Short skaters got no reason to leave today's NHL

After setting a team record with 48 goals last season, Brian Gionta had to sit on the sideline throughout training camp last month until the New Jersey Devils managed to manipulate their payroll to fit him under the salary cap.

Former first-round draft pick Sergei Samsonov is one of the best stick-handlers. (Getty Images)

For some players, missing that kind of prep time would be an obstacle heading into a new season. To Gionta, who triggered a comeback win over Toronto on Thursday by exploding for a third-period hat trick and then scoring in a shootout, it was just another one of the challenges he has faced throughout his hockey career.

Gionta, for the uninitiated, stands 5-feet-7, making him the shortest player in the NHL, and in many ways, its unlikeliest star.

"I've always been the smallest player on my hockey teams, but I've learned to use that negative as motivation," Gionta said. "If I see a big guy in my way, I challenge him as if I was four or five inches taller and 30 or 40 pounds heavier."

That's the kind of thing people notice. Once upon a time, players of Gionta's stature were almost always dismissed by teams intent on finding linebacker types who could skate. But with post-lockout era's new emphasis on speed and skill, it's less about how big a stick you're holding than how you use it.

"Small players either play bigger or they have a lot of natural talent," said former Devils coach Larry Robinson. "You look back over the years and there's always been room for small guys in the league if they play big.

"But there's a key thing for them to realize in order to succeed in the NHL. They have to figure out that if being small isn't an advantage, they can't let it to be a disadvantage either."

Obviously Gionta has learned that lesson, although he's not the only one. Here's a look at 10 more players who are the big men of the NHL's mighty-mite brigade.

Daniel Briere: Although he is officially listed as being 5-10, Briere probably had his skates on for the measurement. Not that it really matters for the Sabres co-captain, who has evolved into a dynamic offensive force since Buffalo acquired him from Phoenix in 2003.

Martin St. Louis: After bouncing around for several years between the NHL and the minors, the 5-9 right winger found a home in Tampa Bay and became the league MVP when the Lightning won the 2004 Stanley Cup. For some reason, people thought his game slipped last year because he scored "only" 31 goals.

Paul Kariya: Another player who is deceptively listed at 5-10, Kariya was considered among the league's top five or 10 players early in his career. Not anymore, but the Nashville Predators left wing still has the speed and savvy around the net to make him a force to be reckoned with.

Sergei Samsonov: Montreal signed the 5-8 free-agent left winger to give their offense a much-needed boost. A former first-round draft pick, Samsonov is at his best one-on-one. He can stick-handle his way out of a phone booth and, despite his size, is tough to knock off the puck.

Steve Sullivan: Now in his 11th NHL season, the 5-9 forward tended to be overlooked until he arrived in Nashville a couple of years ago, even though he has been a consistent offensive producer. Sullivan is a great skater and playmaker, and he can line up at any spot up front.

Martin Straka: The Rangers have developed a thing for Czech players recently, but this 5-9 veteran is in New York because of his talent, not his nationality. Straka is a quick, elusive skater who can handle a variety of offensive roles without sacrificing any defense.

Mike Cammalleri: The former Michigan Wolverines star forward is 5-9 and showed a lot of offensive flash in his first full NHL season with the Los Angeles Kings last year. He's an excellent playmaker who thinks the game well and generally finds a way to get to the net.

Derek Roy: His skating ability and work ethic makes this 5-9 winger a perfect fit for the Sabres. Roy does a job at both ends of the ice, and contributes timely offense for Buffalo.

Francis Bouillon: Yes you can play good defense without being a big guy, as the 5-8 "Soup" proved last year for the Canadiens. Bouillon is out indefinitely with a knee injury, but when he's healthy, he moves the puck well and eats up a lot of minutes of ice time.

Jiri Hudler: If he lives up to his potential this season, the 5-9 Hudler could make a case for the rookie of the year award with the Red Wings. Hudler showed great offensive instincts and creativity in the minors last year, but there are questions about his work ethic at times.