Derlique Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Was a revelation on the 2012 Cup run along with the rest of the CBGB line. Admittedly, I was really frustrated with DeBoer's usage of him in 2013 and the season after. However, I have come around on him recently. I think he's fine in a fourth line role with some PK time sprinkled in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsMan84 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 My reaction when I saw the title of this thread: He is an AHL'er that for some reason is playing in the NHL. Seems like a nice guy and all but useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ELIAS6 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 ugh. Hes been put in a role that he is not capable of handeling. There are definently better options out there for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Hate watching him play. I hope he doesn't get into many games this year and is finally banished to the minors where he belongs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Amazing that Gionta has built himself an NHL career, as this is a player who once scored 2 goals in most of a minor league season. Offensively he's probably below replacement level but he draws penalties (something in real short supply on this team) and has rebounded to be an okay territorial player on a team that is now lacking that sort of player. I hope this year is his last with the franchise - I think he turns 32 this year or is already 32 - but it's not his fault he got put in situations he shouldn't be in by the previous coaching staffs. Fine guy to have as a 13th forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RizzMB30 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 He probably shouldn't be on the roster. Let him use this experience in the AHL to mentor young guys, like a Rod Pelley. I'd argue giving a younger player the minutes that Gionta recieves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 I cringe when he plays center. I'm mostly indifferent when he plays wing. I hope he's the extra utility forward this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BostonNala370 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) He was and is an AHL player that somehow got onto the Devils and DeBoer misused in positions he never should have played at. Edited August 4, 2015 by BostonNala370 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) RANT WARNING: Stephen Gionta, whether it's fair or not, embodies everything I hated about the Devils under the PDB era. It's just easier if I bullet point the reasons why I can't stand him: He's an AHL caliber forward who was fed NHL minutes (ES, PK, and PP at one time or another) because of PDB's blatant favoritism towards veteran players. He was immune to any sort of doghouse, no matter how badly he played or hurt the team. Goes with the above point, but he was given minutes that JJ or another young forward should've had a chance to earn. He has no shot. He has no ability to win faceoffs (wasn't he at something like 30% at some point?), he has no ability to use his limited frame to box players out defensively. He's quick on his skates, that's literally all he brings to the table. I constantly wanted to punch a whole in a wall as I watched players on the opposing powerplay literally pass right around him and his limited reach. Not knocking the guy for being short - but the coach has to realize when a player isn't suited for a certain role. He's an offensive black hole. I'm convinced he makes his linemates worse, although I haven't looked up the advanced statistics to back that feeling up. Seeing him in the occasional top-6 role made my blood boil. I will be forever grateful for what the CBGB line did in the 2012 playoffs. But it should've ended the following season. I obviously hope one of our younger guys takes his spot this year, and we can finally put an end to the "Gionta's brother" sideshow. /end rant. That felt good. Edited August 4, 2015 by Devilsfan118 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titans04 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Would prefer he never sees the ice unless it's wearing another teams sweater preferably in the division. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henriqued Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 I think hes been able to steal some minutes because he was the fastest skater on one of the slowest teams in the nhl the past few years. As we've gotten younger and a bit faster I see his role decreasing. 4th Line/Fill-in at best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Gionta's fine on the PK. His reach is a limitation there but I thought last season there was much less puck chasing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 I think it's pretty telling when everyone here agrees so far about wanting him off the team. It's rare here when a view of someone is this one sided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devils731 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Gionta's fine on the PK. His reach is a limitation there but I thought last season there was much less puck chasing. I really feel the opposite. Teams seem to gameplan on using Gionta's lack of reach to their advantage. When Gionta was on the ice the other team would pass around him either by design or pragmatism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteyvegas51 Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 Excellent on the 5th line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted August 4, 2015 Share Posted August 4, 2015 I really feel the opposite. Teams seem to gameplan on using Gionta's lack of reach to their advantage. When Gionta was on the ice the other team would pass around him either by design or pragmatism. I dunno. On the one hand, teams are getting fewer shots on goal when he's out there, and it seems like it's by a considerable margin. But they're also scoring more. It's not a large sample so it's kinda impossible to judge from that alone. One thing that is true, Josefson's numbers on the PK over the last 3 years so far are worse in both shots on goal and goals against. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfitz804 Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Excellent on the 5th line. If by the 5th line you mean the 2nd line in Albany, I agree. I'm all for role players, but he's only occasionally played the role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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