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#Isles Transaction: Stephen Gionta has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way NHL contract. He has been recalled from loan (Bridgeport). pic.twitter.com/4BCqqO3EUu
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) December 21, 2016
Might a Gionta Brothers Christmas special be on the TV schedule for this Friday night?
Brian Gionta and his Buffalo Sabres will travel to Brooklyn to face the Islanders.
Today, the struggling Islanders signed veteran center Stephen Gionta to a one-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) contract.
Stephen Gionta, 33, has played seven games this season for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers where he scored one goal and two assists.
Gionta attended Islanders training camp on a PTO contract, however, suffered a broken foot. He has been playing in Bridgeport on a minor league contract.
Arthur Staple reports that Isles captain John Tavares was shaken up on Tuesday night and missed practice on Wednesday. Perhaps the Gionta promotion from Bridgeport is a tell that JT won't be able to play against his buddies Kyle Okpos and Matt Moulson on Friday night in Brooklyn. The game will mark Okposo's first trip back to Brooklyn since he signed a 7 year, $42 million UFA contract with the Sabres on July 1.
Believe Gionta recall is a precaution in case Tavares can't play on Friday. 91 had maintenance day today, appeared to hurt hand/wrist Tues.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) December 21, 2016
Last season, Gionta scored 11 points (1 goal, 10 assists) and played all 82 regular season games with the New Jersey Devils. The Rochester, NY native finished fourth on the Devils in penalty minutes with 43.
Since making his NHL debut in 2010, Gionta has posted 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) and 93 penalty minutes in 270 regular season games, all with New Jersey. Gionta added seven points (three goals, four assists) in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games during his lone post-season appearance in 2011-12, helping the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Final.
Prior to his NHL career, Gionta spent five seasons in the AHL with the Lowell Devils and Albany River Rats, collecting 146 points (63 goals, 83 assists) in 374 games. While in Albany, Gionta set a club record with 371 games played, ranked fourth all time in goals and third in assists and points.
Big brother Brian, a veteran of 955 career NHL regular games and 112 career NHL playoff games, is a 15 year veteran and is in his third season as captain of the Sabres. Brian has 7 goals and 7 assists in 31 games this season.
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It's the most wonderful time of the year.
I was having a frustrating day until I saw this video appear on my Twitter timeline.
In an instant, my mood lightened and my heart soared.
Suddenly, Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You," is my favorite Christmas song this holiday season. In fact, I'm committing to building an endless loop of this entertaining Sabres player collabo.
Jack Eichel Sitting on Zach Bogosian's lap is as festive as festive!
Jack Frost returned from a high ankle sprain injury in late November and returned to the Buffalo lineup to erupt for 8 points in 10 games played this season.
Jack is simply having a wonderful Christmas time!
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to have @Jack_Eichel11 singing loud for all to hear. 🎶 #HockeyHolidays pic.twitter.com/7wSEuKolAf
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 22, 2016
Ryan O'Reilly and Marcus Foligno are crooners from a bygone era.
Nic Deslauriers channels his inner Dean Martin while a sultry and seductive Robin Lehner sings straight from the heart.
Rasmus Ristolainen exudes the holiday spirit through the eyes of a young child on Christmas.
Obviously the Sabres' version of the Christmas classic wasn't equally as good as Mariah's, but it was close, and we're sure she'd appreciate the effort they put into the song.