What to do with the captain?

[inkman]

He actually has a house in Buffalo too. I am pretty certain they are living there and go back to their house on Lake Ontario in the off-season.

 

 

I wouldn't be. He can slot anywhere in the lineup and be effective, has leadership, and on an expiring contract in a season with an expansion draft. He's a great rental player for a team in a seller's market. I think he at least gets a 2nd. I wouldn't be surprised if a team is willing to give up a low first rounder for him, the 2017 draft class is looking pretty thin.

I will eat my hat if he gets traded for a 1st.

[Rasmus_]

Trade him while value is high, get an asset and sign him on a 1 year deal.  Also, take into consideration what he prefers to do.  I doubt he wants to move his family too far.  He's been a warrior.  Being from the town I grew up in most of my life, I have the umpteenth respect for the Gionta family.

[inkman]

Trade him while value is high, get an asset and sign him on a 1 year deal. Also, take into consideration what he prefers to do. I doubt he wants to move his family too far. He's been a warrior. Being from the town I grew up in most of my life, I have the umpteenth respect for the Gionta family.

The Gionta family ain't going nowheres. These eye-talians stick close to their Madre. Not to mention the roots he has in Rochester. I'd be mildly surprised if he wanted to go anywhere.

[Drunkard]

I will eat my hat if he gets traded for a 1st.

 

Maybe he nets one of those Gaustad type scenarios where we trade a team Gionta and a 3rd or 4th and we get a 1st in return.

Edited February 6, 2017 by Drunkard

[nfreeman]

I'd be pretty happy with a 2nd for Gio.  I'll also say NFW anyone ponies up a 1st, even if the Sabres throw in a lower pick.

[That Aud Smell]

His play has been a pleasant surprise. The guy still has gas left in the tank.

 

In terms of what to do, this is where my mind first turned:

 

I think approaching him and asking what he wants is the first step.  

 

And I'd like to think that the Sabres could get a 2nd or promising (D?) prospect for him. Hopefully, he'd be open to moving to a Cup-contending situation for the spring.

[dudacek]

I think we should be able to get a second from a contender - pick 50-60

I'd much rather package him with Minnesota's 2nd for a 21-year-old minor league D who can move the puck.

[MattPie]

I'd be pretty happy with a 2nd for Gio.  I'll also say NFW anyone ponies up a 1st, even if the Sabres throw in a lower pick.

 

The only way I see a first is if it's something like contender 1st (20-30) for Gio and Sabres 2nd (35-45 range).

[LTS]

In the 2017 draft a low 1st round is the equivalent of a 2nd round pick.  I've not seen anyone predict even a semi-deep draft class.

[nfreeman]

In the 2017 draft a low 1st round is the equivalent of a 2nd round pick.  I've not seen anyone predict even a semi-deep draft class.

 

I agree, and would just add (although perhaps it's redundant with your post) that I'd rather have, say, the Sabres' 2nd-rounder (probably around pick #38) plus a 2nd-rounder from a contender (pick #55), than the contender's #1 (pick #25).