Pucks and Pitchforks
Fansided

Brian Gionta May Be Veteran New Jersey Devils Need

By Nick Villano

Mar 5, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Tyler Ennis (63) and right wing Brian Gionta (12) celebrate a power play goal by Gionta against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Tyler Ennis (63) and right wing Brian Gionta (12) celebrate a power play goal by Gionta against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New Jersey Devils roster is filled with young players ready to contribute to the present as well as the future. The team should contact a past star to help them learn how to win.

Brian Gionta is an integral part of the Buffalo Sabres since signing there three years ago. While he hasn’t been an offensive powerhouse, he’s done things you never see on the score sheet.

The Sabres captain sees a major overhaul in the front office, and behind the bench after the team fired coach Dan Bylsma and GM Tim Murray. He told the NBC Sportsnet that he was shocked by the firings, but still wanted to be part of the future of the Sabres, via the Buffalo News.

"“Obviously though, ownership wants a winning team and they want it now. We had a disappointing season and it’s on us players to be better. Whoever comes in, it’s for us to be better and be a team that can make the playoffs next year.”"

Obviously, Gionta’s preference is to stay in Buffalo. After the shakeup off the ice, the new regime may want to move on from their captain.

Gionta liked his role in Buffalo, as the grizzled veteran teaching the young kids how to win. Maybe he would like returning to where it all started to take one last role as the leader in the locker room.

Gionta gives the Devils its final hold to a player who won a Stanley Cup with them. He was a rookie on the Devils 2003 Stanley Cup winner. His entire career on the Devils, they were winners.

The locker room doesn’t have many players with that kind of experience. There are a few hold overs like Andy Greene and Adam Henrique from their last Stanley Cup Finals run. They have Ben Lovejoy, who won the Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, but he could be exposed in the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft. Beyond that, the team is young, up-and-comers.

Gionta may want to go to a playoff contender if he does move on. The 38 year old could also choose to hang up the skates entirely.

More from Pucks and Pitchforks

He owns the most goals ever in a Devils season, scoring 48 in 2005-05. Gionta still has enough skill to help the team on the ice. He’s the kind of player that is willing to play on any line, so he would give the Devils sorely needed secondary scoring. He plays well on the penalty kill, and can contribute on the power play, but he likely won’t need to do that on this team.

Gionta has a year left in the NHL, two if you are being extremely optimistic. It isn’t a risk bringing in a player of his caliber to teach players like Taylor Hall, Pavel Zacha and the eventual first-overall pick what it is like to be a winner. He shows them how to be professionals on and off the ice. He won’t cost the Devils too much on the cap, and he doesn’t need a long-term commitment. The Devils could use that kind of leadership on their bench if the Sabres decide to move on from its captain.

Home/Free Agency