Stephen Gionta Signing: We react the only way we know how

We dutifully report to you that the New York Islanders announced today the re-signing of Stephen Gionta to a one-year, two-way deal. It’s a minimum NHL salary of $650,00 with an AHL rate of $225,00, according to Newsday’s Arthur Staple.

This is neither riveting nor cause for great alarm. The 33-year-old was injured during training camp but signed after a PTO last season, returned to health to play seven games with their AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers, then appeared in 26 games with the Isles during the second half.

(If you want context on when that was, well the second half was when the Islanders actually won games under head coach Doug Weight.)

He’s a career fourth liner type, having spent the four pre-Isles seasons playing 50-65 games per season with the New Jersey Devils, after earning promotion from their AHL affiliate, where he played full time from 2005-10.

Teams will always want such players around, the kind who have been through the battles and eat some minutes in the drudgery roles without it having them questioning whether their career has been derailed, and do their time in the AHL when necessary.

No, it’s not exciting, but it’s not a major crisis deal either. It’s totally an Aug. 8 signing.

You may now resume your regularly scheduled summer.