Buffalo Sabres: Brian Gionta Excited to Build on Last Season
By Paul Taylor
Buffalo Sabres captain Brian Gionta is ready to embrace the challenge of returning the team to contender status.
Brian Gionta is used to being involved in big moments, after winning championships at both the college and NHL level. As such, you imagine it was especially tough for him to deal with playing for the worst team in the league, during his first season with the Buffalo Sabres.
In fairness though, Gionta was well aware of what he was getting himself into, when he first signed a three-year free agent deal. In addition, he got the chance to play for his hometown team.
Fast forward 26 months, and the 1998 82nd overall draft pick is looking forward to his third season with the Sabres. Speaking to Amy Moritz of The Buffalo News, he said: “Building off of how we finished last year, that’s exciting.”
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That finish saw the Sabres go 10-5-4 during the final two months of the 2015-16 campaign: “Knowing what type of team we can be when we play, I think the challenge is trying to pick up where we left off last year.”
Gionta went on to explain what made Buffalo so successful during the closing stages of last season: “We were playing on top of teams. We were pressuring them hard. We controlled lots of plays.
“There were lots of times in games where we were controlling the play, stuff like that. We were playing a fast-paced, up-tempo game overall.”
Early on in his hockey career, the Rochester native was a prolific goal-scorer. He led the nation in scoring in his senior year at Boston College and broke New Jersey Devils franchise record for goals in a season, during the 2005-06 campaign.
However, Gionta has adapted his playing style during his NHL career and is renowned for his work ethic and tenaciousness. In addition, look no further than the fact he was named captain, first in Montreal and now in Buffalo, for a sign of how much respect he commands from his fellow players.
Regardless, the 37-year old admits to feeling the effects of a long career, as he prepares for his 15th season in the NHL. As a result, he has adapted his offseason training program to better prepare his body.
Gionta said: “For sure, it evolves. You find things that work and what doesn’t work.
“As you get older you’re having to take care of your body a lot more than you used to when you were younger. Back then, you could take off certain things, but you really have to stay on top of mobility exercises, things like that, making sure you’re ready and fresh to go.”
After two straight seasons of declining points production, the winger will be determined to turn around this trend. The fact he is in the final year of his contract, should provide extra motivation.
It also helps that Gionta is on a Sabres team stacked with potential, especially in attack. As of right now though, all he is focused on, is getting ready for the home opener against his previous team.
Gionta said: “Everything around training camp is prepping for the opening of the season. So getting yourself mentally, physically ready for that opening night here against Montreal is how I approach it.”
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How important will Gionta’s influence be for the Sabres, as they attempt to become a playoff contender? Further, do you seem him improving his points total after two straight seasons of declining production? Let us know in the comments section below.