NHLPA might take issue with Scott Gomez & Wade Redden buyout situations
As mentioned yesterday, both Wade Redden and Scott Gomez are widely expected to be bought out at the end of this season. Both players are being told to go home, sit, and get paid for it -- the NHL's teams can't buyout injured players. While this is a smart strategy for the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens, the NHLPA is taking issue with two of their players being told that they can't play unless they're traded.
NHLPA has been in contact with the NHL and we are currently reviewing the decision by the Canadiens to ask Scott Gomez to stay home.
— Renaud Lavoie (@RenLavoieRDS) January 14, 2013
Not playing is a problem for Gomez for a few reasons. First off, he won't be able to stay in game shape as easily as he would if he were out on the ice. Secondly, both he and Redden would probably like to show off what they're actually capable of at the NHL level so they can generate interest for a trade. Right now everyone knows of Redden as "that huge contract with the Whale" and Gomez as "that rich guy who can't score goals." If you were a team's GM, how willing would you be to take a chance on them without watching them play?
