Mark Giordano Olympic Considerations?

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by strombad

I don't see it, but the last few posters aren't wrong. There are a few top level guys playing right now, and after them there's a big group of guys that are incredibly close (which Gio is part of).

Really, the best thing going for Gio is the fact that there really is only 1 elite, no doubt about it defenseman for Canada right now that shoots left, and that's Keith. After that you have Bouwmeester who will make it for his speed and his play with Pietrangelo, but even Bouwmeester isn't magnitudes better than Giordano.

It all depends on how much Team Canada cares about having D play their on their weaker side. It matters more on smaller ice, and assuming Sochi's rink is international size (Which by the way, varies from rink to rink, i.e. Salt Lake was smaller than Torino) you might think Canada would take 5 or even 6 right handed defensemen, and only take 2 or 3 left handed ones.

Really if the team was picked today there isn't a chance Giordano's name would be called IMO. Saying that, the way he was playing before the injury, and the fact he now has more time to showcase how good he is this year (The date for team selection has been pushed back) makes me believe that if he can keep up the play, he may have a shot over Vlasic for that last spot on the team. Even that is probably just wishful thinking as a Flames fan, but so be it. It's fun being an optimist.

[stemit14]

Do u guys really think he shouldn't even be considered if he keeps playing like he has? It's not like last night was just a rare good game for him... He's been playing the best hockey of his career all season and he didn't miss a beat coming back from a long injury. And he has dictated the pace of the game when he's out there this year. I think some of you forget how good the flames were playing before he was injured. They were rarely outplayed and most of their losses were due to poor goaltending. He has been that much of a difference maker to this team.

Again, guys like phaneuf, Letang, and subban are more prone to stupid and costly mistakes and don't offer the shot-blocking, grit, and simple plays that guys like giordano, seabrook, and Vlasic can offer. And amongst those 3 right now... Gio is playing the best.

If I were picking team canada today, it's defence would be:

Doughty-weber
Petrangelo-bouwmeaster
Keith-giordano
Seabrook

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Doughty-weber
Petrangelo-bouwmeaster
Keith-giordano
Seabrook

Jesus what a mess.

Keith (L) - Doughty (R)
Bouwmeester (L) - Pietrangelo (R)
Giordano (L) - Weber (R)

Seabrook (R)


Not saying I agree with your picks, but D pairings that are written out all F-ed up is a pet peeve of mine.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Jesus what a mess.

Keith (L) - Doughty (R)
Bouwmeester (L) - Pietrangelo (R)
Giordano (L) - Weber (R)

Seabrook (R)


Not saying I agree with your picks, but D pairings that are written out all F-ed up is a pet peeve of mine.

No worries. That does look much better actually

[djsFlames]

I'd take him if I were a TC guy looking at candidates. Even putting that Flames bias aside. He's looked insanely good defensive and offensively this season. Playing the best hockey of his career and has been impactful almost every game he's played. Definitely has been leaving it all out there night after night. I might end up taking him as that extra #7 guy but still. The leadership intangibles. He's olympic material when looking at Canadian defensemen.

If it weren't for JBo's speed I'd leave that guy at home. Definitely not a character guy that I would depend on to step up when things get tight.

[SebC]

Giordano is leading all NHL defensemen in points per game (granted, it's a small sample size), and is solid defensively as well. If he can sustain his level of play from prior to the injury, team Canada would be foolish to not consider him.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Do u guys really think he shouldn't even be considered if he keeps playing like he has? It's not like last night was just a rare good game for him... He's been playing the best hockey of his career all season and he didn't miss a beat coming back from a long injury. And he has dictated the pace of the game when he's out there this year. I think some of you forget how good the flames were playing before he was injured. They were rarely outplayed and most of their losses were due to poor goaltending. He has been that much of a difference maker to this team.

Again, guys like phaneuf, Letang, and subban are more prone to stupid and costly mistakes and don't offer the shot-blocking, grit, and simple plays that guys like giordano, seabrook, and Vlasic can offer. And amongst those 3 right now... Gio is playing the best.

If I were picking team canada today, it's defence would be:

Doughty-weber
Petrangelo-bouwmeaster
Keith-giordano
Seabrook

Gio has been great, but the injury has to have moved him down in consideration, and it remains to be seen if he can keep his level of play so high in the games between now and early January. As I said, if he can keep his early season and last night's pace going for the next dozen or so games, he's maybe going to give Team Canada some pause in passing him over.

I also think Subban is a lock for the team. And from what I've heard from the talking heads and pundits, Seabrook isn't a given. Not considering pairs, I have to think the depth chart is something like

Kieth
Doughty
Weber
Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester
Subban

Letang is in the mix, as is Vlasic, Boyle, and Staal, I imagine. And despite what the pundits say, Seabrook too for all I know. It's not a slight against Giordano's play to date to suggest he's on the outside looking in, it's just a testament to the group that can be assembled IMO.

I hope Gio plays lights out for the next 12 games, just to make it exciting. He has an all around 2-way game, skates well, blocks shots, and is really well rounded. That he might not excel in an aspect comparative to other candidates might work against him. Time will tell.

[doctajones428]

He's Canada's 5th or 6th best left handed D, unfortunately only two or three lefties will be going

[dino7c]

sorry guys not a chance he goes

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Very unlikely he'll get picked, but he should be considered, along with a bunch of potetential #7 guys. In his favour is that he is an LHD and has some experience on international ice. I think it is also beneficial that he isn't just a powerplay, point producer. Team Canada should have plenty of that already. I would hope they look for a more all-round type player, which could be Gio, could be Hamhuis, maybe even Hamonic. I think Vlasic might be the guy as well. Lots of talent to choose from.

[Enoch Root]

I don't think people are being unreasonable discussing it - Giordano has played well enough to be in the group that gets mentioned for consideration.

The chances of being on the actual team are very remote, pending injuries, but he deserves to be in the conversation with the other players listed above.

Canada is so deep on D and there are 4 or 5 absolute locks. But after that, the way he is playing this year, he is definitely in the next group.

It is easy to say that he isn't but he is carrying the Flames on his back - imagine what he would look like playing with Keith or Pietrangelo on a deep team like St Louis.

[Enoch Root]

PPG for defensemen:

Giordano 1.22
Karlsson 0.93
Keith 0.83
Subban 0.80

Obviously a bit of trolling because Gio has only played 9 games, but it still illustrates how well he has played in those games.

And on that list, Keith is the only other one who is as good in his own end as he is in the offensive zone.

[Mr.Coffee]

Personally, I honestly believe he is a better overall defenseman than Bouwmeester and especially Phaneuf.. I'd slot him ahead of Bouwmeester. Canada probably should take Giordano actually considering what a great season he's having. He's a difference-maker every game.

[bluck]

Just wanted to give this thread a quick bump because I heard in another thread that Weber may be injured. If this is true do you think Gio gets a look?? Would be awesome if he did!

[sureLoss]

According to McKenzie, the Weber injury is not considered serious and shouldn't keep him out of the Olympics

[djsFlames]

Still think Giordano >>>> Vlasic.

[Sylvanfan]

That injury really hurt Giordano's chances. If Hockey Canada had a 35 game sample of him playing the way he has when they made their decision, I suspect he would have been given a stronger look.

So far he's been everything you could ask from the Captain of this team. Massive upgrade on Todd Simpson!

[MissTeeks]

Duhatschek was on the Fan this morning and he said he was told that Gio is first in line if a lefthanded defenseman gets injured before the Olympics.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

I might be a terrible person for saying this, but I'll be praying to the hockey Gods that someone lays out Vlasic tomorrow and injures him just long enough to keep him out of the Olympics (on a clean check of course).

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

I might be a terrible person for saying this, but I'll be praying to the hockey Gods that someone lays out Vlasic tomorrow and injures him just long enough to keep him out of the Olympics (on a clean check of course).

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