Signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Islanders on Saturday.
Unless the Islanders are besieged with injuries, Gionta is likely to spend more time in the press box than he will on the ice this season. He is likely to serve as the team's 13th or 14th forward should they elect to keep him on the roster to open the season.
Gionta was a loyal soldier for six years with the Devils, and prior to that a key player and former captain of their AHL affiliate. However, despite appearing in all 82 games this past season, Gionta managed to score just one goal and 11 points, and his minus-11 rating was a career low. At 32 years old, even Gionta has to admit that he’s no longer able to use his blazing speed as a weapon. He’s a versatile bottom-six forward who can play center or wing, but will need opportunities to arise.
Gionta has become a fan favorite in New Jersey thanks to his scrappy play on the team's checking lines but beware, he has more value to the Devils than to most fantasy rosters. He's a checking forward who will chip in offensively on occasion; Gionta registered 14 points in 48 games in his first full NHL season.
Stephen Gionta played in just one regular season game for the Devils before providing some big plays in the team’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals, notching seven points in 24 games. Gionta figures to remain in a checking role for the Devils and won’t see enough ice time to have a big enough impact offensively.
Gionta, the younger brother of former Devil and current Montreal captain Brian Gionta, failed to record a point in 12 games with New Jersey last season, and it led to a minus-3 rating. Gionta will likely start the season in the AHL and could be called up if/when the Devils sustain injuries to its fleet of forwards.
