Mark Giordano Olympic Considerations?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Better chance than Justin Schultz at least.

obviously...he will likely be -50 by that time

[You Need a Thneed]

Giordano is the kind of guy that could be having a really outstanding year, and may never even get a thought. The kind of guy, that, if Canada could send two teams, could make the second team, and lead them to victory, even over the first team.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Nothing wrong with Giordano going in. Provides some leadership, does everything well - offensively chips in, very good defensively, can be physical, and he shoots left which is a weakness on team Canada. Wouldn't be outrageous if he was selected, if he continues playing the way he has, but it would also require some injuries and/or some poor play from a few guys ahead of him. He is a 'perfect' 7th defencemen though.

It is just nice to see Giordano being recognized this year so far for bouncing back so well.

[Cheerio]

He has better odds than Francois Beauchemin I think

[djsFlames]

Slim chance.

Though mostly because the Flames team as a whole is so often overlooked. Gio is most definitely a gem of a d-man. I'd take him on the bottom pairing of my Canadian team any day.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I think they mean on the Italian team no?

[doctajones428]

Team Canada is hurting bad on left handed D men.

I would not be shocked to see one of Bouwmeester, Hamhuis or Giordano make the team as a 7th defenseman

EDIT:

Though I guess Scuderi or Staal will be lefties being considered over those guys

[TurnedTheCorner]

Bouwmeester will because Pietrangelo will. That's pretty much a given IMO.

[moon]

With the big ice surface my guess is Canada goes with a skater/PP guy like Subban or Letang for the 7th role and it is doubtful Giordano beats any of them.

Throw in Keith, Doughty, Weber, Pietrangleo for 4 additional spots that Gio has 0 shot of beating out and it looks at best he is competing for the bottom pairing spots against 2 guys better than him and with familiarity with team Canada and a player on the team in Seabrook and Bouwmeester.

In terms of left handed defense I would say it is unlikely that he would be ahead of Hamhuis, Marc Staal or Dion Phaneuf unless he turns up his play even more than he has now and he has been about as good as he ever has so far.

For me that puts at least 5 guys ahead of him right now with guys like Vlasic, Boyle, Hamonic and Alzner about equal. With his great season he may pass some of them but with a lack of team Canada experience, okay but not great skating/style for the big ice surface and a really poor year last year I see no chance that Gio makes the team Canada roster. Does his name come up when they are tossing names around the room pre-tournament? Likely but doubt it goes much beyond mentioning him and then moving on.

No shame in that as it is a crazy tough team to make and doesn't take away that Gio has been great this year and likely the best Flames player, certainly defenseman, this year.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Regardless of outcome glad to see this team calling out people simply not giving enough while showing positive reinforcement to those who deserve it. Glad to see some shine from a long time asset who was in a slump

[Erick Estrada]

Considering Giordano's career path as an undrafted free agent, solid AHL career, season in Russia, who has worked hard for everything he's attained in his career just being mentioned for consideration is pretty nice for him.

[albertGQ]

I think Canada would want a defenseman that plays similar to him but actually has a slap shot.

[Poe969]

If Gio makes team Canada's olympic team, they're in trouble. Sure, he might be our best defenseman but he's not that good.

But he'll probably make team Canada for the Spangler Cup!

[LouCypher]

Gio has many dimensions to his game, when he plays like this and if he keeps it up it be hard not to take a long look.

[Flashpoint]

You'd need to list the top 10 Canadian D, and then decide which 4 you want to bump for Gio.

He's good, but so was Mark Recchi. Canada is just too deep to take everyone.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Longshot for sure, but at least he is getting some recognition. Webber, Doughty, Pieterangelo, Keith are locks I would think. Bouw and Seabrook will have an advantage given their regular playing partners. Subban has been outstanding (although too undisciplined for my taste), Letang has to be in the hunt, Hamhuis, Phaneuf, probably a ton of other guys I have forgotten. Not likely for Gio, but no shame in that. Save some miles on him for our playoff push!

[polak]

Any other roster, there is a shot. Not Canada's.

We might not always win but we have a very large crop to pick from with a lot of stars. Gio would be hard pressed to make it.

Of course, it is possible, especially if he keeps scoring.

[Huntingwhale]

Giordano has a 50% chance of making the team. He either makes it, or he doesn't.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Bouwmeester will because Pietrangelo will. That's pretty much a given IMO.

Yes. I think the defense is set.

Doughty-Weber
Keith-Seabrook
Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo
Letang

Subban would be next.

There are also guys like Marc Staal, Brian Campbell and Marc Methot for left handed shots.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

I will eat my pubes out of a #### stained toilet while watching Rita Mcneil videos if Giordano makes Team Canada.

He is barely our best defenseman.

I don't know you and I have nothing against you but damn do I hope he makes it just for the YouTube video of that.

Gold Jerry.