Gio becoming bonafide top 2 D?

[FBI]

This guy has been Dominant this year. Scoring at almost a ppg, and being solid defensively.

What doesn't this guy do?
- scores well
- passes well
- defends well
- hits well
- sticks up for teammates
- captains the team
- is clutch
- is good with the media

I think we found a real hidden gem here and he could be the backbone of our D through the rebuild and into contending.

Love Gio.

[bucksmasher]

I would rather have Mark Gio on my hockey team than Harry Potter and everyone's penciling him (hp) in for team Canada.

edit: and many were booing at the suggestion of Gio for team Can

[jg13]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

I would rather have Mark Gio on my hockey team than Harry Potter and everyone's penciling him (hp) in for team Canada.

Harry Potter can't play for team Canada he is from the UK.

[sergei_makarov]

He really is night and day difference when you think back to how he looked before he left for Russia. It was hard to imagine back then that he'd get to the level he plays at today as he just didn't seem to have the talent or think the game at the level he does.

Really awesome progression and definitely the heart and soul of this team. The thing with Giordano is he really does think the game at a high level and you see it with the patience he shows in the offensive zone when under pressure. Doesn't panic and shows a lot of creativity where most other players just end up throwing the puck away to be safe.

[bucksmasher]

He actually looks like a cross between harry potter and rob kerr........if you will

Originally Posted by jg13

Harry Potter can't play for team Canada he is from the UK.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by sergei_makarov

He really is night and day difference when you think back to how he looked before he left for Russia. It was hard to imagine back then that he'd get to the level he plays at today as he just didn't seem to have the talent or think the game at the level he does.

Really awesome progression and definitely the heart and soul of this team. The thing with Giordano is he really does think the game at a high level and you see it with the patience he shows in the offensive zone when under pressure. Doesn't panic and shows a lot of creativity where most other players just end up throwing the puck away to be safe.

I didn't see him like that. I saw a guy with a lot of skill, great skating and puck handling but a little too offensive orientated. Going to Russia seemed to teach him the defensive side of the game, as mind bottling as that seems. Maybe playing with vet Danny Markov was a good learning experience.

[Hockey_Ninja]

To bad Edmonton has 5 of him...

[stemit14]

At this point, I think it would be a mistake for team canada not to take him to Sochi... He's been that good and he actually would bring a lot of things to the team that they could use. He's a left-handed shot. He's a great penalty killer and one of the best shot-blockers in the league. He's physical. Has great speed. He consistently wins battles against the best players in the league. He's played on the international ice before. He's a smart player in all 3 zones and has become a clutch player.

Doughty, weber, petrangelo, jaybow, Keith, seabrook, and subban are probably the guys that are at the top of team Canada's list right now. They are all great players and I'm not sure whose spot he should take but it would probably have to be seabrook or subban's spot.

[Pliddy]

Selfishly, I hope he does not make team Canada, he's coming off an injury, plays much bigger than he actually is and with all the blocked shots it has to take it's toll. I would rather he heal than fly to Russia and squeeze in so many games in a compressed schedule. He is too damn important to our team, let's keep his awesomness as our little secret

[GirlySports]

very long shot.

after those 7 would be Letang (Righty) and Yandle (lefty). Or if they want experience, Boyle (lefty)

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by Pliddy

Selfishly, I hope he does not make team Canada, he's coming off an injury, plays much bigger than he actually is and with all the blocked shots it has to take it's toll. I would rather he heal than fly to Russia and squeeze in so many games in a compressed schedule. He is too damn important to our team, let's keep his awesomness as our little secret

I'd much rather have a guy from our team in the Olympics and I'm sure Gio would prefer to be there as well. I love the Olympics but they were made more special when Iggy was playing in them especially because he was a key player in both Gold medal games. Gio can be a key player too and I think putting him in a spot like the Olympics would only improve his play and leadership qualities with the Flames. He's a long shot still but you never know, I think he is exactly the kind of Dman team Canada likes though and if he found a way somehow to make the team it would be quite a milestone to reach since stepping into the league as an undrafted largely unknown prospect.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

very long shot.

after those 7 would be Letang (Righty) and Yandle (lefty). Or if they want experience, Boyle (lefty)

Yandle is American. If he was Canadian, I think he would be right up there in the discussion for top 6. He's a very underrated dman. Not too sure about how long Letang will be out for either. Agree that Gio is a longshot though with the others involved in the discussion.

EDIT: Nvm re: Letang, seems he is expected back after the Xmas break. He's not having a great season though.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

very long shot.

after those 7 would be Letang (Righty) and Yandle (lefty). Or if they want experience, Boyle (lefty)

So Canada should take Yandle, an American, to the Olympics?

[Bar-Down]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

very long shot.

after those 7 would be Letang (Righty) and Yandle (lefty). Or if they want experience, Boyle (lefty)

Keith Yandle is American.

Was born in Boston.

[Da_Chief]

Just looking at Canada's most in form dmen right now, Gio can be considered. I still don't think he makes it.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.h...rt=points&pg=1

But Yzerman and Co. put emphasis on RHD and LHD.
Weber, Pietrangelo, Subban, Seabrook, Doughty are all righties.
Keith and JBo are are lefties.

Those 7 will likely be the group in Sochi with one of the Righties switching sides. Otherwise I think Gio has made a very strong case for himself imho.

He is a legitimate top pair dman right now, if we can find someone to play with him like an Ekblad we will look good for a while.

Side note, what a ####ty return for one of top dman we got last year. The sad thing is JBo was playing quite well and Feaster still shat the bed.

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Just looking at Canada's most in form dmen right now, Gio can be considered. I still don't think he makes it.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.h...rt=points&pg=1

But Yzerman and Co. put emphasis on RHD and LHD.
Weber, Pietrangelo, Subban, Seabrook, Doughty are all righties.
Keith and JBo are are lefties.

Those 7 will likely be the group in Sochi with one of the Righties switching sides. Otherwise I think Gio has made a very strong case for himself imho.

He is a legitimate top pair dman right now, if we can find someone to play with him like an Ekblad we will look good for a while.

Side note, what a ####ty return for one of top dman we got last year. The sad thing is JBo was playing quite well and Feaster still shat the bed.

Wow Gio has played at least 10 less games than everyone above him.

edit: and Weber is -10 so he's getting scratched

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

So Canada should take Yandle, an American, to the Olympics?

Originally Posted by Bar-Down

Keith Yandle is American.

Was born in Boston.

Thanks.. well that's one less guy.

I guess Gio could have a chance then. I'd love to see it

[nfotiu]

9-6-4 with him in the lineup. 5-11-2 while he was out.

[TjRhythmic]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

Wow Gio has played at least 10 less games than everyone above him.

edit: and Weber is -10 so he's getting scratched

I think it's pretty cool to see 4 Flames d men in the top 30 in defensive scoring, 2 of which missing a significant amount of time because of injury.

I would like to see Gio make it, as long of a shot it may be.... I think he'd fit in well.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by TjRhythmic

I think it's pretty cool to see 4 Flames d men in the top 30 in defensive scoring, 2 of which missing a significant amount of time because of injury.

I would like to see Gio make it, as long of a shot it may be.... I think he'd fit in well.

Thats Canadians only. Still impressive.