Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (R) and San Jose Sharks Marc-Edouard Vlasic fight for control of the puck during the first period of their NHL hockey game in San Jose, California December 1, 2011. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) pushes the puck away from Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) as left wing Mathieu Darche (52) falls on Perry during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Anaheim, California November 30, 2011. Ducks won the game 4-1. REUTERS/Alex Gallardo (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) passes after stealing the puck from Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne (8) of Finland during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Anaheim, California November 30, 2011. REUTERS/Alex Gallardo (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin (71) checks Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, November 26, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Pittsburgh Penguins' center Sidney Crosby (87) avoids the check by Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal November 26, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens winger Brian Gionta (21) sets a screen and tries to redirect the puck in front of the Philadelphia Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the first period of their NHL ice hockey game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 25, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

The Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (R) scores against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward during overtime of their NHL hockey game in Raleigh, North Carolina November 23, 2011. REUTERS/Ellen Ozier (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

The Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (L) battles the Carolina Hurricanes' Bryan Allen for the puck during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Raleigh, North Carolina November 23, 2011. REUTERS/Ellen Ozier (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Boston Bruins' goalie Tim Thomas (30) makes a save as Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) and Bruins' Dennis Seidenberg (44) fight for the rebound during the second period of their NHL hockey action in Montreal November 21, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) celebrates his goal with teammate P.K. Subban (76) over New York Rangers goalie Martin Biron (not shown) during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal November 19, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) celebrates his goal over New York Rangers goalie Martin Biron (not shown) with teammate Mike Cammalleri (13) during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal November 19, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

New York Rangers goalie Martin Biron (43) makes a save as Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) battles with New York Rangers' Ryan McDonagh (27) during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal November 19, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

New York Islanders' goalie Rick DiPietro (39) stops a shot in front of Montreal Canadiens' right wing Brian Gionta (21) during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Uniondale, New York November 17, 2011. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) leaps over Buffalo Sabres' Patrick Kaleta during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal, November 14, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (L) scores on Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith in the second period during an NHL game in Glendale, Arizona, November 10, 2011. REUTERS/Rick Scuteri (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (R) celebrates with team mate Travis Moen after scoring a second period goal against the Phoenix Coyotes during an NHL game in Glendale, Arizona, November 10, 2011. REUTERS/Rick Scuteri (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

U.S. Senator John McCain (C) drops the puck between Phoenix Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (L) and Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta before their NHL game in Glendale, Arizona, November 10, 2011. REUTERS/Rick Scuteri (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (top) celebrates after teammate Tomas Plekanec scored a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas (R) and defenseman Dennis Seidenberg in the third period of their NHL hockey game in Boston, Massachusetts October 27, 2011. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens Brian Gionta (21) is upended by Philadelphia Flyers Kimmo Timonen (44) during third period NHL hockey action in Montreal October 26, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Florida Panthers goalie Jacob Markstrom (L) makes a save against Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) as Panthers' Ed Jovanovski (55) and Brian Campbell (R) look for the rebound during first period NHL hockey action in Montreal, October 24, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) makes a save as Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) collides with him in the second period of their NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania October 20, 2011. REUTERS/Jason Cohn (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (R) makes a save on Calgary Flames' David Moss (25) as Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) slides in during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Montreal October 13, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (C) is tripped onto Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff (L) by Flames' Scott Hannan (23) during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Montreal October 13, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (R) watches the puck go into the net on a Max Pacioretty goal (not seen) in front of Winnipeg Jets' Jim Slater (C) and goalie Ondrej Pavelec during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 9, 2011. The Winnipeg Jets are playing their first season game since the franchise left the city 15 years ago.REUTERS/Fred Greenslade (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Thomson Reuters chairman and True North Sports partner David Thomson skakes hands with Montreal Canadiens captain Brian Gionta before they play the Winnipeg Jets in their NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 9, 2011. The Winnipeg Jets are playing their first season game since the franchise left the city 15 years ago. REUTERS/Fred Greenslade (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY BUSINESS) 

Shelly Rypien (mother of the late NHL hockey player Rick Rypein), drops the puck on the ceremonial face off between Montreal Canadiens captain Brian Gionta (2nd L) and Winnipeg Jets captain Andrew Ladd (2nd R) as Thomson Reuters chairman and True North Sports partner David Thomson (R) and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman (L) watch before their NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 9, 2011. The Winnipeg Jets are playing their first season game since the franchise left the city 15 years ago. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY BUSINESS) 

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta gets checked into the boards against the Winnipeg Jets during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 9, 2011. The Winnipeg Jets are playing their first season game since the franchise left the city 15 years ago. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta gets checked by Winnipeg Jets Evander Kane (9) during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 9, 2011. The Winnipeg Jets are playing their first season game since the franchise left the city 15 years ago. REUTERS/Todd Korol (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Toronto Maple Leafs' Carl Gunnarsson battles for the puck with Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (L) during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Toronto October 6, 2011. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Toronto Maple Leafs Mike Komiserik (L) checks Montreal Canadiens Scott Gomez as Maple Leafs Goalie James Reimer (2nd R) watches Brian Gionta (R) skate for the puck during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Toronto, October 6, 2011. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens Josh Gorges and Brian Gionta (2nd R) battle for the puck with Toronto Maple Leafs' Joffrey Lupul (2nd L) and Phil Kessel (R) during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Toronto October 6, 2011. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (21) scores a goal on Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mathieu Garon during the first period of play of their NHL pre-season game at the Colisee in Quebec City, October 1, 2011. REUTERS/Mathieu Belanger (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Tampa Bay Lightning's goalie Dwayne Roloson is knocked to the ice by Montreal Canadiens Brian Gionta (21) during second period pre-season NHL hockey action in Montreal, September 29, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (L) is checked by Boston Bruins' Johnny Boychuk (C) in front of Bruins' goalie Tuukka Rask during first period pre-season NHL hockey action in Montreal September 26, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Buffalo Sabres Jason Pominville (29) takes a shot on Montreal Canadiens goalie Peter Budaj (30) as Canadiens Nathan Beaulieu (40) and Brian Gionta (21) look on during first period pre-season NHL hockey action against in Montreal, September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas reacts as Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta celebrates a goal scored by defenseman P.K. Subban during the third period in Game 7 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Boston April 27, 2011. REUTERS/Adam Hunger (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) scores a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas and Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (44) during the second period in Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Montreal, April 26, 2011. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) is congratulated by teammate P.K. Subban (76) after Gionta scored against the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Montreal April 26, 2011. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jaroslav Spacek (C) is helped off the ice by team medical staff and teammate Brian Gionta (R) after Spacek was checked by Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic during the second period in Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Montreal, April 26, 2011. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas (C) gets beaten for a goal by Montreal Canadiens left wing Mike Cammalleri (not pictured), as Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) and center Scott Gomez look on, during the first period in Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Montreal April 26, 2011. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens Mike Cammalleri (C) is congratulated by teammates P.K. Subban (76), Scott Gomez (2nd L), Tomas Plekanec (14) and Brian Gionta after Cammalleri scored against Boston Bruins during the first period in Game 6 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Montreal, April 26, 2011. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) celebrates his team's goal in front of Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas (30) during the second period in Game 4 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey series in Montreal April 21, 2011. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) is upended by Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) during the third period in Game 3 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey game in Montreal, April 18, 2011. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta warms-up before Game 2 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey game against the Boston Bruins in Boston, Massachusetts April 16, 2011. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (top C) is congratulated by teammates Mathieu Darche (52) and James Wisniewski (20) after Gionta scored against Milan Lucic (bottom) and the Boston Bruins during the third period of Game 1 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey game in Boston, Massachusetts April 14, 2011. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (R) scores a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas during the first period of Game 1 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey game in Boston, Massachusetts April 14, 2011. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (R) celebrates after scoring against Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas during the first period of Game 1 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final hockey game in Boston, Massachusetts April 14, 2011. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joe Colborne skates with the puck past Montreal Canadiens forward Brian Gionta (R) during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Toronto April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Cassese (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens forward Brian Gionta celebrates his goal with Yannick Weber (R) during the first period of their NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Cassese (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens left wing Mathieu Darche celebrates with right wing Brian Gionta (21) after he scored as New Jersey Devils defensemen Andy Greene (6) and Mark Fayne (34) react in the third period of their NHL hockey game in Newark, New Jersey, April 2, 2011. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (top) is checked by Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta in the first period of their NHL hockey game in Boston, Massachusetts March 24, 2011. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (L) trips Minnesota Wild right wing Brad Staubitz (16) during the third period of their NHL hockey game in St. Paul, Minnesota March 20, 2011. Montreal won 8-1. REUTERS/Eric Miller (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (L) reacts after being hit by Tampa Bay Lightning's Simon Gagne during the second period of NHL play in Montreal, March 17, 2011. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) falls over Washington Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman (bottom) during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Montreal March 15, 2011. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Washington Capitals' Scott Hannan (2nd R) and Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta (R) push Canadiens' Scott Gomez into Capitals goalie Braden Holtby during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Montreal March 15, 2011. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CANADA - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Pittsburgh Penguins Matt Niskanen (2) hits Montreal Canadiens Brian Gionta (R) in the first period of their NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 12, 2011. REUTERS/Jason Cohn (UNITED STATES) 

Montreal Canadiens' Hal Gill (2nd L) celebrates his first period goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with teammates Tomas Plekanec, Brian Gionta and P.K. Subban in an NHL hockey game in Tampa, Florida March 5, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Carlson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos (R) hooks Montreal Canadiens' Brian Gionta during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Tampa, Florida March 5, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Carlson (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (21) celebrates an empty net goal that sealed their win against the Atlanta Thrashers with teammate defenseman Roman Hamrlik (44) in the third period of their NHL hockey game in Atlanta, Georgia March 1, 2011. REUTERS/Tami Chappell (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY) 

Montreal Canadiens right wing Brian Gionta (top) shoots an empty net goal despite a sliding Atlanta Thrashers defensman Zach Bogosian in the third period of their NHL hockey game in Atlanta, Georgia March 1, 2011. REUTERS/Tami Chappell (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY)