The Flames are the better team on the ice when Brodie and Giordano are out. They are the worse team on the ice when they aren't. It's as simple as that.
Some credit, but he almost lost Gio because he refused a 1 way deal for him when it was obvious he was ready for the NHL full time.
Some people have short memories. When Giordano went to play in the KHL, he was not a consistent NHL calibre defenseman. He came back as one, but when he left, there were legitimate questions about whether he would even be an every day NHLer.
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Originally Posted by woob
"...harem warfare? like all your wives dressup and go paintballing?"
Some people have short memories. When Giordano went to play in the KHL, he was not a consistent NHL calibre defenseman. He came back as one, but when he left, there were legitimate questions about whether he would even be an every day NHLer.
He was making steady progress and the season before had been our 7th defenceman playing 48 games with 15 points. What did him in was Sutter signing Eriksson so we now had 7 defencemen on one way contracts. As the 8th defenceman, Giordano knew he'd be back in the AHL or picked up by another team.
Some people have short memories. When Giordano went to play in the KHL, he was not a consistent NHL calibre defenseman. He came back as one, but when he left, there were legitimate questions about whether he would even be an every day NHLer.
I would argue he was consistent, but only as a 5-7 guy, with flashes here and there. Even when the team was a little down on him I thought they were undervaluing him a bit, and I wasn't the only one. It never felt to me like he was destined to be a call up guy throughout his career. However, no worries about any of it as it all worked out for the best for everyone involved.
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Less than 15 games in, I don't think it's a stretch to say they are THE best pairing in the league so far:
Brodie in particular was amazing last night. The quick decisions he makes in his own end are nothing short of amazing. The way he transitions the puck back to offense is getting better and better as he gets more confident... and he has to be one of the best pure skaters in the league.
Such a treat watching these guys this year. With them on the ice 25ish mins a game, this team isn't going to finish anywhere near the very bottom.
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It's the use stick/body position (of both) that continues to please me.
Reminds me of Lidstrom, tbh.
A play comes up the ice looking dangerous.... and is ended by a stick in lane and moved out of the zone like it was nothing at all. Effortless looking.
That pass from beauty last night to set Jooris in all alone was a thing of absolute beauty.... and something Flames D have not had the ability to do for a long time, imo.
I have been holding back my enthusiasm that they would be in the top pairings in the league ... but having just seen Brodie play a dominate game against the Habs I have been won over.
They are playing at a level that keeping them as a pair would make it
Weber- Keith
Doughty -Muzin
Giordano- Brodie
This leaves Subbban and/or Pietrangelo trying to push for Muzin's spot on a imaginary 2015 Olympic roster.... or if they were held in a north American
Keith- Seabrook
Doughty - Weber
Gio-Brodie
Hard to believe that it was less than 2 years ago that the trading of Bouwmeester left a considerable faction of CP feeling the Flames lacked any #1-2 capable d-men to take over Bouwmeester's tough minutes.
There was a play in the Habs game last night where he was part of a 3 on 2 going into the offensive end but the play didn't amount to anything and Montreal got possession and quickly turned it up the other way.
At that point Brodie was the deepest man in the offensive zone (other than Price) and he did a loop behind the net and put his head down and skated back hard... hard enough that by our blue line he had caught up to the play and his stick was the one that actually broke up the intended pass and put the puck harmlessly into our corner.
I must have re-watched that whole play 10 times and was amazed at how fast he caught up. Things like that make me appreciate what a player he is. It's also quite enjoyable watching teams try and play dump and chase against him... that usually lasts all of about a half period.
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