When the Buffalo Sabres acquired Rochester, New York native Brian Gionta back in 2014, I had mixed feelings.
On the one hand, I sure didn’t mind bringing in a classy veteran who would spend a few years mentoring younger player such as Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and Marcus Foligno, the latter of whom seems to have benefited most from Gionta’s leadership.
At the same time, I didn’t love seeing the Sabres commit $4.25 million and, more importantly. three years to Gionta. Sure, the Sabres were not going to make the playoffs in either 2015 or 2016 .