In Defense of Francios Giguere

by Hopfenkopf on Nov 20, 2009 12:20 AM MST

First and foremost, I must say that the man makes a truly outstanding Whopper. Hold the mayo, extra pickles, it really is a thing of beauty and I do believe that he has finally found his true calling and life's work.

I thoroughly enjoyed his artistry whilst watching the Flames statistically dominate a radically inferior Chicago team this evening (at least that's what I read on Matchsticks & Gasoline - aka Self-Immolation; a How To Guide).

But I think that there was something else I was going to mention here...

Oh yes, an attempt to defend Frankie from the slings and arrows of outrageous MHHers who would sully his fine reputation for talent evaluation, cap management and the like. To whit, I offer the following:

Your Hall of Fame Center and all-time Captain - Tyyyyyyyyyyyyylllleeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrr Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrnason!

No, wait...

Your Vezina and Hart Trophy winning - Goaltending Tandem for the Ages - Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeterrr Boooooooooodye and AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaandrewwwwwwwwww Raayyyyycrofft!

Hang on, that might not be it.

OK, here we go:

The Calgary Flames acquired defenseman Jordan Leopold from the Colorado Avalanche for defensemen Lawrence Nycholat and Ryan Wilson and a second-round draft pick in 2009.

So, here's what that looks like now:

Jordan Leoprone - Florida Kittens (ssshhhh - don't mention the PP - you'll scare them!!)

	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	Shots	PtsPG
2009-10 FLORIDA	19	1	5	6	1	12	0	0	0	19	0.32

In exchange for:

Ryan "Big Willie" Wilson - Colorado Snowslides

	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	Shots	PtsPG
2009-10 COLORADO	11	1	3	4	6	9	0	0	0	9	0.36

2009 2nd round pick (49th overall) - who turned out to be, through no fault of our beloved Frankie - one;

Stefan Elliott - Saskatoon Blades / Western Hockey League (Colorado Snowslides)

	Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM
2009-10 Regular Season	Saskatoon Blades	24	8	15	23	21	6

Hmmm, does this make up for trading Tanger to the Flamers for Leoprone and Codey Burki? Well, let's just say that Frankie will now "do it your way" coz he has to - at least if he wants to remain assistant night manager. But he used to march to the beat of his own flutist, or something like that.

Point being, even a self-righteous, self-absorbed half-wit of a GM finds a nut once in a while. And he does make a wicked burger.

Cheers Frankie!

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Comments

Credit must go where credit is due. I was meh on that trade on deadline day, and thought the only worthwhile thing was the 2nd round pick. Wilson surprised me (and I daresay a few Flames execs too) and if he keeps refining his game he could a helluva find. Another trade that never gets mentioned much: Giguere somehow convinced Brian Burke that he should give up a 2nd rounder for George Parros, a guy we snagged off the waiver wire a month ago. Who did we draft with that pick? T.J. Galiardi. He traded Parros for Galiardi. Think about that for a few moments and let that sink in.

I spent more effort eating a pudding than Tyler Arnason skated last year.

by Shoeshiner on Nov 20, 2009 1:55 AM MST reply actions

He had success in the draft too, especially in the D. We have guys like Shattenkirk, Cohen, Gaunce and Elliott to look forward to thanks to him. Taking Shattenkirk and Cohen looks like a genius move to me. You have two guys who have played with each other for so many years already; I salivate over the chemistry they’ll have when they get to the big leagues ~~(until they blow up in my face)~~. I also applaud the signing of Chris Durno, just because you know one day Brian Burke is going to cave to his fans’ wishes and trade Kessel and 5 first round picks for him. (Parros for Galiardi!)

I spent more effort eating a pudding than Tyler Arnason skated last year.

by Shoeshiner on Nov 20, 2009 1:56 AM MST up reply actions

Shattenkirk and Cohen haven’t played a single game yet. To say that FG was successful because he added players to the team that haven’t played a game yet is premature.

Also, i think you are underestimating the value of Parros. Galiardi is awesome, but i wouldn’t be upset if we had Parros. There aren’t many guys in the league that don’t fear Parros.

by San Diego Avs Fan on Nov 22, 2009 1:45 AM MST up reply actions

The point is that Giguere replenished our farm system in defensemen. Of course, there are chances that they all never turn out to be anybody, but the chances of that, I think, is quite low. Shattenkirk and Cohen as a combo, of course, couldalso fail in the NHL, but I think it’s a great idea to draft a pair that has been playing for so long together at the very least.

Parros would be a decent addition to the team right now (over Koci at least), but he was available on waivers just a few weeks before. Burke could’ve had him for nothing. Even after we got him, he was routinely scratched by Q. To trade for a guy who plays 5 mins a game for a second rounder, who turns out to be a guy who is a great penalty killer and has decent offensive potential doesn’t balance out.

I spent more effort eating a pudding than Tyler Arnason skated last year.

by Shoeshiner on Nov 22, 2009 12:50 PM MST up reply actions

Agree

Under FG the Avs got their own AHL club and certainly the farm club is in better shape than before he arrived.

The New Improved Avalanche. Now with Real Coaches!
Jibblescribbits: C'mon over and waste some time

by Jibblescribbits on Nov 23, 2009 11:02 AM MST up reply actions

I'm way late on this

but yes, FG should absolutely be given credit for the work he did with the development system on this team. We have our own AHL club and a future with loads of bright young defensive prospects. He probably won’t ever get another GM job, but his decision-making on draft day should be given its proper credit and if he hadn’t been such an overall failure at improving the NHL club he might’ve been around to reap the potential benefits his draft record will (hopefully) bring.

I thought you knew that algebra was all razzamatazz. A Globetrotter always saves the good algebra for the final minutes.

by A.J. Haefele on Nov 29, 2009 5:05 AM MST up reply actions