60 replies to this topic

[capo]

I remember watching Stephen and Travis Zajac play for the Riverrats when both players first signed with the Devils. Gionta hustled up and down the ice the entire night... I think he even scored the game winner that night but I can't entirely recall. I just remember his energy and how absolutely green Zajac was...

[Jas0nMacIsaac]

Gionta and Davis bring a lot more speed and fore check to the Devils lineup then Sestito. I'm fairly certain they have more skill as well, I have close to the skill of Sestito.

[Neb00rs]

Good to see Stephen Gionta get a shot - he worked hard and played well in the preseason.

Edited by ben00rs, 05 November 2010 - 04:05 AM.

[Eltab213]

I liked what i saw from Davis last year. Seemed like a solid 4th liner. Im somewhat surprised that, of all the injuries, call ups/send downs we havent seen Zharkov at all this year. Anyone know why?

Edited by Eltab213, 05 November 2010 - 06:15 AM.

[Maddog]

Per TG Fire and Ice Blog,

Stephen Gionta and Patrick Davis are also on the ice for the skate after being called up Thursday. Gionta is wearing No. 14, which his older brother, Brian, wore for the Devils before signing with Montreal on July 1, 2009

http://blogs.northje...onta_inherits_/

[Daniel]

Is Gionta really any good? Sounds like he's the Brett Lindros of his family?

[ZeroGravityFat]

Gionta looked very good in preseason, even almost scored a goal in one of the games.

[Triumph]

Is Gionta really any good? Sounds like he's the Brett Lindros of his family?

brett lindros: eric lindros >> stephen gionta: brian gionta

gionta's quick and maybe the devils use him killing penalties but other than that he's not an NHL player.

[Pepperkorn]

Why do some guys here think they know so much more than the Devils organization based upon hearsay and a limited amount of games watched -- and the LEAST informative piece of data - a stats sheet?

I'm just so sick of it. My non-hockey related armchair pop-psychology has been positively reenforced and affirmed via organization action and game outcome far more often than the highbrow hockey analysis of some of you guys..

but it's a free country so away

Tri - since this came on the heals of your post -- I completely approve of how you can call a guy a non-NHLer and yet still see and communicate his value in the here and now. In plain-speak - I didn't mean you

ACTUALLY - I should add - I'd like to see you find a way to respect intangibles a little more. Lou respects the intangibles. I'd have liked for you to have included that SGio is probably bringing a little bit of a mental edge (be it maturity / hockey smarts/ tenacity or combo of all) none of us can really see on a stats sheet - that no one else in ALbany can bring.

Edited by Pepperkorn, 05 November 2010 - 10:54 AM.

[Triumph]

PK:

look at all of the players with stephen gionta's stats in college and in the pros. then think about how many 27 year old first year NHL players go on to do anything in the NHL. then consider that gionta has been in the organization for 4 years and that this is his first call-up. he is almost certainly not an NHL-quality player. i mean, good for him that he's getting his shot, he's been a loyal soldier in the minors.

[ZeroGravityFat]

If Gionta does what the 27 year old Mills did the other day with a scrappy goal, I will be more than happy.

[Pepperkorn]

PK:

look at all of the players with stephen gionta's stats in college and in the pros. then think about how many 27 year old first year NHL players go on to do anything in the NHL. then consider that gionta has been in the organization for 4 years and that this is his first call-up. he is almost certainly not an NHL-quality player. i mean, good for him that he's getting his shot, he's been a loyal soldier in the minors.

Yes - I agree -- that's why I added the "I don't mean Tri" disclaimer. I wasn't being sarcastic.

Edited by Pepperkorn, 05 November 2010 - 12:51 PM.

[Triumph]

Yes - I agree -- that's why I added the "I don't mean Tri" disclaimer. I wasn't being sarcastic.

sorry, i posted before i saw that edit. no worries.

[capo]

I'm not saying that Gionta is going to stick or be better than he was in the A. But sometimes some for some players the chance to play with quality linemates makes them NHL players. I hope it works out for him.

[CarpathianForest]

Let's Just hope Stephen is a bit closer to the gap between Eric and Bret Lindros rather than Wayne and Brent Gretzky

[mmajeski06]

If Gionta does what the 27 year old Mills did the other day with a scrappy goal, I will be more than happy.

[SatansDevils]

Good to see Gionta get #14 just like his older brother Brian. Now just hope he can play like Brian did here in NJ. Happy to finally see Stephen Gionta make his NHL debut tonight. Hope he does well.

[Troy from NJ]

Good to see Gionta get #14 just like his older brother Brian. Now just hope he can play like Brian did here in NJ. Happy to finally see Stephen Gionta make his NHL debut tonight. Hope he does well.

I thought he played very well last night--one of our better forwards for sure. His line was probably the best one on the ice. I loved Gionta's hustle (must be a gene thing) and he didn't look out of place one bit. Looks like an NHLer to me.

[devilsrule33]

I thought he played very well last night--one of our better forwards for sure. His line was probably the best one on the ice. I loved Gionta's hustle (must be a gene thing) and he didn't look out of place one bit. Looks like an NHLer to me.

It's more a 5 foot 5 inches thing, where you have probably been doubted your whole life and if you don't work your ass off, you don't have a chance against bigger, stronger, and faster guys.

[thelastonealive]

Urbom, Davis, Mills, and Frazee all back to Albany. Presumably to get some games since the Devils are off for four days? I can't imagine we'll have two forwards coming back on Wednesday...