Quote:
Originally Posted by Burning Beard
So if you trade Gio now and lose Hamonic and Brodie then who is left to mentor Andersson, Valamaki and Kylington? I feel like those guys have all so far benefited from having a Norris winning defenseman showing them the ropes.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Lime
If you trade Gio and sign Brodie, then the anchor and mentor role goes to Brodie, who isn't as suited for it. If you trade Gio and Brodie walks, you have to sign or trade a Gio replacement, which is likely a downgrade.
I'd keep Gio until he's done taking 1x1 contracts, or can no longer play in the top 4.
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The players have played with Gio long enough though, that I think you can trust them to hold onto the experience, and continue to grow from it although those vets aren't around anymore.
The young defensive crop is fairly young still. Each player has a lot of growth potential still. Ultimately, it's gonna be on the players themselves to reach their potential, not Gio.
Don't hold onto Gio for a mentor role, and have his value plummet. Flames need to learn from the Iginla trade to not hold onto to an ageing star player too long. If you're not in cup contending territory, then you gotta maximize those assets while you have the chance.
They gotta move Gio this offseason if they get the chance at a good return back. Flames weakness is lack of blue chip prospects in the organization. There's moves that can be made this summer that can really address that hole. In the salary cap era, you
have to build from within.