It was reported that the New York Islanders showed interest in former New Jersey Devil Stephen Gionta. The Islanders already have a crowded forward group so why would they want Gionta?
The simple answer to that is adding veteran depth at the AHL level, which is a similar reason the Isles brought Eric Boulton back.
There’s no way that Gionta would take playing time away from one of the Islanders forwards at the NHL level. This move would just be to fill out an AHL roster.
Having a veteran that can help mentor youth in Bridgeport isn’t a bad thing to have.