Brian Gionta

Alright there is a ton of discussion about him and his future with the team, maybe easier to direct it all into one place?

Either way I wanted to start this discussion though.

With Gionta's performance last season and the one prior being significantly below his record breaking season I think he is at the end of his rope in NJ. However, I don't think we will see anything happen to him until at/around the deadline this season.

Regardless of that perception though, he was given a contract based on the big season he had for us and our desire to keep him around with that kind of performance. I think a lot of people thought he might be the next St. Louis. Out of no where this small guy that most people wouldn't think would cut a roster in the NHL turns into a scoring machine and is a huge factor on the ice night after night.

But as we all know, Brian has failed to even periodically mimic the type of game he played in his 48 goal season. Looking back at that season he was very very close to equating his goals with his assists, 48g 41a 89pts.

Now I don't know what we can chalk it up to, but doesn't anyone remember when Brian would purposely shoot at the far pad of a goalie if he didn't have a decent shot at the net, so that a center or the other winger driving to the net could get a chance at a rebound? What happened to these smart plays? Now he almost inevitably fires a shot 4 feet over the net, or straight into the netminder's crest.

I think if he doesn't start performing at at least 80% of the level he played in what is seeming to be a complete fluke of a season, I can see him being dealt at the deadline. So I think it's a good question to wonder if he's going to be able to step it up the way he can should or is he going to fizzle out?

I have nothing to validate my feeling on this, but something tells me Brian is going to blow us all away this season. I don't know why and I'm not even absolutely sure of it...I've just got a gut feeling.

But I still would do a straight up swap for Havlat right now if Chicago would do it.

I don't think the trade Gionta stuff is anti-Gionta as much as it is recognition that if the Devils are to get a top 2 pairing defensemen someone with some salary must go and he is the most movable.

If the Devils can't get a deal done for a puck moving defensemen then I don't want to see Gionta traded.

I like Gionta, but this season the Devils had no players that could compliment him. I think he will have a much better season this year with Rolston on the point of the power play. Remember when he scored 48 goals, about 20 of them came on the PP. Who gets the puck to the net from the blueline? Only Martin can quarterback the PP but he's only one player.

Gionta is at his best around the net. I think the problem with him this year is that he never had the opportunity to do that this year. If you look back at his goals this season they are all goals where he has to take a slap shot from relatively far outside of his former office.

What happened to his great deflections? His ability to maneuver in front of the crease? Those are things that made him successful. Those are the things he has to get back to if he wants to put up 30 goals again.

I think Gionta is one of two players that get way too much flack on these boards. The other is Colin White. Gionta works harder than 90% of the players in the league, is respondsible in his own end, and has plenty of speed. What he doesn't have is great puck handling skills. Thats what separates him from St. Louis. St. Louis can stick handle in a phone booth, Gionta is pretty much a straight shooter. Brian can't take the puck into the zone himself, he's not strong enough on the puck to maintain possession.

I think Gionta bounces back next year, but Sutter has to utilize him in the right way though.

keep him or trade I don't really care. If we make any kind of trade you can almost guarantee him being involved because of his contract, value, and our cap space.

If we do trade him it will most certainly be for a top 4 dman which is all we could get for him realistically. My opinion is that it wouldn't help or hurt our team that much either way. I may just want to hang on to his 25 goals and 50+ points.

A comparable trade was made between Edmonton and Carolina earlier where Eric Cole, who i think is just a tick below Gio, managed to amount to Joni pitkanen. I personally don't think a dman like Joni would help us enough to really justify a trade.

think about it 2 years ago most of his goal production came off of rebounds . We could'nt hit the net this year to save the world im sure that helped contribute to his lack of offense .. also playing with different people night in and night out will hurt a scoring forward..

'I would also do a swap Gionta Havlat, but I believe if we trade him, we should go after a solid puck moving defender instead of an offender.

Gionta had that record season for him, and signed at a very reasonable 4 million dollars. The year after, he had a less impressive season, but still he did not suck, and I believe that he missed some time because of an injury and would have gotten +- 30 goals. Correct me if I am wrong. The year after that, Gomez leaves and all of a sudden, Gionta loses his effectiveness. Gionta is a guy that likes to camp around the net and go for rebounds and deflections. Somebody that does not generate a lot by himself. Gionta truly misses a guy like Gomez, and nobody can deny that.

But, our team never really takes shots from the point, hence, no deflections possible. MAybe this is gonna change now that we have Rolston. We certainly will shoot more often, and especially on the PP which could boost Gionta´s production. Hell, I would like to imagine what kind of possibilities there were for him, if we now had another guy like Boyle on defense.

What I want to say is, Gionta has been nothing to write home about the last 2 season, but he is still a 25 30 goal player, which cannot be neglected on a defense first team, and 4 million is quite reasonable. He´s also on his last year which means he might play for a contract and be better this season just because of that.

I would not mind seeing him dealt before the season starts and, because of his high salary compared to the other expendable players, he is the most likely one to get dealt. But I would have no problem with it whatsoever to keep him for the season, especially if Bergfors and Vrana do not impress in camp, because that is what it comes down to. Do we have the players in our system to replace Gionta? If so, ok, let´s deal him. If not, maybe we will all be happy to have the smallest guy with the biggest hockey heart :-)

Not having a blueliner putting the puck on net really killed him this year. Plus for whatever reason, he had these delusions that he was a sniper, but he's not. He's a gnat. He's gritty and works for those 'garbage goals'.

The reason you see his name so much in trade talks is because he's our most tradeable asset - he's proven and can work in a system - plus at 4 mil he's not too hefty in price but does the best out of our moveable guys in freeing up space. Zajac's name gets thrown around a lot but you won't get much return on him due to his age. Plus he doesn't make much money so you don't do any good to your own cap number.

I like Gionta, but this season the Devils had no players that could compliment him. I think he will have a much better season this year with Rolston on the point of the power play. Remember when he scored 48 goals, about 20 of them came on the PP. Who gets the puck to the net from the blueline? Only Martin can quarterback the PP but he's only one player.

Gionta is at his best around the net. I think the problem with him this year is that he never had the opportunity to do that this year. If you look back at his goals this season they are all goals where he has to take a slap shot from relatively far outside of his former office.

What happened to his great deflections? His ability to maneuver in front of the crease? Those are things that made him successful. Those are the things he has to get back to if he wants to put up 30 goals again.

I think Gionta is one of two players that get way too much flack on these boards. The other is Colin White. Gionta works harder than 90% of the players in the league, is respondsible in his own end, and has plenty of speed. What he doesn't have is great puck handling skills. Thats what separates him from St. Louis. St. Louis can stick handle in a phone booth, Gionta is pretty much a straight shooter. Brian can't take the puck into the zone himself, he's not strong enough on the puck to maintain possession.

I think Gionta bounces back next year, but Sutter has to utilize him in the right way though.

Yeah I think that is a big part of it too. But deep down I sort of feel like Julien is what hurt him the most...that pacifist bull **** "offense" he employed was just down right awful. In the end I think it may have caused Brian to regress to his pre-lockout self with just a little more scoring.

Surely I could be wrong, but you're right...his deflections and grit in front of the net were our/his meal ticket and even this year he got a few ugly goals.

I really hope he's lined with Rolston because we all know he has the shot and with Brian in front of the goalie, we can really make that work. But if he doesn't get on a pace for at least 30 goals next season I think I'd like to move him. Especially for the aforementioned reasons.

I know we're looking for a dman to move the puck, but I think that responsibility is going to be put on the shoulders of Martin or Oduya. They are both capable, but we also need to have them work on that now and in camp and get the ball rolling.

I'd like a better player back there but at this point I don't think it will happen.

I don't dislike Gionta, but as a RFA, I don't want to lose him for zero return. We need a defensemen, so he's the guy that I would want moved. If Lou re-signs him tomorrow for 2 to 3 more years, great.

I don't think the trade Gionta stuff is anti-Gionta as much as it is recognition that if the Devils are to get a top 2 pairing defensemen someone with some salary must go and he is the most movable.

If the Devils can't get a deal done for a puck moving defensemen then I don't want to see Gionta traded.

totally agree with you here apart from, if he stays. i really think at least one young guy needs to make the forwards. i dont know if thats possible with him still here???

what is kind of sad, Gionta would probably bring in a hefty return at the trading deadline, but Lou would never deal any playery at the deadline, except if we are eliminated from the playoffs, which, I have a strong feeling, we are not.

I don't dislike Gionta, but as a RFA, I don't want to lose him for zero return. We need a defensemen, so he's the guy that I would want moved. If Lou re-signs him tomorrow for 2 to 3 more years, great.

uh what?

Tradeth Thy Midget.

If we trade him - we better get a legit top 2 D man in return. He's going to have better success if he's on a line with Rolston's shot.

Straight up swap for Havlat?! OOooooh man i'm half-way full.

They might actually be inclined to shed some salary of his. Havlat @ half a season is almost = to Gionta at a full season.

True, there is plenty of love for Gionta. I think the only reason why people want to trade him is cause he is the only guy we're willing to get rid of that will garner any return. He stays here, I'm happy (with a lower contract). He goes, we can get some goods.... like Havlat

It's pretty simple as to why he had a tough time last year:

1) He needs a playmaking center. Funny, the only small success he had last year was when he played on a line with Parise and Elias. He's more confident playing with better players, and damn more creative.

2) He was totally misued by the coaching staff. The checking line? Please. On the right wing of Travis Zajac? Not going to get it done. And his placement on the Powerplay was an abomination. The guy is a garbage goal scorer and a fantastic deflector of pucks. When he was on the first powerplay unit, he was not in front of the net, and then late in the season when he was demoted to 2nd unit PP time with the likes of Travis Zajac, Sergei Brylin, and Mike Mottau, it'd be tough to fathom how he could tip-in goals even if he was in front of the net.

This past year was his only poor season, but it was an explainable one. And he wasn't the only person to have a tough time. I think that the team had a tough time adjusting to the new coaching philosophy and the constant line shuffling. Yes, Gio didn't do a bad job on the checking line, but how do you expect him to produce there.

He's a productive player in a certain role, and a certain role only, and if he's not going to play with Patty, who needs to be at center, just trade him. Before I hear all the *****ing and moaing continue.

Yeah i agree that he was poorly utilized. if our top 6 looks like...

Rolston-Elias-Gionta
Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner

...then i think he will have a comeback year and so will Zajac.

I think we should keep him, but if he isnt playing up to par i wouldnt mind dealing him at the deadline for a top 2 dman.

I want to see Gio stay. We seen what he is capable of, yea he had an off year but I would certainly give him another year to prove to everyone that his 40+ goals was no fluke.

I want to see Gio stay. We seen what he is capable of, yea he had an off year but I would certainly give him another year to prove to everyone that his 40+ goals was no fluke.

Well part of my point is...this should be his year to prove if it was a fluke or not. I'm not willing to give him another full-season to prove himself, I'd be much happier dealing him at the deadline for something we need more than to sit around hoping it all comes back.

I feel like he's going to be better, but if he's not, I'm going to be a big advocate for a trade. ESPECIALLY if he continually tries to shoot pucks directly into goalies chests.

I don't think the trade Gionta stuff is anti-Gionta as much as it is recognition that if the Devils are to get a top 2 pairing defensemen someone with some salary must go and he is the most movable.

If the Devils can't get a deal done for a puck moving defensemen then I don't want to see Gionta traded.
Bingo. I have nothing against Gio (and I think he could have a bounce back year scooping up rebounds from Rolston's shot), but if we need to take on salary to get a better defenseman he really is the only one that it makes sense to move.

I don't dislike Gionta, but as a RFA, I don't want to lose him for zero return. We need a defensemen, so he's the guy that I would want moved. If Lou re-signs him tomorrow for 2 to 3 more years, great.
:huh:

Gio is signed for one more year at $4 million dollars.

Bingo. I have nothing against Gio (and I think he could have a bounce back year scooping up rebounds from Rolston's shot), but if we need to take on salary to get a better defenseman he really is the only one that it makes sense to move.


:huh:

Gio is signed for one more year at $4 million dollars.

Yeah I didn't understand that either.

Yeah, and after this year he's a UFA; not RFA.

I want to see Gio stay. We seen what he is capable of, yea he had an off year but I would certainly give him another year to prove to everyone that his 40+ goals was no fluke.

I don't want him to stay, and I don't want him to have a good year if he does. Why? It's a contract year for him, either way we're ****ed.

I don't want him to stay, and I don't want him to have a good year if he does. Why? It's a contract year for him, either way we're ****ed.

Why wouldn't you want him to have a good year either. If he does bad, he doesn't come back because he sucked and if he does well, he prices himself out of the Devils plans, but at the same time he helps the team.

Why wouldn't you want him to have a good year either. If he does bad, he come back because he sucked and if he does well, he prices himself out of the Devils plans, but at the same time he helps the team.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

and if we can develop a winger over the course of this season, we have his replacement for cheap and can hopefully work on our defensive issues.

Why wouldn't you want him to have a good year either. If he does bad, he come back because he sucked and if he does well, he prices himself out of the Devils plans, but at the same time he helps the team.

That's just it. We should trade him before we lose him and get nothing in return. My anti-Gio attitude does have a lot to do with his crappy play, but the main reason I want him gone is because we've let 3 very good players walk away without getting anything in return, and I don't want to see that happen again.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

and if we can develop a winger over the course of this season, we have his replacement for cheap and can hopefully work on our defensive issues.

I want him traded this offseason because he's easily our most tradeable asset and now we have the depth to absorb the loss of him. And he can bring back a top 4 guy.

That's just it. We should trade him before we lose him and get nothing in return. My anti-Gio attitude does have a lot to do with his crappy play, but the main reason I want him gone is because we've let 3 very good players walk away without getting anything in return, and I don't want to see that happen again.

I totally agree with you. We should trade him now in the offseason, at least I think, for some defensive help. I was just confused about how you said you wanted him to play poorly. I think I've got it straightened out now.

Package him and Andy Greene with the '09 pick we got from Minny, that has to bring in a decent defensemen.

Package him and Andy Greene with the '09 pick we got from Minny, that has to bring in a decent defensemen.

I would try to send Vishnevski instead of Greene that opens up more cap room. Greene only makes 100,000 more than the minimum so moving him doesn't clear up anything.

Well part of my point is...this should be his year to prove if it was a fluke or not. I'm not willing to give him another full-season to prove himself, I'd be much happier dealing him at the deadline for something we need more than to sit around hoping it all comes back.

I feel like he's going to be better, but if he's not, I'm going to be a big advocate for a trade. ESPECIALLY if he continually tries to shoot pucks directly into goalies chests.

I agree, give him till the deadline, I think he'll prove himself though. oh and by the way at least he hits the net.

I would try to send Vishnevski instead of Greene that opens up more cap room. Greene only makes 100,000 more than the minimum so moving him doesn't clear up anything.

yeah I wouldn't mind that. With White + Salvo we're pretty solid with physicality on the back end and although he had a less than stellar season last year, it doesn't mean Andy won't be, at the very least, a solid defensive d-man in the long run.

oh and by the way at least he hits the net.

Yea, the protective netting behind the goals.

Yea, the protective netting behind the goals.

dude you totally beat me to it. :biglaugh:

Yea, the protective netting behind the goals.

AHHH your too hard on the guy.

AHHH your too hard on the guy.

Are you kidding me dude? I'm sorry but 90% of the time it was goalies chest or protective netting for Gio. It made me physically ill to watch him last season. And I've been a big Gio fan since 02-03.

Are you kidding me dude? I'm sorry but 90% of the time it was goalies chest or protective netting for Gio. It made me physically ill to watch him last season. And I've been a big Gio fan since 02-03.

The Devils should hiring a shooting coach! If we already have one then fire him. Not one damn person on the devils could hit the back of the net on a consistent basis. Every shot every person took was right at the center of the goalie.

Are you kidding me dude? I'm sorry but 90% of the time it was goalies chest or protective netting for Gio. It made me physically ill to watch him last season. And I've been a big Gio fan since 02-03.

It's all strategy. Now, every goalie is saying "oh it's Gionta I can just stand here." But thats when he starts picking the corners and cashes in for 60 this year :sarcasm:

I want him traded this offseason because he's easily our most tradeable asset and now we have the depth to absorb the loss of him. And he can bring back a top 4 guy.

agree with u. why wait 80% of the season to get what u really need on defense when it can be done now. i just dont get why lou would wait all the way til the deadline to only maybe consider moving him. the d needs some help and it needs it now.