Rangers Steal Free Agents Gomez, Drury

The New York Rangers signed free-agent centers Scott Gomez and Chris Drury yesterday, stealing two powerful offensive weapons from their rivals. Gomez was pinched from the neighboring Devils, and Drury—whose play against the Rangers in last year's postseason contributed to their demise—from the Buffalo Sabres.  

Drury's is a five-year no-move agreement worth $35.25 million; Gomez will be on board for seven years and $51.5 mil. New York had pushed hard for a top center; "we never expected to get both," said GM Glen Sather. Drury's Sabres have been hit hard by off-season negotiations; co-captain Daniel Briere is headed to Philadelphia on an eight-year deal. (More Scott Gomez stories.)