Favorite
1) Mark Giordano. I remember when I used to think of him as "just" a skilled high-energy guy (the way we now think of Josh Jooris) and being a fan of him then. Since then, it's been an incredible ride to see him slowly develop into the kind of smart, influential impact player that you'd associate with the words "Nick Lidstrom" and IMO is the current best D-man in the league. Now, I'll admit there're some great young superstars out there like Kieth, Doughty, etc and I don't mean to take a thing away from them; their championships speak for themselves. But Giordano just makes me feel good about hockey and his quiet, but always-smiling personality is just the perfect successor to Iginla. Think for a second that he's a guy who was never drafted, and was willing to sign a 3-way contract (i.e. -
less pay than an AHL player if he's sent down to ECHL) to break into this league. He's smart, and he's a blast to watch on the ice too whether he's skating in from out of nowhere to cover a breakaway or driving the net like a fourth forward. We've been lucky to have some good d-men the last decade or so - Regehr, Phaneuf, Boowmeester, Sarich, Warrener. Gio seemingly combines all the good about each of them and none of the bad.
2) Johnny Gaudreau. He's just amazing out there to watch. His shot seems accurate, his stick-handling is absurd, and his takeaways are jaw-dropping.
3) Josh Jooris. He's lightning out there every shift, even if he at best projects as a career 3rd liner, I still love watching him play. Doesn't hurt that he's clutch
4) Jiri Hudler. We all know his game, and his personality. What's not to like?
5a, 5b) Backlund, Monahan - Two guys I hope are still here in 2025.
6) TJ Brodie. Talented as hell, and under Gio's wing he's developed into a top 10 D-man. Still needs more experience to live up to the potential he's established for himself, which is perennial Norris candidate.
7) Kris Russell. Leads the league in shot blocks. Nuff said, that's some grittyness.
8) Matt Stajan. He's not the fastest skater or the best shooter or the hardest hitter, but he's probably our smartest forward and he's very mentally tough. I used to have an issue with him as a #2 forward because he wasn't putting up numbers, but in retrospect that wasn't his fault. He's not a 2nd liner... he's a fantastic 3rd liner. And for us he's an amazing 4th liner. I especially love his vision on the ice.
9) Curtis Glencross. The guy has given this franchise a ton of heart, and he's an underrated scorer that hasn't played with a true playmaker in a while. I know he's probably gone next year for a paycheck, but if he does stay, watch out for him on a line with Sam Bennett and Jiri Hudler.
10) Joni Ortio. If he keeps up a starter level of play, he'll be much higher on the list in a few years
I really like all of the above. HMs to Bouma, Wideman, Colborne, Granlund, Jones, Wideman, Byron, Baerstchi, even Shore.
Least Favorite:
1a, 1b, 1c) Engelland, Bollig, Diaz. They're all pretty expendable IMO and if we can get some 5th rounders for any of them, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Bring up Wolf or Ferland to take Bollig's place, hope that Smid stays healthy in Engelland's place, and then figure out the bottom D-pairing from there. I do like all of them as people, though, and we all know none of them are here a few years from now.
4?) Mason Raymond. He's not necessarily as expendable, but he plays so soft out there and I don't trust him with the puck in the offensive zone. That said, I liked the Raymond I saw in the Sharks game, if we get that Raymond the rest of the season I'm very happy with him.
