The NHL Network recently started a mini-series where they rank the top players at each position in the NHL right now.
Up first were the forwards and Johnny Gaudreau was deservedly recognized in their top-20.
The NHL Network wasn't so kind to Calgary Flames' players in their defense rankings, though.
Neither Mark Giordano, who was the Norris favorite prior to going down with an injury a couple years back, nor T.J. Brodie cracked the NHL Network's top-20.
NHL Network's Top 20 Defensemen right now pic.twitter.com/4iXvlWndgf
— Evgeni Malkin's Ego (@EvgeniMaIkinEgo) August 14, 2016
I think both Giordano and Brodie should have made the list but the latter has been long underrated so I didn't necessarily expect to see him. Giordano being omitted is pretty inexcusable, though.
Giordano plays big minutes against top competition, drives possession and has averaged 60 points per 82 games played over the last three seasons. How that kind of production doesn't warrant a top-20 spot is beyond me.
I know their list isn't the be all and end all but it's pretty surprising, to put it nicely, that a network focused solely on following hockey could be so...off.
Recent posts: NHL Network ranks Gaudreau among top-20 forwards