Devils in a Tight Spot: Gomez Gets $5 Million in Arbitration

• Gomez Awarded $5 Million in Arbitration

Other NHL News:

• Stars extend contract of GM Armstrong for 3 years

NHL Jeff's Take: $5 Million was my guess for what Gomez would receive in arbitration. I knew he was highballing at $7 million and that the Devils were low-balling at $4 million. I am almost sure the Devils will accept the award and sign him, but what they will do after that remains to be seen. There seems to be no way the team can afford to keep both Gomez and Gionta (who has yet to go to arbitration) and remain under the cap. In all likelihood they will accept both awards and trade one of the players. It is popular belief that Gomez will be the one traded with rumors stating interested teams as the Sharks, Coyotes, Oilers, and Canucks. The Sharks and Coyotes both seem possible to me.

I think it was a bit premature to award GM Doug Armstrong for the play of his Dallas Stars. While they have improved in the regular season under his reign, they have barely shown up in the playoffs. It seems to me that the team should have waited for Armstrong to show his teams can compete in the playoffs before extending his contract.