I just filed a story about him, written before seeing this thread and ALL interviewed yesterday before the game. Just wanted to throw that out there before I get people saying I stole the idea.
His play this season has been so impressive. And, he's starting to get his due around the league.
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Mark 'Frickin' Giordano is right. What a monster since he was given the 'C'.
We have all witnessed the offensive breakout, but just how good is Gio as an all-around defenseman?
This year, the answer is simple: Norris Caliber.
Here are a couple of visuals that will likely blow some minds, especially those new to 'advance' statistics:
The first shows a bunch of info at once. X-axis= Zone starts; more left is more defensive. Y-axis = Quality of competition (using icetime %); higher is tougher. Size of dot = Player's ice time; bigger is more. Color of dot = Possession rating (using corsi%); bluer is better.
Spoiler!
Breakdown: Gio (and Brodie) plays a lot of impossibly tough minutes and ends up in the far end most of the time.
Next image, WOWYs (with or without you). Pretty simple, X-axis are Gio's teammates' possession #s while on the ice with Gio. Y-axis are the #s when on the ice without him. Color just refers to position. The bigger the dot, the more time they've played together.
Spoiler!
Breakdown: Literally every single other Flame is better when on the ice with Giordano. For most, it's significant. Monahan's possession rating improves over 14%. Cammy and Gio as a combo are elite. Just to give everyone an idea of how outrageous this graphic is, I chose the first 'top-5' defenseman I could think of on a bad team: Shea Weber. Take a look:
Spoiler!
Obviously, Mark Giordano doesn't have the career numbers to back up what's he's done this year in either end of the ice. But the Norris trophy is awarded based the this year's performance. I defy anyone to show me another defenseman (save only Duncan Keith) that this season has out-performed Gio as an all-around player. Perhaps his 18 games will prevent a Norris nomination, but his play this year has been nothing short of a privilege to watch. I've come to expect to see him making smart plays in his own end, hard bodychecks, great vision offensively, and a wicked shot. Thank you, Mark 'Frickin' Giordano.
/end rant
Last edited by formulate; 03-23-2014 at 04:34 PM.
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I find Ortio's with/without so interesting, since he's pretty much a way to measure the entire teams with/without. 42% when Gio is off the ice to 65% when he's on. If that's not norris caliber I don't know what is.
Without Gio this team probably would be scrapping with edmonton and Buffalo at the bottom of the standings.
^ I should use those stats to show the tools at Hfboards how important Gio is. Many don't think he is a top 10 defenseman this year and many still take phaneuf over him.
^ I should use those stats to show the tools at Hfboards how important Gio is. Many don't think he is a top 10 defenseman this year and many still take phaneuf over him.
What would be the point? Who cares what teenagers on HF who don't watch half the league think?
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Gio's starting to have that aura of being able to take over a game singlehandedly. He did that last night too, tied it at a clutch time.
The other player and time period that reminds me of this was Iginla's play during the 04 playoffs, his first season as captain. He just popped all his cooldowns in Game 7 vs Canucks and went ultimate godmode. Goal #1? Iggy snipe. #2? Iggy corralling a ####ing slapshot/slap-pass and deking it past Auld (I think it was Auld). The OT winner? Rebound off Iggy beastmoding.
Gio hasn't quite reached that level yet, but there's definitely flashes of it showing. In his first year as captaincy too. Definitely an untouchable.
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I thought it would really be tough for the Flames to find another great captain like Iginla. But man was I wrong. Gio filled the spot right in, and has taken the role as captain quite well. I am very happy to have a guy like him on our team. He is arguably the most valuable player on our team, even I consider him higher than Monahan. (Monahan, Brodie, and Backlund come next).
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"Know when I had no doubt that he was our new captain? The last game in Chicago last year. We’re out of the playoffs, everybody’s minds are already on summer and he’s out there blocking shots by Duncan Keith and Seabrook. Watching that game, watching that commitment when it would’ve easier to get out of the way with those guys loading up, just put the cherry on top of the sundae in my mind. My only candidate."
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