Gio has proven to be the most vital player on the Flames roster. His stats in all categories prove that.
The Flames will suffer it is just a matter of how much.
Without out Gio even on paper the D looks not nearly as effective.
Brodie Wideman
Russell Diaz (Waiver Diaz is not a top 4.
Engelland Smid
Wotherspoon if Smid is not fully recovered.
Gio can compensate for the loss of any D man on the Flames because he can play any role.
But we are fooling ourselves if to believe Wideman or Russell are equal to Gio or Brodie.
Wideman offensively gifted but slow.
Russell quicker than Wideman but has struggled putting up points this season.
Diaz and Engelland are a nightmare in their own zone and that is suppose to be the strength of any 3rd pairing. Now Diaz will likely only because of process of elimination is going to get 2nd line minutes yikes.
Smid last season was a decent shut down. We need Smid to a better shut down than Diaz has been.
Might sound strange but if Smid and Engelland can play rugged like we know they can it will ease some of this transition.
Diaz on the 2nd pairing is a mess though. Not a Diaz fan.
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