The NHL season is less than two weeks old and things are already starting to take shape. However, there have been a few surprises, one of which has been the play of Calgary Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie.
Brodie, 24, has been in the NHL for the better part of four seasons, but this could truly be his breakout year. Already pacing NHL blue liners with 7 points, Brodie is looking to improve upon his season high of 31 points, a mark which he set during the 2013-14 campaign.
This early season breakout didn’t shock fellow defenseman, and Calgary captain, Mark Giordano, who stated to the Calgary Sun he isn’t surprised by Brodie’s recent surge in play.
“There’s no beating around it, he’s that good. He’s good defensively, and offensively we all know how well he can skate the puck out to make plays. It seems as the years have gone by, his confidence has gotten better, and this year, it’s really high.”
It’s not just Giordano that’s impressed by Brodie, the Calgary organization believes in him as well. Brodie will sign a five-year $23.35 million extension with the team, further solidifying him as a building block for the team’s future.
It might be early, but T.J. Brodie has already put his name into the Norris Trophy hat. He won’t keep up this current pace, but it’s not out of the question he puts up 40+ points this season, and that’s good enough for Calgary.