Brian Gionta at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- The Bruins have their eyes on a Stanley Cup championship and they're working on bolstering their depth.
The B's signed 39-year-old forward Brian Gionta to a one-year deal to finish out the season with Boston after he captained the United States in the Olympics.
General manager Don Sweeney discussed how the deal came together and why the vet is in Boston.
"Depth, veteran leadership, a player that's highly motivated," Sweeney said. "It wasn't that he didn't have an opportunity this year--he made a family decision along with an opportunity to play in the Olympics. We've known that all along ... and maybe he just waited to see what clubs were in a position to be in the playoff race, and we hope we continue to be one of those clubs, and he's going to add to that."
The 5'7" forward and former Boston College standout last played in the NHL for the Sabres last season, with 15 goals and 20 assists in 82 games.
Gionta's played in 1,118 career games for Buffalo, New Jersey, and Montreal over 15 seasons, and he's totaled 656 points. That includes the playoffs.
He played with B's assistant coach Jay Pandolfo on the Cup-winning Devils squad in 2003.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports