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NHL | Rangers land centers Gomez and Drury

The New York Rangers solved their problems at center in a big way yesterday, signing Scott Gomez and Chris Drury away from Eastern Conference rivals on the first day of free agency.

The New York Rangers solved their problems at center in a big way yesterday, signing

Scott Gomez

and

Chris Drury

away from Eastern Conference rivals on the first day of free agency.

Just hours after the summer shopping season opened, the Rangers landed the two biggest available centers - plucking Gomez from New Jersey and Drury from Buffalo.

Gomez signed a seven-year deal worth $51.5 million - including $10 million next season. Drury inked a five-year contract for $35.25 million. He will earn $7.1 million each of the next two seasons.

The 27-year Gomez, a two-time Stanley Cup champion in his seven NHL seasons - all with the Devils - had 13 goals and 47 assists in 72 games last season.

Drury, 30, scored a career-high 69 points - including 37 goals - for the Sabres.

Colorado made the biggest moves among Western Conference teams. The Avalanche signed former Islanders forward Ryan Smyth - the last of the top-echelon free agents left on the market - to a five-year, $31.25 million deal, and former San Jose defenseman Scott Hannan to a four-year, $18 million deal.

In other deals, Sharks forward Joe Thornton signed a three-year, $21.6 million contract extension that keeps him with San Jose through 2011.

Anaheim found a potential replacement in the event captain Scott Niedermayer retires, signing defenseman Mathieu Schneider to a two-year, $11.25 million contract.

Dallas signed defenseman Sergei Zubov to a $5.35 million extension, adding a year to a contract that was set to expire after next season.

Detroit signed top-tier defenseman Brian Rafalski to a five-year, $30 million deal.

Toronto signed winger Jason Blake to a five-year, $20 million contract. Blake's stock rose after he scored 40 goals and 69 points - both career highs - with the Islanders last season.

Calgary bolstered its defense by signing Cory Sarich to five-year contract reportedly worth $18 million.

Pittsburgh secured one of its young core players, signing defenseman Ryan Whitney to a six-year contract worth $24 million. Whitney was a restricted free agent.

Florida signed three players: forward Radek Dvorak to a two-year deal; center Brett McLean to a three-year contract, reportedly worth $5.1 million; and left wing Richard Zednik to a two-year deal reportedly worth $3.25 million.

Washington signed two former Islanders - forward Viktor Kozlov, to a two-year deal, and defenseman Tom Poti, to a four-year, $14 million deal. Kozlov had a career-high 25 goals last season.

Chicago signed 14-year veteran center Yanic Perreault to a one-year contract.

Carolina signed center Jeff Hamilton to a two-year, $1.6 million contract.

The Islanders signed forward Jonathan Sim to a three-year deal.

Tampa Bay inked Michel Ouellet to a two-year deal after the forward was released by Pittsburgh last week.