Giordano and Brodie pairing turning into one of the league's best

[Salt Water Cowboy #10]

What I like about these two is that they are smart, creative, and consider their options. They don't always just bank a puck out or panick. Many time they throw a fake or a deke that buys them time to make a good pass or skate with the puck. They make good decisions about when to pinch. And they both battle hard. They aren't the biggest guys, but they have skill and focus.

[jeffman]

It's also nice knowing that if we draft hanifin, we have a proper environment for him to develop in. Instead of throwing him to the wolves every night

[PeteMoss]

The best thing about both of these guys (and Russell) is how they make themselves available on the break out. They give the forwards another option to get the puck out. Watch how many times in game these guys are receiving the outlet pass and leading the transition, carrying the puck in the neutral zone.

Gio is better in his own zone and a better shooter, but Brodie may be becoming the better breakout guy with the puck.

[Bourque's Twin]

I'm happy with Gio and Brodie as our top pair going forward. I also think Russell is a solid #4 guy and Smid and Engellend are great #5/6 guys. Throw Hanifin in on the 2nd pair and call it a d-core.

[Enoch Root]

This shows how important it is to have veterans around to pass the game on to the kids. Throwing young players out there and waiting for them to learn how to play the NHL game on their own - especially with defensemen - simply doesn't work.

Brodie has really developed into a great defenseman. The skating is all on him. But would he be as good as he is if was out there with another young D-man at his side, Oiler-fashion, trying to get better on their own?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I think we're putting the wagon befor the horse, they haven't accomplished anything yet

HS his stats from last year support him in the top 5 of the league.


No?

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by jeffman

It's also nice knowing that if we draft hanifin, we have a proper environment for him to develop in. Instead of throwing him to the wolves every night

Has there ever been a team that has a top 5 #1 defense pairing or even a top 5 #1 line that is a lottery team?

closest would be Edmonton's 2011-12 Hall- RNH- Eberle line and the Oilers sucking as a team.

Any other top units on bad team's come to mind?

Colorado had the guns Duschense- RoR - Langdeskog - statnsy but only Duschene was any good at all in 2012-13

If Gio and Brodie have a complete season equivalent to Petriangelo-Bouw, Doughty-Muzzin, Seabrook-Keith the Flames will be a lot closer to a playoff spot than to being a bottom 3 team drafting Hanifin.

No top draft picks for Nashville despite having some horrible teams when they had Suter-Weber as their #1 pairing.

[Hanna Sniper]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So, you disagree with the notion that Giordano and Brodie are turning into one of the NHL's top defensive pairings? I don't think this is "getting ahead of ourselves" at all, since the thread title and the ensuing discussion clearly acknowledge that they are not there yet. But when the media starts to make these sorts of declarations, I would say that the conversation is absolutely warranted.

When they do something then the conversation becomes warranted but until then I say you need to up the thickness of your homer glasses

When they lead us to the playoffs or start becoming a great shutdown due then lets talk but as long as we're a bottom feeding team then the statement holds no water

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

When they do something then the conversation becomes warranted but until then I say you need to up the thickness of your homer glasses...

See, my point here is that this isn't a conversation restricted to Flames "homers." When professional observers and outside market media start to say these sorts of things—which they have been—then I would say that this is definitely something worth talking about.

I think the message here is that Flames fans should not feel the need to reign in every bit of enthusiasm they experience in what is likely to be a losing season, just because the team will finish near the bottom of the standings.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

When they do something then the conversation becomes warranted but until then I say you need to up the thickness of your homer glasses

When they lead us to the playoffs or start becoming a great shutdown due then lets talk but as long as we're a bottom feeding team then the statement holds no water

Disagree vehemently.

Whether or not the Flames make the playoffs is irrelevant to the discussion at hand at how good Giordano and Brodie are. This is a team game, and the 'team' is not as good. You haven't noticed the drop-off when Giordano was injured last year, followed by the huge increase again when he returned? They are definitely one of the best top pairings in the league, and should be considered as such if the Flames go 1-81 this season or 81-1.

[Hanna Sniper]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

HS his stats from last year support him in the top 5 of the league.


No?

Brodie?, No sorry I don't think so

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

Brodie?, No sorry I don't think so

fair enough, I read your post as relating to Gio.


Do Gio's stats from last year support him being in the top 5 of the league?

[rohara66]

But..... but.... but.... shouldn't we trade Gio for a couple draft picks?

/green

[Phanuthier]

Is it save to call him a saviour now?

[Vedder]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

When they do something then the conversation becomes warranted but until then I say you need to up the thickness of your homer glasses

When they lead us to the playoffs or start becoming a great shutdown due then lets talk but as long as we're a bottom feeding team then the statement holds no water

What measure would it take for you to consider them a great shutdown duo? It's possible for them to be that without making the playoffs, considering the rest of Flames team, and the defence in particular, is weak.

[Hanna Sniper]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

See, my point here is that this isn't a conversation restricted to Flames "homers." When professional observers and outside market media start to say these sorts of things—which they have been—then I would say that this is definitely something worth talking about.

I think the message here is that Flames fans should not feel the need to reign in every bit of enthusiasm they experience in what is likely to be a losing season, just because the team will finish near the bottom of the standings.

You mention Reed Wilkins and kelly hrudey has been mention... who are these outside market media you speak of...

Let Brodie cement his stay as a top pairing NHL defenceman first before hailing him in the best pairing in the NHL talks

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

fair enough, I read your post as relating to Gio.


Do Gio's stats from last year support him being in the top 5 of the league?

Doesn't matter about Gio, he's not the one at all in question, Brodie needs to establish himself to be regarded as the best pair in the NHL.

[Chill Cosby]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

You mention Reed Wilkins and kelly hrudey has been mention... who are these outside market media you speak of...

Let Brodie cement his stay as a top pairing NHL defenceman first before hailing him in the best pairing in the NHL talks

Doesn't matter about Gio, he's not the one at all in question, Brodie needs to establish himself to be regarded as the best pair in the NHL.

Of course it matters about Gio.
It's a conversation about the top pairing.

Gio is widely regarded as one of the best defencemen in the league, and with Brodie establishing himself over the course of last season it's quite easy to see them being in consideration for one of the top pairings.

Playoffs are irrelevant when making a judgement on the quality of a player, you don't punish them for playing on a bad team.

The list of outstanding players who have been on teams that haven't made any noise in the playoffs is immense.

[dissentowner]

They are really good. I have undersestimated Brodie's D game in the past and will happily admit it. I think Russell is also almost good enough to mention in that tier, he has been so solid, rushes the puck very well, and is just plain smart out there. Those 3 are the defensive core heading toward SC contention again.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

When they do something then the conversation becomes warranted but until then I say you need to up the thickness of your homer glasses

When they lead us to the playoffs or start becoming a great shutdown due then lets talk but as long as we're a bottom feeding team then the statement holds no water

If the Flames swapped top pair d-men with Chicago or LA are the Flames a playoff team...hells no

I guess those guys aren't too good either

[Hanna Sniper]

Originally Posted by dino7c

If the Flames swapped top pair d-men with Chicago or LA are the Flames a playoff team...hells no

I guess those guys aren't too good either

I doubt LA or Chicago would make that trade...

What has Brodie done so that we have a measuring stick to use to measure against other teams.... there's a process, you have to work your way to the top by proving that you dominate and shutdown the teams top lines... until this happens then no way Brodie can be hailed above those that have a track record of doing it...