Rangers Trade Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto to Canadiens for Chris Higgins, Doug Janik, Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko

Analysis:  The biggest name in this deal is obviously 2-time Stanley Cup winner Scott Gomez.  Being signed through 2013-14, this Alaska native has been a slight disappointment for the New York Rangers.  Being signed in the summer of 2007 to a 7-year, $51.5 million deal, Gomez has registered 128 points in two seasons with the Rangers, which is a little lower than the Rangers had originally expected.  In 2005-06, Gomez registered 84 points in 82 games with the New Jersey Devils.  He is still a top-line center, but Montreal will be hoping that he can earn his paycheck with better point totals for the remainder of his contract.

Going with Gomez is 22-year old winger Tom Pyatt.  Being selected in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Rangers, Pyatt is known for his offensive instincts and good hands, but has yet found a way to crack the Rangers' lineup.

Defenseman Mike Busto will also be joining Gomez and Pyatt in the deal.  In 2007, Charlotte Checkers head coach Derek Wilkinson said that Busto's "skill set is getting better, but his intensity level needs to improve, and he has just got to get a little more assertive. The talent is there now, the drive just needs to match it."

Going to New York, Chris Higgins, much like Gomez, had a bit of an off-year in 2008-09.  Higgins registered just 23 points in 57 games for Montreal, while nursing hand and groin injuries throughout parts of the season.  Higgins' best year came in 2007-08 when he notched 27 goals and 25 assists for 52 points.  He can still be a top-6 forward if utilized properly.

Doug Janik is a 29-year old journeyman defenseman who has seen time with the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars and also spent two games with the Montreal Canadiens last season.    He is an unrestricted free-agent on Wednesday.

Ryan McDonagh is a top-prospect being dealt in this trade.  He is the number one defenseman for the University of Wisconsin who found his way to the “Hockey's Future Top 50 Prospects, Spring 2009” on hockeysfuture.com.  McDonagh possesses a great amount of speed, as well as the ability to control the puck in key situations.  New York will be getting a star defenseman as long as they give him the right amount of time to develop.

The last player dealt in this trade is Pavel Valentenko, a left-handed defenseman who hails from Russia.  He owns one of the hardest shots in the AHL but does lack some offensive ability.  He plays a solid defensive game, something that the Rangers will be happy to add to their lineup.

Bottom line:  This was a salary dump by New York to free up some money for the free-agency period, but they also got a good return for Gomez.  McDonagh will be a solid two-way defenseman for them and Chris Higgins can be a strong player given the right line-mates. 

Montreal looks like they will be parting ways with long-time captain Saku Koivu after making this deal.  They got another strong first-line center in Gomez, but losing a guy of Koivu's magnitude may hurt the Canadiens in the locker room.  The only reason that this trade may not go in favor of Montreal is because of Gomez's high salary, making it tough to land any other key free-agents or finding extra funds to re-sign goaltender Carey Price after next season if he plays a strong year.

Advantage:  New York Rangers