After an independent arbitrator awarded center Scott Gomez with a $5 million salary for next season, Devils GM Lou Lamoriello found himself between a rock and a hard place.

Gomez, 26, made $2.204 million last season where he posted career highs in goals (33) and points (84).

The Devils have 48 hours to accept the arbitrator's ruling and sign Gomez or let him become an unrestricted free agent. It's believed New Jersey will accept the decision, but it might not mean they'll end up keeping him.


"I'm sure we're going to have to make some moves," Devils GM Lou Lamoriello told the Newark Star-Ledger. "I have no reaction to the ruling. We know what the process is. We accept the ruling and we go from here. We'll do everything we can to keep our team together."

According to the Star-Ledger, Gomez asked for $6.5 million during his arbitration hearing, while the Devils requested a salary of $3.5 million.

The Devils are also over the $44 million salary cap and still need to re-sign Brian Gionta, Paul Martin and David Hale.

As speculation runs wild surrounding a possible Gomez-trade, the Devils could also opt to deal such veterans as Sergei Brylin, Richard Matvichuk, Brad Lukowich or Jason Wiemer in hopes of shedding some salary.

"That's the only bum part of this," Gomez told the paper. "Now it's really out of my hands. We'll find out if they have to trade me. I knew the risk involved. Do I want to leave New Jersey? No. But that's the dirty part of hockey. I never wanted to leave the Devils, but I had my arbitration rights."

Among the teams reportedly interested in Gomez are Atlanta, Calgary, Florida, Los Angeles, Montreal and Phoenix.