[Igottago]

Originally Posted by CGY12

May be unpopular but I look at trading BOTH Brodie and Giordano. A team might just be willing to over pay to acquire the Norris trophy winner (i think) and we can address the forward issue (top 6 speed and 1 shot scoring ability). I can appreciate all he's done for the franchise but the organization needs to start prioritizing winning the cup above anything else. Part of doing that is moving on from players and capitalizing on their value when its high. The franchise always seems to hold on till the bitter end, only to try when they have no choice and are worth peanuts (Phanuef, Iginla, Bouwmeester, Regehr, etc.).

Now i'm not pinning the playoff performance on Gio but we've seen what he's capable of in the playoffs. We look damn good on D with the likes of Valamaki, Kylington, Andersson, Hanifin. Turn the keys over to them. Sign a cheaper UFA who can bring in some grit and toughness (but also has the ability to skate) and run with these 4 as your top 2 D pairings.

Great post and I hope the organization is this forward thinking. I also don't think another year older Gio will have a Norris caliber season again next year. He's not going to fall off a cliff but I don't think he'll be at quite the same level. At some point age catches up. I could talk about the sentimentality about keeping him around, but that stuff is irrelevant. Just like you said, time to prioritize winning.