Gionta hoping to remain a Sabre: 'I want to see this thing through'

Brian Gionta knows where he wants to be: Buffalo.

The Sabres captain said Tuesday that despite pending unrestricted free agency, he wants to remain with Buffalo.

"I'd like to stay here," Gionta said, writes Buffalo Hockey Beat's Bill Hoppe. "I'd like to be here going on in the future. I want to see this thing through."

That would be the Sabres' rebuild. Buffalo was hoping to take big strides this season, but is on track to miss the playoffs for the sixth straight season.

Gionta's 38 and has given the Sabres a list of five teams he'll accept a trade to ahead of Wednesday's 3 p.m. deadline. He's producing, with 13 goals and 29 points in 63 games. He could bring back a middle-of-the-road draft pick.

The undersized winger is playing out the final season of his contract, earning $4.25 million.

Gionta's one of four Sabres who are set to become UFAs and who've no doubt heard or read their names in trade rumors. Defenders Cody Franson and Dmitry Kulikov, and goaltender Anders Nilsson could be on the move Wednesday, as well.

Put Franson in Gionta's camp - he wants to stay in Buffalo, too, beyond this season.

"I like this group. I like the city," he said.