Michael Pachla: Building the Buffalo Sabres 2014-15 roster--RW, Brian Gionta

I agree with your take on gionta but like you said his goal scoring days are behind him. He may bring good value in terms of intangibles but I'm not sure he'd be effective in a top six role.

I agree with your take on gionta but like you said his goal scoring days are behind him. He may bring good value in terms of intangibles but I'm not sure he'd be effective in a top six role.
- Sabresfan-365

his 25+ goal seasons are pretty much long gone, but he had 18 last year and the choices at rw are staff, stew or....Flynn...

*shrugs*

I agree with your take on gionta but like you said his goal scoring days are behind him. He may bring good value in terms of intangibles but I'm not sure he'd be effective in a top six role.
- Sabresfan-365

He might not score as much but he can help the youngins learn how to score. Thats the least I expect from him.

He might not score as much but he can help the youngin learn how to score. Thats the least I expect from him.
- cabin

this

Hey Mike, you are doing a great job writing this series; thank you! Gotta disagree with you on this one, though. Stewart has got to get a long look in the top six to start the season.

Hey Mike, you are doing a great job writing this series; thank you! Gotta disagree with you on this one, though. Stewart has got to get a long look in the top six to start the season.
- Killinsurgents

Agreed.

Staff
Stewart
Gionta
Kaleta

But who knows. We don't really have enough talent to say we have a top 6... Nolan is gonna roll 4 all year

Hey Mike, you are doing a great job writing this series; thank you! Gotta disagree with you on this one, though. Stewart has got to get a long look in the top six to start the season.
- Killinsurgents

No doubt. We didn't get a look at Stew at all, and he's had the goods before.

Also, doesn't Gionta play center in addition to wing? Unless Sam cracks the lineup, and if Cody is on wing, who are our centers besides Ennis and Girgs? McCormick? 25? Yikes.

Agreed.

Staff
Stewart
Gionta
Kaleta

But who knows. We don't really have enough talent to say we have a top 6... Nolan is gonna roll 4 all year
- JCSabs06

The only reason I see Stewart on the third line with Sam (if he stays) and Foligno is for that power checking line. They can give closer to equal minutes with the second line to give Stewart some ice time.

No doubt. We didn't get a look at Stew at all, and he's had the goods before.

Also, doesn't Gionta play center in addition to wing? Unless Sam cracks the lineup, and if Cody is on wing, who are our centers besides Ennis and Girgs? McCormick? 25? Yikes.
- LandlordTom

They tried Foligno at Center if I remember correctly.

Plus Larsson should get a look.

He might not score as much but he can help the youngins learn how to score. Thats the least I expect from him.
- cabin

Can't really teach that. If the youngin isn't much of a goal scorer, it really doesn't matter how good a teacher Gionta is. His role will be more as an aid to the younger players on how to make it through the nhl as he has plenty of experience and a winning one at that.

Hey Mike, you are doing a great job writing this series; thank you! Gotta disagree with you on this one, though. Stewart has got to get a long look in the top six to start the season.
- Killinsurgents

no prob...can't be right all the time...just presenting a case, and, maybe more importantly, highlighting certain aspects of their careers...personally, I think stewart's inconsistencies along with injury and question marks moving forward place him on the third line to start...

what it all comes down to is camp and preseason

edit: appreciate the read

his 25+ goal seasons are pretty much long gone, but he had 18 last year and the choices at rw are staff, stew or....Flynn...

*shrugs*
- Michael Pachla

Gionta spent most of that regular season on a line Plekanec, not sure he'll be able to replicate that here.

He's still good but I'd give Stafford or Stewart the spot over them if for no other reason than to see if they have a future here or to boost trade value.

Gionta spent most of that regular season on a line Plekanec, not sure he'll be able to replicate that here.

He's still good but I'd give Stafford or Stewart the spot over them if for no other reason than to see if they have a future here or to boost trade value.
- Sabresfan-365

thought of that as well...and agree on your overall post...but, then again, I really don't think Gionta should be considered too old to hold down a top-six role this season

thought of that as well...and agree on your overall post...but, then again, I really don't think Gionta should be considered too old to hold down a top-six role this season
- Michael Pachla

I think he's more than capable of filling in for an injured player but really at this point in their career's i think it's staff's job to lose. If he's really a different player under Nolan then I'd like to see what he can do over 82 games with top 6 minutes.

I think he's more than capable of filling in for an injured player but really at this point in their career's i think it's staff's job to lose. If he's really a different player under Nolan then I'd like to see what he can do over 82 games with top 6 minutes.
- Sabresfan-365

hate to say it (89,) but Stafford may end up getting an extension...he played really well under Nolan and the goals started to come...I don't have that much hate for him...as outlined in my staff piece, imo, he was a product of the leadership surrounding him

hate to say it (89,) but Stafford may end up getting an extension...he played really well under Nolan and the goals started to come...I don't have that much hate for him...as outlined in my staff piece, imo, he was a product of the leadership surrounding him
- Michael Pachla

Another contract year for staff if I'm not mistaken.

Over/Under on number of bullpoop hat tricks? 7

Over/Under on empty net goals? 10

Man, I just watched the interview with Goodell on Good Morning America. That dude is sweating hard.

hate to say it (89,) but Stafford may end up getting an extension...he played really well under Nolan and the goals started to come...I don't have that much hate for him...as outlined in my staff piece, imo, he was a product of the leadership surrounding him
- Michael Pachla

I think he earns the A that he was given all of those years ago under Nolan.

Another contract year for staff if I'm not mistaken.

Over/Under on number of bullpoop hat tricks? 7

Over/Under on empty net goals? 10
- JCSabs06

yup it is...he doesn't have roy at center, though...one interesting bit I couldn't fit into the Stafford piece, roy was at center when vanek landed the $51m offer sheet and when staff re-upped for $16m

Man, I just watched the interview with Goodell on Good Morning America. That dude is sweating hard.
- JCSabs06

I am trying to determine if it is sad or impressive with how terribly they handled the Ray Rice situation and other situations like it.

For as strict as the NHL is on suspensions in some cases, the NFL is the polar opposite.

I think he earns the A that he was given all of those years ago under Nolan.
- thatsapickle

yeah...very possible...Nolan likes where his game is

yeah...very possible...Nolan likes where his game is
- Michael Pachla

He may become the benefactor of playing on a young team with a lot of cap space. 4X4 for Stafford may be too much for a lot of teams, but we'll almost have to give him that or give that to someone else.

The only reason I see Stewart on the third line with Sam (if he stays) and Foligno is for that power checking line. They can give closer to equal minutes with the second line to give Stewart some ice time.
- thatsapickle

I think if Reinhart stays that they'll put Gionta with him. Give him that old vet as a calming and skilled presence on his wing. Defensively responsible, has the skill/knowledge of the game but is just getting a bit too old and dropping off, but will be great to help shape the kid.

The problem IMO would fall on who the other winger would be. I wouldn't want a banger type (maybe Foligno) like McCormick or anything since that will just drag down offense.

I think if Reinhart stays that they'll put Gionta with him. Give him that old vet as a calming and skilled presence on his wing. Defensively responsible, has the skill/knowledge of the game but is just getting a bit too old and dropping off, but will be great to help shape the kid.

The problem IMO would fall on who the other winger would be. I wouldn't want a banger type (maybe Foligno) like McCormick or anything since that will just drag down offense.
- stashu

Foligno-Reinhart-Gionta could be a good line. Wouldn't put up too many points but I think it's a good line to start his NHL career with and perhaps it can help Foligno's game as well.