QOTD: Who are the Flames without Giordano?

[Bingo]

The man himself suggested the team has different player stepping up every night and it was silly to suggest the loss of one player would change that.

The Philly game was a great 10 minutes followed by what looked like a McDavid team clinging to a lead.

The Bruins game featured a team that got better and better as the game went on. Ramo was great, the Bruins didn't deserve to lose, but the Flames were full marks for coming out with points.

So who are these guys?

[Huntingwhale]

I voted won't change much. Losing Gio hurts, but this is the most resilient Flames team I've seen in over a decade. Every night is a new guy being the hero. We still have a strong duo in goal. And most importantly every single player on the roster is buying into what Hartley is preaching. I think we maintain the exact same regardless of having Gio in the lineup or not.

[Chingas]

A team that is mostly under rated skil wise, that plays for each other and still has the potential to suprise teams as we go. Everyone pulling in one direction is a difficult force to overcome.

[Hatter]

They have evolved into the Calgary Flame Tigers. The only thing scarier than flames are flaming tigers.

NHL beware.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Russell and Wideman have stepped up big time in terms of leadership and plugging the hole left by Gio. If they were to dip, I think it's already happened in some tough buildings on the road, but that's more a product of figuring out everyone's roles going forward. They look like they're finding their game without Gio. They won't be quite as good without him, but they're still a playoff team IMO.

[SHOGUN]

Culture is still the same... regardless if Gio is not playing, he's still the leader off ice. Obviously losing Gio is a significant blow but I think Hartley is heart beat that makes the Flames culture.

[Flashpoint]

Where's the option for "a bunch of no name Schlemkos who somehow get it done"?

:-)

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by Hatter

They have evolved into the Calgary Flame Tigers. The only thing scarier than flames are flaming tigers.

NHL beware.

It's way too early to be drinking.

[SuperMatt18]

Really depends how long our top 3 d-man can play 30+ minutes effectively.

That is keeping us together right now but if they get fatigued it may start to hurt us.

[DSIM420]

They are the Mother F'n Calgary Flames, that's who they are, you better recognize! Black and Blue hockey at it's finest!

[cDnStealth]

Gio's stamp is all over this team whether he's on the ice or not. They're still going to play hard without him in the lineup and while his absence is obviously huge we've been getting it done every night with the contribution of different players.

[c.t.ner]

With Gio out I think we're starting to see snippets of who will be the face of the team that will be contenders in the future. Of course I hope that Gio will be around when the team transforms into a perennial contender, but it's pretty clear that this team will eventually turn into Monahan and Brodie's.

Monahan has been carrying the team points wise over the past stretch and Brodie has really stepped-up to the plate. No slag on guys like Wideman, Hudler and Backlund who have been playing pretty phenomenal, but the future of this team looks like it'll be on the shoulders of these two players for years to come.

[FeyWest]

The Gio is strong in this team!

[GranteedEV]

One thing i know is that this team lost its single greatest strength, but in the process seems to have shored up its bigger weaknesses in the meantime (Engelland). They've also shored up the mental mistakes, which might have to do with Brodie being back on his forehand more often? Plus they've Shore'd up.

The schedule coming up has the least need for a Giordano - No Van, no SJS, no LAK, and a good amount of McDavid candidates.

You might argue they're a Giordano and a year more individual progress away from a cup contender. I think they've cleared away enough of the rough parts of the season where they'll stay right in the thick of things. Maybe finish a point or two out of a spot if they do miss.

No they're not a possession team but they get things done.

[Erick Estrada]

Players have stepped up in his absence but I don't know how long it will be sustainable as while they are 3-2 on this road trip they have been nowhere close to playing their best hockey. Outside of a few periods here and there in the last few games they have been largely pinned in their own end a fair bit and have relied on hot goaltending as they would be 0-5 on this trip if Ramo doesn't stand on his head and if we are going to talk that way about the Wild riding goaltending it's only fair to do the same with the Flames.

[Igottago]

Hartley's gonna keep these guys in the fight. He seems to be able to either calm them or motivate them, even when they look vastly outmatched.

[Enoch Root]

They are who we thought they were!

[PeteMoss]

Well if Ramo continues to be in God mode everything will be ok.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Hopefully they've already processed the hiccup of losing their best player.. Undoubtedly demoralizing during this Cinderella run season we've been having, but hardly a nail in our coffin. Was already pointed out above that this a group that finds a way to all shift into that extra gear and support one another when leaned on. I've said teamwork makes the dream work sarcastically about 5,000 times in my life, but it really describes this group and highlights the importance of commitment, competent management and selflessness.

I looked at this season and thought we weren't skilled enough, that the vet presence we did have was insufficient in quantity, skill and leadership. I saw a bunch of raw talent and had waking nightmares of past hungry top prospects tabbed by fans as franchise players who'd compete annually for the most prestigious hardware in the league .. Only to be contract throw ins on panic-button trades, see their development fizzle and ceiling lower to bottom line plug or ahl journeymen, or walk for nothing when it was clear there was no fit.

The individual progression of guys like Brodie, Gaudreau, Backlund and Jooris can't be understated; years of grinding have all come to fruition at the same time and we are finally being rewarded. Add the unbelievable maturity and resolve of Monahan, and I think we'll be just fine. Playoffs? Maybe not, but imo that was far from a sure thing 3 weeks ago either. Successful teams find ways to adapt and not fall victim to the mental/human element situations like this pose.
GFG!

[FeyWest]

I think Schlemko will start to get more EST here going forward, this was his first game and given it was the B's I can understand Hartley playing cautiously. Down the stretch you can't play your guys 30+ minutes a night at 110% effort and not see fatigue effects. we probably see Staj roll back in and Ferland taking Bollig's spot, and we still have Byron who can come in who's fresh.