I mentioned all this about gio in the cammalleri thread... He's a left-handed defenseman (which team canada is shy on). He has played on the big ice before in the KHL. He is having a great season and is scoring at a point-per-game pace. He consistently wins battles against the best players in the league. He is one of the top shot-blockers in the NHL. He can play in every situation and makes smart plays. He is just as fast a skater as any of the other guys they are considering. Another bonus with him over some of the other guys that he's competing with for that spot is that he is not as prone to stupid mistakes like those guys are (subban, Letang).
There will be plenty of defensemen on team canada that can put up points (weber, doughty, petrangelo, Keith) but giordano brings other intangibles too. I think it's fair to compare him to Marc Edward Vlasic who is currently being considered for that spot by team canada. But giordano has more offensive upside, is a better skater, is more physical, and is a better shot-blocker. Honestly, the only thing that giordano doesn't have going for him is that he was not at the summer orientation camp. If he was at that camp, his play so far this year would have everyone picking him to be on the team right now. Before his injury, he only trailed subban and karlsson for points among defensemen.
If he keeps playing like he has, it would be a mistake for team canada not to bring him. Having all four of doughty, Keith, Letang, and subban would very redundant. Gio brings a different element to team canada.
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