Due to the discussion in the PGT who is your better Flame? Gio, the reigning Norris champ, captain of the team, absolute monster on the ice? Or do you choose Johnny, the diminutive super star forward, electrifying on the ice, and a wizard with the puck? Or is this a choice that cannot be made as both players are the heart and soul of this team?
[Mods can we get a poll with three options? Gio, Johnny, Can't Choose - don't make me!!]
I think Gaudreau takes a lot of undeserved flack from Flames fans. If you watch other teams consistently, you will see that all offensively talented players have good games and bad games, turnovers, games where they are ineffective, etc. Gaudreau stirs the drink offensively, and is every bit as dominant as his 99 points last year suggests he is.
Having said that, it is Giordano for me. Gio is the heart and soul of the team. He leads by example, has an elite work ethic, and, oh yeah, is one of the best defensemen in the league. IMO, right now, considering both offense and defense (and then throw in leadership and intangibles), Giordano is the best defenseman in the league.
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I'll look at it this way. I'm more confident in our ability to win games if Gaudreau is out of the lineup than when Giordano is out of the lineup. I know the team did fine when Gio was injured a few years ago but I wouldn't bet on it a second time. He's an absolute workhorse every single game and he has very few off games over a given season. That's tough to replace, even with the promising progression of Hanifin.
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They were mic’d up against the Bruins in China. Listen for Gio singing at about 2:15
Also there was that visa commercial where they competed. Cant find it but recall Gio calling Johnny a pigeon and Johnny calling Gio ‘old man’. Remember Johnny forgot his sock tape and Gio won. His celebration became a gif, courtesy of AC. It may need to be brought back
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Objectively thinking if the team lost Gaudreau for 40 games we miss the playoffs, loosing Gio means it would be a tough loss but still quite possible to make the playoffs.
For me it's Gaudreau and not even close
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Objectively thinking if the team lost Gaudreau for 40 games we miss the playoffs, loosing Gio means it would be a tough loss but still quite possible to make the playoffs.
For me it's Gaudreau and not even close
I think it's Giordano for the exact same reasoning.
Defensemen play more minutes and there's only half as many of them.
Tkachuk is also a top line LW to boot.
Norris winners are generally top 10 players in the league.