[GDT] Flames @ Predators. 6pm MT. SNW

[foofighter15]

Why can't Bennett be given a legitimate shot at playing his natural position? He got what 2 games? AND HE KILLED IT! Mind boggling.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Is Gio confirmed to play or another game time decision?

This is a big game. I imagine he'll play if he's even close to game shape.

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames Geoff Ward says Mark Giordano is once again a game-time decision vs. #Preds. #CGYvsNSH

[foshizzle11]

Me too, this is a big step forward if we can get a win tonight.

Definitely get Gio in there for Stone if he is ready to go.

Big win tonight, get the two points tonight with a tight game, 3-2 win. Backs, Mangiapane and Lucic score tonight.

[TheScorpion]

I've read the script for tonight's game and it's a 4-1 Flames win. Gustafsson, Giordano, Brodie, and Lindholm with the goals for the Flames, Granlund for the Predators.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Yeah they had a full day/night in Nashville yesterday with no practice.

uh oh.

[Toonage]

Apparently the weather was crap last night in Nashville, so I'm guessing the team stayed in their hotel rooms, curled up with a quilt, some hot chocolate and a good book then got to bed early.

Wouldn't shock me to hear that Geoff Ward stopped by each room to say good night.

Flames win this one.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by foofighter15

Why can't Bennett be given a legitimate shot at playing his natural position? He got what 2 games? AND HE KILLED IT! Mind boggling.

"Killed it" is a bit of an exaggeration. He did OK. I don't get the need to shove Ryan down the lineup after what he's shown.

I'm all for letting him play centre on the 4th line though. I think that's an issue about Jankowski not being able to play wing for some reason (TBF neither could Backlund).

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Just chatted with Mark Giordano. I would be pretty surprised if #Flames captain didn’t return to line-up vs. #Preds tonight. We’ll see. #CGYvsNSH

[dissentowner]

Big two points coming up tonight! Unleash the Frogbort!

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Is he better than Stone? Yes. Problem solved.

Do you want him rushing back for the game tonight and risking re-injury if he's only 90%?.... I don't. It seems like he's certainly teetering based on taking skates and not dressing. If you sit him again tonight, you've got another 48 hours of rest and rehab you can get in before the Tampa game on Saturday which is probably enough to get someone that close fully over the hump.

The team was able to beat Boston with Stone in the lineup, it's not like they can't get it done with him dressed against the Predators. I'm more concerned that we're going to see another wild swing in effort/execution from the group as a whole than having Stone or Gio in the lineup.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Is he better than Stone? Yes. Problem solved.

In fairness, Oliver Kylington is better than Stone and isn't at risk to aggravate his injury. Derek Forbort is better than Stone at Stone's own role too.

Regardless, I'll be happy to see Gio back.

[Puppet Guy]

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Do you want him rushing back for the game tonight and risking re-injury if he's only 90%?.... I don't. It seems like he's certainly teetering based on taking skates and not dressing. If you sit him again tonight, you've got another 48 hours of rest and rehab you can get in before the Tampa game on Saturday which is probably enough to get someone that close fully over the hump.

The team was able to beat Boston with Stone in the lineup, it's not like they can't get it done with him dressed against the Predators. I'm more concerned that we're going to see another wild swing in effort/execution from the group as a whole than having Stone or Gio in the lineup.

They were apparently targeting tonight for his return. It has to happen sometimes. He was close on Tuesday, he will be a game time decision tonight. If he plays it's because he's ready. 90% effectiveness doesn't always equal a higher chance of re-injury either. It may just mean he isn't at full game speed, but the chances of re-injury are the same as 100%.

Look, I'm always nervous when a guy comes back, but that's just me. Usually it's just fine.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

In fairness, Oliver Kylington is better than Stone and isn't at risk to aggravate his injury. Derek Forbort is better than Stone at Stone's own role too.

Regardless, I'll be happy to see Gio back.

Forbert instead of Stone seems like a no brainer except for handeness. It must be that he is really uncomfortable about playing off hand.

[TheScorpion]

I was somewhat critical of the Flames' decision to load up on defensemen at the deadline again but I have to admit the end result is a ridiculously deep defensive group:

Giordano - #1 defenseman
Brodie - top-pairing defenseman
Hanifin - second-pairing defenseman
Andersson - second-pairing defenseman
Hamonic - second-pairing defenseman
Gustafsson - second-pairing defenseman
Forbort - #5 defenseman
Kylington - #6 defenseman
Stone - depth defenseman
Yelesin - depth defenseman

And then there's the Valimaki wild card, although as far as I'm aware he's done for the year.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Forbert instead of Stone seems like a no brainer except for handeness. It must be that he is really uncomfortable about playing off hand.

Except Brodie is more comfortable playing the right side...

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Reigning norris winner doesn't hold water. He has been anything but this year.

I'd pump the breaks if you're suggesting Giordano hasn't been very good this year.

His production is off, but league wide in other key stats ...

31st in CF% (1st)
48th in Shot splits (2)
25th in xGF% (1)
49th in SCF% (2nd)
56th in HDCF% (2nd)

And even production ... he's still generating

ixG/60 36th
iSCF/60 22nd
iShot/60 18th
iHDCF/60 59th

Really the only difference is the puck isn't going in this year. The guy is still an elite top pairing defenseman by almost any measure.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Except Brodie is more comfortable playing the right side...

Yeah, but he's kind of a unicorn that way. Gustafsson doesn't mind it either.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yeah, but he's kind of a unicorn that way. Gustafsson doesn't mind it either.

I meant that

Forbort-Brodie

makes more sense than

Brodie-Stone

and

Gustaffsson-Stone or Kylington-Gustaffsson in a sheltered 3rd pair role

makes more sense than

Brodie-Stone in a tough minutes top pair role..

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Really the only difference is the puck isn't going in this year. The guy is still an elite top pairing defenseman by almost any measure.

And given that the biggest differential between his Norris year and his previous ones was a huge jump in assists, I'd say that the dip in Monahan and Gaudreau's production is partly to blame for a drop in Gio's points.