The Boston Bruins haven’t finished making moves as they announced that they have signed Team USA captain Brian Gionta to a one year, one-way contract this year worth $700K. TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reports (Twitter link) that the deal also contains a $100K bonus for ten games played (regular season and playoffs combined) plus an additional $50K for every playoff round Boston wins.
The move after trading for winger Rick Nash this morning, gives the Bruins two veteran leaders on the team who should increase the team’s depth at the forward position. A 15-year-veteran has a connection with the city as he played for Boston College between 1997 and 2001. After failing to find an NHL contract at the start of the season, the 39-year-old received quite a bit of attention when he captained Team USA during the Olympics to the quarterfinals in Korea these past two weeks. Despite not garnering a point in the team’s performance, Gionta still was able to catch on with Boston.
Even at his age, Gionta had a productive season last year as he scored 15 goals and added 20 assists for the Buffalo Sabres. Assuming he can break into the team’s lineup, he will likely help out the team’s fourth line or fill in for injuries as it prepares for a playoff run.
Why?
Exactly. Why?
as long as he doesn’t sniff more than the 4th line (dire circumstances not withstanding)… this isn’t terrible. what does this mean about the donato possibility?
Donato will still sign with the bruins. Someone on the 4th line will be a healthy scratch or sent down to providence
Rick Nash and Brian Gionta.
The Bruins are loading up for their 2006 Cup run, evidently.
That’s not fair. They should be competitive in 2007 as well.
So are the B’s throwing in the towel this season? First Nash now Gionta???? What is going on?
Gionta is odd, although he does bring experience but still odd. But getting a guy who will score a total of 20-25 goals this year is throwing in the towel? Go back to your XBox
Thank you
I like it! Clearly building a playoff team with a mix of Veteran Leadership Players and Young Guns.
Old and slow ain’t beating Pittsburgh
8-4 :)
Amazing that people have never heard of depth. At that price? That contract is nothing. This isn’t a video game where you can turn injuries off. It doesn’t hurt to have extra depth so I really don’t understand why people would be upset or confused about this.
May as well sign Iginla too. I mean, why not? While we’re at it, let’s see if Ray Bourque still wants to play.
I bet Al Iafrate can still bring it too.
Much rather have Iginla than Gionta, actually.
Why?? The articles sums it up. Forward depth and experience for the stretch and playoff for pretty much no cost, so why not??
The only issue I have with Nash is the ability to resign him. I don’t care about any of the players traded but if you give up a first rounder, the. You better make sure you can resign him.