Andersson vs Brodie paired with Gio

[flameester]

Just looking over the stats for the games played with each player.

Brodie & Gio through 7 games Gio is +6

Andersson & Gio through 4 games Gio is -6

I know that people will say that +/- is no way to look at each player and how they play, but in my opinion Gio is not the same player with Andersson as he is with Brodie.

What do you think?

[Resolute 14]

I think you need to learn what 'sample size' means.

[ricardodw]

Gio with Hamilton in 2017-18 82 games 38 pts +0
Gio with Brodie 2018-19 78 games 74 pts +39

[ricardodw]

If the Flames are done with Brodie they should trade him now.

[GioforPM]

I think the laws of physics say Gio is exactly the same player no matter who he plays with.

[Greybeard]

Gio is better with Brodie. They complement each other perfectly. And the numbers show it. Some hate Brodie for his occasional mistakes that end up in our net but they really are one of the best defensive pairings in the league.

[Kovaz]

It's partly due to Gio playing differently, but Brodie's also a better player than he gets credit for. Andersson has made some mistakes that would have gotten Brodie crucified. If those are the growing pains of developing a young D-man to play on the top pairing, then so be it, but to win a game tomorrow Brodie is the stronger option.

[GreenLantern2814]

Brodie lets Gio be his best self. You can cry sample size all you want about Rasmus, but we have evidence going back to when Iginla was still on the roster that Brodie and Gio go together like peanut butter and chocolate.

[Steve Bozek]

And I think Andersson/Kylington is steadily improving

[Rick M.]

Brodie is a dynamic skater and puck carrier. Andersson is neither.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Brodie is a dynamic skater and puck carrier. Andersson is neither.

Andersson plays position better, is grittier, has a better shot and is a much better trash talker.

I'm not saying Brodie isn't better at this point. But I do think Peters plays them according to the opposition and also according to who is on the bottom pair (Stone versus Kylington). Stone needs someone more mobile with him. Kylington doesn't.

[puckedoff]

Brodie is a better listener. He lets Gio be his best self. With Andersson its just physical. The age old dillemma.

[Bingo]

What I think they need to figure out is how much the difference between Kylington/Andersson and Brodie/Stone has to do with sheltering.

When they have Andersson up they try and roll them with less hiding.

The team seems better with a third pairing protected more and two pairs carrying the mail.

[1Nite]

Does it also affect the Han/Ham pairing, in that they are getting tougher matchup, as they have had some not so good games of late?

[jlh2640]

That Brodie is no good I thought

[CF84]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Brodie lets Gio be his best self. You can cry sample size all you want about Rasmus, but we have evidence going back to when Iginla was still on the roster that Brodie and Gio go together like peanut butter and chocolate.

This is such a good description, because I know a few people that really hate peanut butter and chocolate. Those people are silly.

[lazypucker]

If Gio plays better with Brodie, why not try pairing Andersson with Hanafin?

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by flameester

What do you think?

I think that if you're trying to cycle in the offensive zone (i.e. offensive zone faceoff start with top line, or goalie pulled), Andersson's point shot is advantageous.

In virtually every other scenario - on-the-fly changes, defensive zone faceoffs, covering for weaker cycle lines, breakouts, rush offense - Brodie's impeccable gap control, elusiveness, vision, ability to read off giordano, ability to cover pinches, ability to force turnovers on the walls, etc are what make Gio - Brodie such an elite pair.

The real question is why Andersson isn't afforded more opportunity in a second pair role. Hanifin-Hamonic have been cringey dating back to last year's playoffs. Kylington/Valimaki - Andersson have shown that they deserve more opportunity.

[GreenLantern2814]

^^^I would dearly love to see Hanifin paired with someone a little more dynamic than Hamonic.

I don't know why they've been rushing a 2nd round pick onto the top pair when they have a former 5th overall pick slogging away with a modern day Rhett Warrener.

If Peters is comfortable playing Kylington/Andersson together, there's no argument to be made that Hanifin/Andersson is less reliable.

Add to that, a Stone/Hamonic 3rd pair feels about where both players should be.

[Enoch Root]

Interesting timing on the thread because I was thinking about this last night while watching the game.

IMO, Giordano is less dynamic, and less effective when paired with Andersson. And the same can be said about Brodie. Together, they are one of the elite pairings in the league - possibly the best. Apart, neither is as effective.

I also think that Andersson deserves to graduate from the bottom pairing. And I think the best place for him is with Hanifin. It's certainly worth a try anyway.

That leaves Hamonic with Kylington, whch makes total sense IMO - Hamonic is just the sort of stable vet that Kylington needs.

The challenge is how to play Stone. Stone-Hamonic doesn't make sense. But Brodie-Stone messes up the whole group.