INSIDE HOCKEY

NEW YORK – New York Rangers General Manager Glen Sather cleared cap space in advance of tomorrow’s start of free agency by trading forward Scott Gomez to Montreal for forward Chris Higgins in a six-player deal that involved three AHL prospects and one NCAA player. The NY Journal News is reporting this trade helps to clear space for Ottawa’s Dany Heatley, who, according to the newspaper, will be dealt to Broadway later tonight.

Higgins will be a restricted free agent Wednesday, but he made only $1.9 million, in stark contrast to Gomez’s contract, which carried a cap hit of over $7.3 million.

Gomez was one of the fastest skaters on the team, but didn’t seem to fit into coach John Tortorella’s brand of hockey – in fact, he was singled out Monday by Tortorella when the coach was questioned about whether anyone on the team had a safe spot.

“As far as the lines are concerned, and where everyone sits as far as the makeup of our team, that’s wide open. That’s everybody from Scott Gomez right on down,” Tortorella told reporters on Monday at the MSG Training Center in Westchester. “The only guy I know will be there as a starter is Hank. He’s going to be our starting goalie. But other than that, where everybody sits within the picture is wide open.”

Gomez scored 16 goals and added 42 assists for the Blueshirts this season, nearly leading the team in points. But he disappointed, largely because of his huge contract and propensity to joke with the media nearly every day – especially minutes after a tough loss.

“We get two hot meals a day waiting for you here, we got a great practice facility, we got limos flying all over the place, we got New York City, the theaters, I need this, I need that,” Tortorella said. “It’s time to put your hand – instead of asking for more, take it away and start getting things done.”

Higgins, 26, is a left wing from Smithtown, New York on Long Island. He scored only 23 points last year in a disappointing injury-played year. Two seasons ago, he scored 52 points for Montreal, which is the only NHL team he’s played for in five NHL seasons.

Meanwhile, the rumor mill continues to churn regarding Ottawa’s Dany Heatley. He is due a bonus of $4 million at midnight tonight, and Senators GM Bryan Murray has been desperately trying to deal him for weeks. Heatley carries a cap hit of $7.5 million, bigger than Gomez’s contract. The 28-year-old right wing was well off his career average last season at 39-33-72, but had 82 points two seasons ago and 105 points three years ago.