Montreal, QC -- (Sports Network) - Just one day before the start of free agency, the Montreal Canadiens acquired forward Scott Gomez and two other players from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Christopher Higgins and three defensemen on Tuesday.

Gomez, who signed a seven-year contact with New York as an unrestricted free agent in 2007, had 16 goals and 42 assists last season to tie for the team point-scoring lead with Nikolai Zherdev.

Over his nine seasons in the NHL, with the first seven spent with the Devils, the Anchorage, Alaska native had 148 goals and 430 assists over 706 games. He was the first-ever Hispanic player drafted in the fist round of the NHL draft.

Gomez won the Calder Award after the 1999-2000 season and is a two-time Stanley Cup Champion.

"We are extremely pleased to have acquired an impact centerman in Scott Gomez," said Montreal general manager Bob Gainey. "He is an outstanding playmaker and an excellent skater. Having won the Stanley Cup twice with the New Jersey Devils, he brings to our team a lot of playoff experience. Scott is an elite player who will certainly contribute to the success of our team for years to come."

Montreal also acquired forward Tom Pyatt and defenseman Mike Busto in the deal. Neither player has seen action in the NHL.

Higgins, a five-year veteran, recorded 12 goals and 11 assists in 57 games last season with the Canadiens. In 282 career games, he has 84 goals and 67 assists.

Montreal also sent defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Pavel Valentenko and Doug Janik to New York.