Don Cherry: "Let’s start talking about Norris Trophy right now with Mark Giordano"

[formulate]

Chara missing a decent chunk of the season and clearly slowing down since his dominant days makes him a pretty easy pass.

Giordano is out-Subbaning Subban right now, while playing a fundamentally better game in his own zone. Granted I haven't watched more than a game or two of Subban's other than the 2 against the Flames, in which he was mediocre to brutal.

Keith, Doughty, Weber and Suter are all brilliant defensemen and at least one of them is likely to get a nomination.

A guy like Burns, letang or Karlsson could steal a spot if they dominate offensively.

But Giordano is on another level so far this year. Even on the Monahan goal where Sean and Johnny have been getting deserved praise, Gio made a fantastic physical play along the boards to keep the puck deep, then stayed patient until he could make a tape-to-tape pass to Gaudreau....goal.

Interestingly, Gio/Brodie's possession numbers (one of the areas that garnered them praise last year) are down this year. One possible reason would be playing with the lead more often. Another I've seen is a higher commitment to offense; perhaps taking a few more chances that have lead to more time in their own zone, but also have clearly contributed to a spectacular offensive outburst.

If I had to guess right now, Gio gets a nomination along with Suter and whoever puts up the most points of Weber/Doughty/Keith.

[GioforPM]

Like the discussion in the Calder thread, this is a matter of name recognition, so the fact Gio is being mentioned by eastern guys is good.

[Gaudfather]

Gio is tied for fourth right now in league scoring - but all the guys ahead of him or tied with him are forwards. When looking at TOI, Gio is averaging 30% more ice time than all these other scoring leaders (on average) - meaning he is the work horse in addition to being a scoring leader. That makes his results even more impressive in my books.

[Derek Sutton]

One problem is that the award doesn't go to the best deffenseman in the league. A 40 yr old Nicklas Lidstrom, Erik Karlson and PK Subban have never been close to being the best Defenseman, not to mention so of the other nominees (Greene). It would be a huge boost for Giordano to be nominated, but you can no longer put a whole lot of value in this award. Weber, Doughty and Giordano are the three best in the league, Keith is right up there to but has won the award because of where he plays, and how strong they are, IMO.

[Goriders]

Giodano's probably the toughest Flame as well. Couldn't believe he didn't miss a shift after crashing backwards into the boards yesterday.

Perfect choice for a captain. Skilled, hard worker, tough as nails, good character guy.

I see Russell as a mini Gio. as a lot of the same qualities.

[stemit14]

One of the exciting things about Brodie is that the plays he has been pulling off and the the way he carries the play... Only a very select few defensemen do that on a consistent basis in the NHL. Off the top of my head... Giordano, Doughty, karlsson, Keith, and subban (though he ends up being a liability just as often). Even more exciting is that I would say gio and Brodie have been doing it more than the other guys so far this year.

[Coach]

I noticed today that Gio's is developing an Iggy forehead line. Must come with the awesome.

[DoubleF]

If Gio makes it, Brodie at least an honorable mention?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Giordano has 65 points in 80 freakin' games...

[Hockey_Ninja]

I remember when Don mentioned Gio as a Norris candidate a couple years back and i laughed. Safe to say i'm glad i was wrong.

[Street Pharmacist]

Hrudey said it about 3-4 years ago. I remember him talking about his late development but that he thought he'd be a Norris nominee at some point

[BACKCHECK!!!]

When Giordano was holding out and went to Russia, there was a radio interview with D Sutter, where he was asked what his organizational priorities were for the upcoming off-season.

First thing out of his mouth was that they needed to get Giordano back.

[FlamesAddiction]

Someone mentioned it earlier, and I couldn't tell if that person was serious, but if Giordano can maintain this level of play and production, I don't think being a Hart finalist is out of the question.

He leads this team on both ends of the ice and is exactly the type of player than makes his teammates better. He is completely about being unselfish on the ice.

Just my honest, and maybe homer opinion, but I think along with Crosby, Giordano is the front runner. I think losing Giordano would have a bigger negative impact on us than if the Pens lost Crosby.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I noticed today that Gio's is developing an Iggy forehead line. Must come with the awesome.

That's what happens when you keep surprising yourself:

[metal_geek]

Not to be a debbie downer but if Iginla doesn't win the heart , the year he wins every other major award because of easter bias. I'm pretty sure gio is gonna have to do something else along with being the best dman in the league to win the norris.

[terminator]

Originally Posted by metal_geek

Not to be a debbie downer but if Iginla doesn't win the heart , the year he wins every other major award because of easter bias. I'm pretty sure gio is gonna have to do something else along with being the best dman in the league to win the norris.

He's also going to be one of the best forwards.

Gio is a Doward.

[metal_geek]

Originally Posted by terminator

He's also going to be one of the best forwards.

Gio is a Doward.

And the one voter from montreal still might not have him in his top 3....

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by metal_geek

Not to be a debbie downer but if Iginla doesn't win the heart , the year he wins every other major award because of easter bias. I'm pretty sure gio is gonna have to do something else along with being the best dman in the league to win the norris.

Are you suggesting the Easter bunny has it in for the Flames?

[metal_geek]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

Are you suggesting the Easter bunny has it in for the Flames?

Yes.... And my aunt Ester

[GioforPM]

Iginla not winning the Hart was more about that writer ensuring a guy from the local team won as opposed to eastern bias. I think the same thing would've happened if Iginla played on an eastern team (that didn't make the POs thus giving an excuse to leave him off the top 3).