New York Rangers: Five remaining free agents that must be avoided

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 06: Jason Chimera #25 of the New York Islanders celebrates his goal at 17:24 of the first period against the New York Rangers at the Barclays Center on December 6, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 06: Jason Chimera #25 of the New York Islanders celebrates his goal at 17:24 of the first period against the New York Rangers at the Barclays Center on December 6, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 11: Brian Gionta #12 of the Boston Bruins grabs the puck in the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on March 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins 3-1. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 11: Brian Gionta #12 of the Boston Bruins grabs the puck in the second period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on March 11, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins 3-1. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

Brian Gionta

The Gionta family was extremely happy about the banning of NHL players form the Olympics because it gave a veteran on the verge of retirement like Gionta a chance to earn himself an NHL spot by way of a tryout on the Olympic stage.

Despite playing poorly at the Olympics, not scoring a single point in five games, the Bruins decided to give him a chance on their fourth line.

In 20 games, the former captain of the Montreal Canadiens was alright. He tallied two goals and five assists in those contests and put himself in a position to earn some playoff ice time.

He was to play one playoff game and not see the ice again.

While it would be nice to have somebody with Gionta’s leadership ability on the team, it doesn’t warrant him taking a roster spot from somebody who could actually produce in it.

There are so many remaining UFAs who could be valuable trade chips at the deadline. Gionta is not one and the Rangers should stay away.

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