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It's time to consider demoting Giordano to the third pair

You think its time to demote Giordano?

  • Total voters
    34
super6646

super6646

Registered User
Apr 16, 2018
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Calgary
Defensive Pairs - Natural Stat Trick

Now I get that it is only 8 games in, but I think the Flames need to start thinking this through a little bit. Simply put, Giordano-Andersson have struggled all season. Underwater by virtually every metric right now and its not really close. Its not like that pair is carrying the load either given that Hanifin-Tanev lead the team in ES TOI (in fact Valimaki-Nesterov have only played 2:35 less than Giordano-Andersson in total).

Now I get that Giordano is a warrior and won that norris, and at times my mood has been bipolar towards him, but he's barely top 4 caliber right now without the mismatching style between him and Andersson. I find both are too aggressive in the ozone, yet they also lack the footspeed to effectively defend the cycle and make smart plays under pressure. I get that Valimaki is a rookie and whatnot, but honestly his caliber of play has been better in my eyes overall (and at least at ES he already gets almost the same amount of minutes as Gio already).

Hanifin-Tanev
Valimaki-Andersson
Giordano-Nesterov

I doubt it happens, but I hope Ward at least considers the possibility at some point.

Edit: Ah my god I spelled "role" wrong and can't change it. Its late guys, we all make mistakes (some more than others lol).
Click to read more...
 
Last edited:

User1996

Registered User
Jun 24, 2020
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Worth considering but I would give Hanifin/Tanev first pair duties first, Gio/Andersson second just to bide more time until Valimaki is more adjusted
 
DFF

DFF

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Feb 28, 2002
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Put anderson valimaki together...gio can be with nestorov or whoever


There is no such thing as 1st pair on the Flames
 
Mazatt

Mazatt

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Apr 30, 2019
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I think if Valimaki starts having more games like tonight then this can be considered after a couple losses. Moving Giordano for Valimaki to make rookie mistakes in an elevated role doesn't seem like a good idea, but if/when we get to see that Valimaki is the d-man we all hope he is then we can consider moving things around.
 
Volica

Volica

Papa Shango
May 15, 2012
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BudRobinson53 said:
Tossing unproven kids like Valamaki into the fire, when Gio isn't terrible, is a move straight out of Oilerville. Continue to increase others exposure to big game situations and let Gio naturally fade back, Win-Win
Click to expand...

This.
These things will happen organically as Gio continues to decline and Juuso, among others, continue to grow.

I don’t see Ras and Gio as the top pair regardless; that’s Hanifin and Tanev. Or at least a 1A/1B situation.

Do the people who want Juuso to jump into a top 4 minute role not forget how bad he’s been to start the year? Last night was his best game, but we are just starting to scratch the surface. It’s a very Oilerly thing to do, have him jump the line because he’s young.
 
Kranix

Kranix

Deranged Homer
Jun 27, 2012
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It's nice that Andersson emerged as such a stud right before as Gio entered age-induced decline.
Hanafin acquisition is looking better and better too.
 
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super6646

super6646

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Apr 16, 2018
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Calgary
BudRobinson53 said:
Tossing unproven kids like Valamaki into the fire, when Gio isn't terrible, is a move straight out of Oilerville. Continue to increase others exposure to big game situations and let Gio naturally fade back, Win-Win
Click to expand...

Volica said:
This.
These things will happen organically as Gio continues to decline and Juuso, among others, continue to grow.

I don’t see Ras and Gio as the top pair regardless; that’s Hanifin and Tanev. Or at least a 1A/1B situation.

Do the people who want Juuso to jump into a top 4 minute role not forget how bad he’s been to start the year? Last night was his best game, but we are just starting to scratch the surface. It’s a very Oilerly thing to do, have him jump the line because he’s young.
Click to expand...

I mean I’d normally be inclined to agree, but at least at ES gio isn’t playing significantly more mins a game. Checking hockey reference I believe the difference between vali and gio is a whopping 1 minute/game, with speciality teams making most of the difference.

I don’t think it’s crazy to think valimaki should at least be considered on the pp somewhat soon. If you swap those two on the second unit than valimaki is already the #2 lhd
 
Volica

Volica

Papa Shango
May 15, 2012
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super6646 said:
I mean I’d normally be inclined to agree, but at least at ES gio isn’t playing significantly more mins a game. Checking hockey reference I believe the difference between vali and gio is a whopping 1 minute/game, with speciality teams making most of the difference.

I don’t think it’s crazy to think valimaki should at least be considered on the pp somewhat soon. If you swap those two on the second unit than valimaki is already the #2 lhd
Click to expand...

TOI is not equivalent to what is expected during that TOI.

Giordano is still getting hard assignments, while Valimaki is getting fourth and third line roles. And until yesterday hasn’t been great at that responsibility. I’m all for Juike getting a look on the PP, because i think he’s creative, but I’m 100% against lining him up against Mark
Schiefele tonight.
 
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Mobiandi

Mobiandi

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Jan 17, 2015
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Volica said:
I’m all for Juike getting a look on the PP, because i think he’s creative, but I’m 100% against lining him up against Mark
Schiefele tonight.
Click to expand...
Funny you say this because Valimaki saw a lot of Scheifele tonight
 
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DFF

DFF

Registered User
Feb 28, 2002
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Anybody still want to protect GIO for the expansion?

I have some med for you ;)
 

Body Checker

Registered User
Aug 11, 2005
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He’s lost a step for sure. Surprising how big that step has been. Thankfully he’s such a smart dman. He can still be efficient as a #3-4 guy for another season....maybe.
 
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NinjaTurtle

NinjaTurtle

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Feb 29, 2020
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I think the coaching staff has to be considering it. Giordano has been an incredible part of the team for a long time, but its time to transition the younger guys into larger roles. Am I suggesting Mark gets 12 mins a night and is treated like a scrub? Heck no, but at this point in time he should have his minutes reduced a bit. Let the top 3 of Andersson, Hanifin and Tanev eat the most minutes. Get Ras, Noah and Valimaki PP time. Let Gio be a leader, a guy the younger D can learn from, but don’t expect him to carry the load anymore.

I know others are hesitant to break up Hanifin-Tanev, but with the success Hanifin-Andersson had at the end of last season, I’m intrigued to see what Valimaki-Tanev could do together. Tanev could insulate Juuso’s inexperience and allow him to be more offensive.

Give Kylington a chance on the third pair with Gio. I’d even consider rolling 7 defence if the team wants to keep Nesterov in the lineup. I feel like Dube, Mangiapane, Lindholm, Gaudreau and/or Tkachuk could handle/benefit extra shifts throughout a game.

Hanifin - Andersson
Valimaki - Tanev
Giordano - Kylington/Nesterov
 
Iggys Dome

Iggys Dome

Not allowed to say the “R-Word” (rebuild)
Mar 19, 2018
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Johnny Hoxville said:
Hanifin and Tanev have been elite, you don’t touch that. Put Andersson with Valimaki and let Gio mentor Oliver.
Click to expand...

I actually really like this,

Hanifin-Tanev
Vali-Andersson

These two pairings can split and we can have a 1A 1B type situation.

Then put Gio-Kylington together. But for some reason this organization does not like Kyl.
 
DFF

DFF

Registered User
Feb 28, 2002
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Gio and Nestorov would be great for the tank.

One guy is lost in no man land and the other guy is too slow to recover for him.....
 
Rubi

Rubi

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I wanted to have Tanev as Hanifin's partner before it was cool AND I wanted to leave Gio unprotected in the upcoming expansion draft and protect Tanev instead. :naughty:
 
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