Bluelines: Devils Keep It in the Family
Another Gionta joins the fray
Posted on Monday, August 10, 2009 at 3:15 PM- The Gionta family is still represented on the Devils, although Brian has moved on to Montreal. Right wing Stephen Gionta, Brian's 25-year-old brother, will be at New Jersey's camp next month. He played for Lowell last season. Listed at 5-7, 180 pounds, that sounds just like Brian's numbers.
Charles Wang's Lighthouse Project is getting a big push from Gary Bettman. "There's no worse major league facility anywhere in North America than Nassau Coliseum," says the commissioner. "There must be improvements. If not, I am certain the Islanders will stay there not one second longer than they are legally obligated to."
- If ever an arbitrator's naiveté has been evident, it certainly is in the $3.9 million awarded ultimate underachieving Nik Zherdev. The gifted forward has failed to live up to expectations under a variety of excellent coaches. In Columbus, it was Ken Hitchcock, and in New York, both Tom Renney and John Tortorella, each of whom tried a different approach. If any team – perhaps Minnesota – pays Zherdev more than $3 million, the not-so-rapid Russian will be overpaid.
- Lou Lamoriello on why he re-signed a 40-year-old forward: "Brendan Shanahan is an experienced veteran who can play in all situations and accepts any role to help the team win."
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