"As for the surprising Calgary Flames, nobody – not even their hockey operations department -- had them picked for this type of early season success. It is great to see, all they do is work. Every hockey fan (even any sports fan) should be cheering for them to keep up this pace and make the playoffs."

i was quite surprised when i read this, i was just waiting for the "unfortunately this pace is unsustainable"

Elite?? Really? He's good but certainly nowhere near elite. And he is tradeable.
- TandA4Flames

Don't underestimate his impact in the locker room, lots of the kids look up to him. And, top forward for the team the last two years. Everyone in the league can be traded, but for this team, he should not be. Maybe not top 10 in the league elite, but for this team, he is their best forward.

Don't underestimate his impact in the locker room, lots of the kids look up to him. And, top forward for the team the last two years. Everyone in the league can be traded, but for this team, he should not be. Maybe not top 10 in the league elite, but for this team, he is their best forward.
- FLflames34

I think we all see hudler as a great guy to have around the room and sets a good example on the ice, but if your going to put hudler and elite in the same sentence it should go something like this :

Jiri hudler is a great fit for a rebuilding calgary flames team, but he is not elite.

If you like you can even add in a "not even close"

Don't underestimate his impact in the locker room, lots of the kids look up to him. And, top forward for the team the last two years. Everyone in the league can be traded, but for this team, he should not be. Maybe not top 10 in the league elite, but for this team, he is their best forward.
- FLflames34

Being solid in the locker room doesn't make one elite on th ice. McGratton is apparently great in thd locker room. I dont think anyone is calling him elite except in the ass kicking dept.

Poor choice of words we'll say. Hudler is an important player to this team. That I can agree on. But if a solid offer came in, hes gone because we can afford, easily, to dump a vet or 2.

Being solid in the locker room doesn't make one elite on th ice. McGratton is apparently great in thd locker room. I dont think anyone is calling him elite except in the ass kicking dept.

Poor choice of words we'll say. Hudler is an important player to this team. That I can agree on. But if a solid offer came in, hes gone because we can afford, easily, to dump a vet or 2.
- TandA4Flames

McGratten is Elite. You get that OG???

Being solid in the locker room doesn't make one elite on th ice. McGratton is apparently great in thd locker room. I dont think anyone is calling him elite except in the ass kicking dept.

Poor choice of words we'll say. Hudler is an important player to this team. That I can agree on. But if a solid offer came in, hes gone because we can afford, easily, to dump a vet or 2.
- TandA4Flames

I am ok with this. Perhaps poor choice of words in my part. My point was it is time to consider him part of the new core. Didnt Colborne or Money say he was their mentor?

I am ok with this. Perhaps poor choice of words in my part. My point was it is time to consider him part of the new core. Didnt Colborne or Money say he was their mentor?
- FLflames34

I definitely think he's a core player on the team. He's taken some of the young skilled guys under his wing and has played a part in their development (Gaudreau and Grandlund). He plays a skilled game and it's nice to have someone who those young guys can learn from. Plus he's producing so he's very valuable to the Flames right now.

Starting to see stuff saying the flames should consider trading gio if they fall out of the playoff race to sell high...

I think it was crucial for the flames to keep some key veterans around through this rebuild rather than move everyone out all at once. Even if it meant fewer young players getting into the line-up, when they do get in their growth is that much better from it overall. Hurdler has been a big part of that for sure.

I've been wondering what happens to Grats after this season. Can't see him fitting into the lineup anymore the way this team is heading but he is definitely valuable to have around. Sounds a little crazy but maybe he can become a trainer or something haha.

Starting to see stuff saying the flames should consider trading gio if they fall out of the playoff race to sell high...
- monymonymony

No chance I could see this happening. There's no return they could get back that would make them a better team for it.

No chance I could see this happening. There's no return they could get back that would make them a better team for it.
- MFpopsicles

yes that is true, but i think what they mean is it would make them better 3 or 4 years down the road when they are ready to be a cup contender hopefully

yes that is true, but i think what they mean is it would make them better 3 or 4 years down the road when they are ready to be a cup contender hopefully
- monymonymony

I can understand the thought there, and it would be interesting to see what would be offered. For me though I think I'd still rather have a 35yo Gio still on the team in 4 years than just about anything else. It would have to be an enormous offer. It's just so hard to get top end defencemen, not to mention what culture he adds to this team.

Starting to see stuff saying the flames should consider trading gio if they fall out of the playoff race to sell high...
- monymonymony

Who's saying this ?

Who's saying this ?
- tincup

http://onepuckshort.wordp...ld-flames-trade-giordano/

just saw this article and it made me think a bit

I can understand the thought there, and it would be interesting to see what would be offered. For me though I think I'd still rather have a 35yo Gio still on the team in 4 years than just about anything else. It would have to be an enormous offer. It's just so hard to get top end defencemen, not to mention what culture he adds to this team.
- MFpopsicles

ya that's what i was thinking like if a team came and offered a huge offer for him then i would certainly consider it. Doesn't mean i'd take it, but it would be wrong to not even think about it IMO

McGratten is Elite. You get that OG???
- Mr.Pink

- The-O-G

I see I have to change my avatar

http://onepuckshort.wordpress.com/2014/11/27/should-flames-trade-giordano/

just saw this article and it made me think a bit
- monymonymony