
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.