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Drury, Gomez make debut with Rangers vs. Panthers

Oct 4, 2007 - 2:53 PM Florida at NY Rangers 7:00 pm EDT

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Entering the 2007-08 season, New York Rangers' fans have a lot to be excited about.

The Rangers' major offseason acquisitions, centers Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, will suit up for the blue shirts for the first time on Thursday when the club hosts the Florida Panthers in the regular-season opener for both teams.

Drury played a major role in ending the Rangers' season just over four months ago. The Boston University alum scored with less than eight seconds remaining to force overtime in the Buffalo Sabres' critical Game Five victory in last season's Eastern Conference semifinals.

Drury, who signed a five-year, $35.25 million contract as an unrestricted free agent, scored a career-high 37 goals in 2006-07 and added 32 assists in 77 contests.

As for the 27-year-old Gomez, he amassed 13 tallies and 47 points in 72 games last season with the New Jersey Devils. The Anchorage, Alaska native inked a seven-year, $51.5 million deal in the offseason and brings in two Stanley Cup championships (2000, 2003) under his belt.

Drury will likely center New York's top line with perennial All-Star Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka, while Gomez will play between Brendan Shanahan and Petr Prucha on the second line.

The Panthers also made a significant upgrade this offseason, acquiring goaltender Tomas Vokoun in a trade with the Nashville Predators. Vokoun, who has recorded at least 25 victories each of the last four seasons, was deemed expendable due to the emergence of Chris Mason while he was injured in 2006-07.

Florida's offense is built around center Olli Jokinen, who registered career highs of 31 goals and 91 points last season. Despite Jokinen's talents, the Panthers have nowhere near the offensive talent of the Rangers.