Briere or Gionta?

[Stan]

It's going to be interesting to see what Bergevin does this off season. One issue for the upcoming off season is Gionta's status.

I think Gionta has re-invented himself as a two way defensive forward that can chip in 15 goals. I think he brings leadership and a lot of intangibles that management values and I can see them bringing him back for a couple more years at a reduced salary. Personally, I think it makes a lot of sense. Having said that, if they bring back Gionta they have to move out another undersized forward. The most obvious one would be Briere.

I can see a similar decision coming up with Moen.

What would you guys do if you were in MB's shoes?

 

[samsquanch9*]

Briere is great for the POs but gionta is a great shutdown guy.. Neither are ideal but id probably keep gio if he was cheaper than 4 million (he probably will). He works good on the 3rd line but i hate him on the top 2

 

[Stan]

Briere is great for the POs but gionta is a great shutdown guy.. Neither are ideal but id probably keep gio if he was cheaper than 4 million (he probably will). He works good on the 3rd line but i hate him on the top 2

It would have to be as a 3rd line player.

 

[David Suzuki]

Both are good 3rd liners. Gionta will have to take a hit, but we can afford both.

 

[Smokey Thompson]

Gionta but we'll probably have both next year

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Gionta is a high-end 3rd line forward and a low-end 2nd line forward. He looked and played a lot better once Vanek showed up and pushed him down the depth chart. I would like to keep him since he's useful, but we'll see...

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Regardless of what Briere does in the playoffs, we should do everything we can to move him. 4 mil is way too much cash and we've got other players to sign. Gionta's still a good defensive player. I'm okay to have him back but he needs to take a serious pay cut and sign short term.

 

[HabsRockBruinsChoke]

Both are good 3rd liners. Gionta will have to take a hit, but we can afford both.

Lol.

 

[No More Subban]

Briere is great for the POs but gionta is a great shutdown guy.. Neither are ideal but id probably keep gio if he was cheaper than 4 million (he probably will). He works good on the 3rd line but i hate him on the top 2

Same here. Love him on the 3rd line, hate him in the top 6.

But I think it's time to move on. I really want to see De la Rose make the lineup next year. And I also want Pleks to be our next captain. Gionta's money could also help MB resign PK/Vanek/Markov.

 

[Stan]

Gionta but we'll probably have both next year

I guess my point is that we need to continue to get bigger throughout our lineup....bring both back doesn't make sense to me. I'd prefer Gionta for 2 more years because of his 2 way game and leadership.

 

[WhiskeySeven*]

Lol.

Great contribution. You're really adding something to the discourse here with your input, we wouldn't have gotten anywhere without this post.

It's easier to snipe at people who attempt to create ideas and arguments than it is to actually refute them, or god forbid, come up with one's own.

As for this thread...

Gionta, in a non-scoring role, is still useful. I hate the guy at 5m + PPtime + favorable matchups but at, say, 3.5 and a tweener role like he had this year he's fine for another 2 years. Thing is, he'll be asking for 3 years most likely. 3 years at 3.75 or 4 is just too much for a steadily declining player.

We've already seen him lose a step and an inch this season, multiple times he's shied away from the more brutal or painful situations. Gallagher will likely regress the same at Gionta's age... but we can't reward Gionta's regression with a big contract, not with Vanek, Subban and Markov to sign.

There's also Leblanc who'll likely have to have a good training camp, and Bournival is going to be a steady defensive contributor too. Gionta is not easily replaceable but if he's not in a scoring role (hopefully not) he won't be irreplaceable either.

 

[void]

Lol.

Why lol? He's right, we can afford both.

 

[Miller Time]

Gionta - 2 yrs 3.5M cap hit, or 3 yrs 3M

Briere - traded to buffalo, Nashville, Calgary or whoever will take him

 

[Frozenice]

Great contribution. You're really adding something to the discourse here with your input, we wouldn't have gotten anywhere without this post.

It's easier to snipe at people who attempt to create ideas and arguments than it is to actually refute them, or god forbid, come up with one's own.

As for this thread...

Gionta, in a non-scoring role, is still useful. I hate the guy at 5m + PPtime + favorable matchups but at, say, 3.5 and a tweener role like he had this year he's fine for another 2 years. Thing is, he'll be asking for 3 years most likely. 3 years at 3.75 or 4 is just too much for a steadily declining player.

We've already seen him lose a step and an inch this season, multiple times he's shied away from the more brutal or painful situations. Gallagher will likely regress the same at Gionta's age... but we can't reward Gionta's regression with a big contract, not with Vanek, Subban and Markov to sign.

There's also Leblanc who'll likely have to have a good training camp, and Bournival is going to be a steady defensive contributor too. Gionta is not easily replaceable but if he's not in a scoring role (hopefully not) he won't be irreplaceable either.

I think aging players have learned to think twice about asking for term and coin because if no one takes them up on their demands they're looking at the the most $1.5 million and likely a million on a 1 year deal come August if no one signs them in the first week or two of UFA season.

Then what does a player like Gionta do? Take what's offered or what until Xmas and hope someone is desperate? It's a slippery slope in a hurry if no one bites on a players demands.

 

[BLNY]

I don't see anyone jumping at the chance to trade for Briere. Gionta's had a fine season, and I'm sure he'll continue to contribute in the playoffs. I'm willing to let him walk though.

He's 35. He's WELL under 6'. The club is better off spending the cash elsewhere - even at a discounted next contract.

 

[JLP]

Neither

 

[Alexdaman]

Neither

I second that.

But sadly having neither might make it harder for us next season. But it would be better for the development of our young core. More TOI for Bournival and maybe even give Andrighetto a spot.

But the way Gionta has been playing for us the PO it would be fair to give him a 1 year contract.

 

[Whitesnake]

A thread for AFTER the playoffs. Typical reaction after winning 2-0 in a series. Situation is that we need to move FORWARD. Should never be satisfied with a status quo ESPECIALLY not a status quo that sees keeping older players that doesn't fit a need for a better mix. Ask the question again after. TBay is not, and should not be the decisive factor as to where we go from here, if we beat them. But to be consequent and to HAVE to answer now, I'd say neither. But what you're getting as to be BETTER. The whole point about moving forward.

 

[Blind Gardien]

Safest bet is that we have both next season. We won't have any issues with cap space if we can't keep Vanek, so mgmt will probably just bring Gionta back on something like the Briere deal.

 

[Galchenyuk4habs]

People seem to forget Vanek and 8m/8years Norris Subban, also Lars Eller, and oh yeah Andrei Markov

but yeah no biggie, we don't play in a league with cap space right?

 

[Stan]

A thread for AFTER the playoffs. Typical reaction after winning 2-0 in a series. Situation is that we need to move FORWARD. Should never be satisfied with a status quo ESPECIALLY not a status quo that sees keeping older players that doesn't fit a need for a better mix. Ask the question again after. TBay is not, and should not be the decisive factor as to where we go from here, if we beat them. But to be consequent and to HAVE to answer now, I'd say neither. But what you're getting as to be BETTER. The whole point about moving forward.

The reason I bring it up now is that I think we've seen the benefit of having leadership in the room. Looking at a team like Ottawa; who clearly took a step back this year, has to give you pause. I think Gionta gives us that, and takes the heat off of younger players having to shoulder the responsibility and additional pressure. This isn't a market where a young player can flourish over the long term with the pressure of an "A" or "C". Gionta has performed well; which I'm happy about; but I'm more pleased about the team dynamic which I feel he's played a part in. I don't think there are that many players on the team that can deal with the off ice stuff as well as Gionta and maybe Gorges.

Having said all that; I partially agree. If we're talking purely on ice production; I wouldn't bring either player back.

 

[Stan]

People seem to forget Vanek and 8m/8years Norris Subban, also Lars Eller, and oh yeah Andrei Markov

but yeah no biggie, we don't play in a league with cap space right?

I hear you, but Markov isn't going to make more than he is right now. Eller either. Subban will get a pay hike for sure and Vanek if we're able to sign him....and that's a huge IF.

I'm not worried though. Moen can be easily moved and I think there's a market for Briere. That's 5.5 million for players that we can replace internally. Add Murray's 1.5 and that's 7 million. You've already essentially payed for Vanek. Subban is up for an increase of about 5 million (total around 7.5). That's essentially Gionta's salary. Obviously, not exact number's but we're fine from a cap position. We have room to spare for one of Briere or Gionta; but probably not both if we bring back Bourque; which I think we should (thought this pre-playoffs).

 

[habfaninvictoria]

How many guys over 35 do we want under contract? This year (knock on wood) has been ok injury wise for them, but realistically you can't expect to be that lucky every year. If they retire they still eat cap space.

Briere is under contract already. 36 (4 Million)
Markov will likely be back. 35 (likely 5.5 plus)
Gionta is 35 (likely 3.5 plus)
Weaver would be a good depth signing and is 35 (1.5)

That's a lot of senior citizens. If they're willing to sign one year deals, I'm all for it. You can see the benefit of experience in the playoffs.

Vanek, not surprisingly is the key. If we don't have him to move these guys down the depth chart (Briere, Gionta) then their experience is useless because we won't have the firepower. If we sign Vanek we're all in anyway and I think signing Gio for 2-3 years is worth that risk. If Vanek doesn't sign, we're going to be right back to square one.

 

[overlords]

Ideally, the one who can put up decent numbers playing a really tough competition.

 

[Habs]

What else does Gio have to do to prove he's an excellent captain, leader and can still produce? I've never understood the hate for him, he's a key part to this core.