2nd QOTD: Brodie's Offensive Potential

[Dr. Doom]

I'm struggling with this, very curious to hear what people think/expect of his potential output in years to come. For the first quarter+ of the season at least when I watched him he looked absolutely dominant offensively - smooth skater, a lot of creativity shown, great breakouts and stretch passes, very few errors, wasn't sure who was actually better between him and Gio. He's since leveled off a bit IMO and this is not a knock against him being only 24, but again IMO he's come down to earth a little.

With Gio out now, it will be interesting to see how he fairs over the last 20-or-so games. But where does everyone put him in the next 5-6 years?

Will he come down to earth/stay-the-same/or improve over the coming years offensively?

Will he be seen as an average, above-average, or an elite defenseman amongst the rest of the league?

What is his ceiling?

Sorry I know that's a lot more than just one question but it's open-ended really.

[Imported_Aussie]

Above average for sure, elite would depend on your definition - Norris calibre? In the top 30 defencemen in the NHL? Top pairing player?

[Northendzone]

slightly less than robbie schremps potential which was around 1,200 pts

[Huntingwhale]

I think he's a legit top pairing guy. He's proved that over the last couple seasons playing with the Gio. The real test was last season when Gio when down and again this season. Brodie did just fine last year when that happened. As much as it sucks Gio went down, we'd really be hooped without Brodie on the back-end. Every year since his rookie season he's taken a big step forward, this season no exception.

But no matter where he places on everyone's top lists, I think we can all agree that when his extension kicks in he will have one of the best value contracts league-wide. The fact we got him for under 5 mil, a legit top pairing guy who is only 24, is IMO Treliving's best signing for years to come. People all over the league will be gushing about this contract when he hits his prime.

[SuperMatt18]

Depends on the make up of the Flames defense.

If moving forward they add a better pairing to take some of the harder minutes from Gio and Brodie, and it allows for more offensive minutes then he probably gets into the 55-60 point range.

If he continues to be relied upon to play the tough minutes with Giordano then he probably levels off in that 40-45 point range.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think the best comparable to Brodie is Josi of the Nashville Predators.

[CroFlames]

I think he will be a top pairing guy from now and into his prime, and considered above average. He's got great sense, great skating, and a great first pass.

He has the tools to be elite, but I don't want to predict that he will.

In his prime I think he's a 50 point guy.

[N-E-B]

Brodie is an above average #2 defenseman at the moment with the potential to become an above average #1. Norris calibre? That's asking a lot, but I definitely think he's the guy who will fill Gio's role in 3 or 4 years.

[nightfx]

He's the best passer on the team IMO, he could be elite if his shot was better. (Slap shot specifically)

[SofaProfessor]

He's already among the top 20 scorers for defencemen. I dunno if I see him cracking the top 10 but I could see him as a mainstay in the 10-15 range for scoring where you currently see guys like Streit, Yandle, and Shattenkirk. He's definitely better defensively than all 3 of those guys. Brodie is certainly above average, maybe even close to being considered elite depending on where you set the line to define "elite." I think all indications have shown him to be progressing. I don't think he stops progressing now. I guess it's a matter of when he hits his ceiling. But he's not there yet, in my opinion.

[Erick Estrada]

Yeah he's got a Phil Housley/Jay Bouwmeester shot. Nothing remotely close to what you would call a hard shot.

[Jiggy_12]

His offensive potential is about what we've seen this year, maybe 15% higher would be my guess.

His shot is average but his playmaking, passing and skating ability more than make up for it. Also his hockey IQ is very high.

I'd say 45-55 points will be the norm with a ceiling around 60.

Which is fantastic.

[saillias]

Scott Niedermayer

I don't care if that's a homer/ rose-colored glasses opinion.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by saillias

Scott Niedermayer

I don't care if that's a homer/ rose-colored glasses opinion.

That's an extremely tall order. Nieds had a shot and beyond elite playmaking ability. Brodies also an amazing skater but not really close to Nieds either.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by dammage79

That's an extremely tall order. Nieds had a shot and beyond elite playmaking ability. Brodies also an amazing skater but not really close to Nieds either.

Nieds also was on his way to winning his second cup and outscored Brodie in every season up to this point including junior.

I love Brodie, and want him to become Niedermayer, but that seems a fairly tall order. Not impossible, but highly unlikely

[Komskies]

Brodie will need to work on his shot if he wants to transition from great to elite. He isn't a threat from the point, something I think all elite defenseman should be.

[mrkajz44]

His awareness on the ice tends to be great for jumping up on the rush - it seems other guys do it too, but sometimes get caught. I feel like Brodie gets caught the least and is often more than just the "trailer" when he comes in on the rush. If he continues to fine tune that skill I could see his offensive numbers continue to creep up.

[CroFlames]

Brodie won't become a Neids. Neids was exceptional.

Brodie's "ceiling" is elite if he gets a more accurate shot, but most likely he'll remain an above average top pair guy. Which I would be ecstatic about.

[dammage79]

Call me crazy or a bit extremist or what have you but in my mind, Neidermeyer was the best skater in NHL history. One of a very few who could get back to cover Bure.

[GioforPM]

Brodie won't be Neidermayer, but not a bad player to emulate with Brodie's style of play and skating ability. As for his shot, as long as he can put it on net, great. They have other guys who can blast it if need be.