Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
I like Gio and all but IMO Brodie is the better on ice defenseman on this team. I realize Gio is the captain and leader of the team so he is a big cog in the wheel. He's fairly paid today but the issue becomes three years in the deal when he's no longer top pairing for this team. It's one of those contracts that a lot of teams have where it's pay later to be better today.
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Giordano is still a better defender and has a superior shot compared to Brodie. Gio's compete level is still very high and gives maximum effort whenever he's out there. Sometimes I long for Brodie to be a little tougher along the boards and in front of the net. One thing I'll say is that Brodie is a much better passer and a better skater. Both players are pretty equivalent in hockey IQ and reading the play.
If you ask me who to pick at this very moment, I still take Giordano by a hair. Long term it's Brodie, no question.
As for the risk of him dropping off the top pair...I'll believe it when I see it. If it happens, it'll largely be because Hamilton has surpassed him, not necessarily because his level of play will drop off that badly. You have to consider that Hamilton would be on any other team's top pairing straight away (maybe not the Predators with Josi and Subban).