Quote:
Originally Posted by Buff
Unless Gio asks to be traded to a contender, I suspect he'll retire at the end of next year, playing all of his NHL games as a Calgary Flame.
I'm not really upset with that either. Yes, it sucks to not cash in on getting value for a player about to leave the team or league. However, every player retires at some point, thus making every team "stuck" with not trading away a player to get something for him. I would be fine if Gio was one of the guys we are stuck with.
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I used to feel that way, but player/team loyalty is becoming less and less of a thing.
I think if there's a player that has been foundational to a team's success (core part of all those contending years, or those cup runs) that's one thing, but outside of iginla/kipper, I just don't think the flames must partake in that level of admiration and respect for anyone over the last decade, Giordano included (whom I love as a flame and everything he stands for).
Also, in my opinion, this team can't afford to be touchy/feely about their decisions at this point. Shrewd asset management is required, otherwise the odds of a bad few seasons becoming a bad decade increase exponentially.
To the point of "GioforPM" above, this isn't about dumping Giordano off either. This is likely a symbiotic move where he also gets a far better chance to make a run at a cup or 2 before calling it a career.