Brian Gionta is coming home. The Greece native signed with the Buffalo Sabres today, the first day that NHL teams could sign free agents. The deal is worth $12.75 million over 3 years. Gionta played for the Montreal Canadiens since 2009-10 and served as captain. He scored 97 goals and 173 points in 303 games during his time in Montreal, including 40 points last season.
Gionta started his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils after being selected 82nd in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
The Sabres also signed forwards Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick. The team originally acquired Moulson from the Islanders in a trade for Thomas Vanek in October, then dealt him and Cody McCormick to Minnesota later on in the season.