO RANGERS
- Pavel Valetenko
- Doug Janek
- Chris Higgings
- Ryan McDonagh (former top round pick)

I can live with a straight Gomez for Higgins swap, but why toss in McDonagh?  Bear in mind the Habs will lose defenseman Mike Komisarek, especially now that his pal Higgins is gone.

Way to go Bob Gainey.  Then again, Gomez isn’t paid to score, but to set up passes and for his playoff success (as a Devil, as a Ranger, he was a bust, especially at $8).  I guess it will all depend on who else the Habs bring on over the summer… but with $8M due to Gomez, one wonders: how much will be left to anyone else.  We shall see.  Jury’s out, we guess.

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