Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames
Trade Giordano? This is not the right time for that. Who will take over his leadership?
He's a force to be dealt with and unless you can get an insane return for him don't even listen to offers. Gio is a late bloomer and has plenty of years left. Shouldn't look at trading him for at least 2 more years. By then Monahan will be ready to take over captaincy.
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I don't want to under estimate Gio's leadership, but ultimately, if and when this team is ready to contend for a cup, the leadership mantle should be passed on to Monahan and Bennett, and if those two are not capable of learning and replicating the environment that Gio has created, then the Flames are in big trouble.
Leadership has to come from the core and as Gio ages, he's not going to be part of that core. In 89, McDonald was the captain and the assistants were Peplinski and Hunter, and on most nights in the playoffs, only 1 of those 3 guys got into the lineup. The real leadership came from the core players in Gilmour, Nieuwendyk, MacInnis, Vernon, etc.
The same goes for Hudler, Gaudreau and Monahan will have to learn to succeed without him because he's not going to be as effective or around when the team is ready to contend.
The young core has to learn to succeed without the veterans who guided them when they entered the league. They have to become those leaders.
You say trade Giordano in 2 years time, when he is 2 years older and locked up on a big ticket contract. If his game has deteriorated at all, then you could be stuck with that contract which will severly hamper your ability to sign the core or add pieces to the team.
I'm not saying you have to trade him now, but I think Treliving has to be real careful on the term and money he gives Giordano and if it doesn't work for Gio's camp, then Treliving has to seriously explore the trade option.