Mark Giordano, the little (big-headed, undrafted) defensemen that could (outscore Jeff Friesen in half the games played last year) is as of yet unsigned. And it's starting to make me nervous. Message board rumblings indicate that Gio is entertaining offers from overseas clubs. If true, that is bad news for the Flames.
The rumor is a sensible one because the Flames are up to their eye-balls in NHL defensemen right now:
Regehr
Phaneuf
Aucoin
Sarich
Warrener
Hale
Eriksson
Giordano
The complex rules governing waivers are tough to follow, but I know that none of the vets could be sent down to the farm without being exposed on the waiver-wire. None except for Giordano Im guessing* . Meaning Sutter might well be angling for a 2-way contract, something that Giordano would understandably balk at.
(*may not be true)
Looking at the roster, Im not sure what Sutter's plan is here. Ever since the horrible spate of injuries the Flames experienced during the 03/04 play-off run, Sutter has been very obvious and vocal in his attitude that one can never have too many defensemen right now. That always seemed sensible to me, but...it really looks like the Flames have too many defensemen. There's a chance that Sutter's protecting against potential long-term injuries to the injury-prone (Aucoin and Warrener), but that does little to assuage (my or) Giordano's concerns about sitting in the press-box or playing in the AHL for a majority of the year.
Look, Giordano isn't a big-time difference maker in the overall scheme of things. He is, however, a viable asset the Flames have converted from an undrafted defenseman. He's also the type of player that is a good bet to outperform his next contract (unlike, say, Warrener or Eriksson) and you can never have enough of those guys on a capped roster. He's young, has a knack for scoring, and, according to some anecdotes, is one of the best conditioned guys on the team. It would be a ridiculous waste to lose Giordano to a European club because Sutter failed to give him due priority. At this point, considering contract values and potential, guys like Eriksson and Warrener (and probably even Hale) should be considered more expendable in my view.
Of course, this is all speculation fed by a lack of information. There's also a chance that Sutter and *agent* are simply haggling over minor details and the signing will be announced shortly. Make no mistake, though, I will be thoroughly unimpressed if this all turns out badly...
