While brother Brian waits to see where he’ll be spending the 2017-18 season, Stephen Gionta has signed a one-year two-way contract with the New York Islanders that will pay him the minimum of $650K at the NHL level. Gionta was an unrestricted free agent, but will return to the Islanders for at least one more year.
Playing in 26 NHL games last year, Gionta registered six points and was his usual physical self on every shift. The small but fiery forward has made a career on his work ethic, even playing in all 82 contests for the 2015-16 New Jersey Devils. A former captain in the AHL, he brings leadership and depth to the Islanders and Bridgeport Sound Tigers where much of his season could be spent once again.
The Islanders currently project full up front to start the year, especially if Joshua Ho-Sang indeed takes a full-time role this season. They also have Michael Dal Colle and Mathew Barzal waiting for their chances in the NHL, though none of the three play the same style as Gionta. Instead, he’ll be used as a fourth-line depth player that you could keep in the press box for games at a time, something you wouldn’t want to do to a younger player who is still developing. Despite being waiver-eligible, it’s unlikely that anyone would put in a claim on Gionta at this point in his career.
His flexibility also extends to where he plays on the ice, as Gionta has spent time at all three forward positions. He’s generally been very weak on faceoffs, but has the defensive responsibility to anchor a fourth line if pressed into duty. Whether he sees much time with the Islanders is still to be seen, but the signing brings absolutely no risk.