BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres' new defenseman and Buffalo native Dennis Gilbert said that coming back to play for his hometown team seemed to always be a part of his long-term plan in the NHL.
“Obviously it's super exciting for my family and I and something in the back of your mind you always kind of hope for at some point in time to happen," Gilbert said. "I think that at this point in my career, it's a good time for it, and hopefully I can come in and help.”
Now, as he gets the chance to play for the coach he grew up watching in Buffalo, Gilbert said the opportunity is even more special.
“There's been a lot of connections but definitely with Lindy it's cool," Gilbert said. "The city was just amazing. I was getting days off of school for playoff games and it was a special time and there's a super passionate fan base here. I think that when you think of those times you think of the players but you think of Lindy a lot and I think it's a super exciting time for the organization and it definitely makes signing here at this point in time a little more special.”
Gilbert signed with the Sabres on a one-year deal when free agency opened on Monday.
Previously, Gilbert played for St. Joe's Collegiate Institute, the Buffalo Junior Sabres, and the University of Notre Dame. Most recently, Gilbert played for the Calgary Flames, where he notched seven points and recorded 12 fights in just 82 games. He said more than anything, he prides himself on being a defensive-first player.
“I try to be extremely hard to play against and you can look at that in a multitude of ways," Gilbert said. "Obviously I've been willing to fight in my career and that's something that's not gonna change. You can do things that are hard to play against that aren't just fighting. It's being super physical, it's after the whistle, it's boxing guys out, its giving a cross check if someone takes a run at somebody on your team and they dont even connect but you go over and say something to them or get in their face. All that stuff is a big part of that.”
“There's just so much talent and speed and ability throughout the lineup," Gilbert said. "Hopefully with age and maturity and some of the guys who have come in, including myself, we could try to bring some of that snarl and that anger and kind of make some more push back and keep it going that way.”