Former Sabres captain Brian Gionta expected to make return to NHL

Brian Gionta is making his return to the NHL. According to Brian Bartlett of Sports Consulting Group, the agency that represents Gionta, the 39-year-old Rochester native is expected to sign with an NHL team in the near future. 

Can confirm that Brian Gionta is expected to sign an NHL contract in the near future with a playoff contender, as first reported by Kevin Oklobzija @WKBW

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) February 24, 2018

Bartlett added that Gionta would be signing with a team that will be a serious playoff contender but could not specify which team because the deal has not been signed. 

Gionta, the former captain of the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens, has played in 1,006 NHL games, scoring 289 goals and tallying 588 points. More recently, Gionta captained Team USA at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. 

Tomorrow on @WKBW we catch up with Brian Gionta to discuss the Olympics, his time in Rochester and of course, what may happen next! #Sabres

Hey @TobyMotyka, our two camera interview looks great! @TobyMotyka pic.twitter.com/2RxZ5cz8GX

— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) February 7, 2018

In an interview with WKBW before the Olympics, Gionta said he would keep his options open and would like to keep playing if possible. In the months leading up to the games, Gionta practiced with the Rochester Americans of the AHL and appeared in one-game.