3 NHL teams that should take a gamble on veteran Mark Giordano 

By Evan Bell

Modified Aug 07, 2024 15:02 GMT

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Forty-year-old defenseman Mark Giordano is currently an unrestricted free agent after playing out his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. As the league's oldest active player, and only player currently over the age of 40, many would expect Giordano to want to hang up his skates.

Instead, after playing in 46 games last season, the fewest of his NHL career since joining the league full-time in 2008, Giordano believes he has a few good years left in him. The question, of course, is where the veteran could potentially land ahead of next season.

While he may no longer be as productive as he once was, averaging nearly a point per game with the Calgary Flames during the 2018-19 season, he has shown that he can still compete at a high level while providing veteran leadership.

Three NHL teams that should take a gamble on veteran Mark Giordano

#1: Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are projected to be the youngest team in the NHL next season with an average age of just 25.5. While it may sound counterintuitive to pair Mark Giordano with a team whose young players need playing time in order to develop, his work ethic and veteran leadership could be a game changer for the team.

Last year, they finished the regular season sixth in the Atlantic Division, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 13th straight season. As the team looks to transition from developing its roster to competing for a Stanley Cup, Giordano could provide a much-needed guiding hand for the Sabres' young core.

#2: Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators, like the Sabres, struggled last season, finishing the year second to last in the Atlantic Division just behind Buffalo. While they have since bolstered their roster with notable names such as Linus Ullmark and David Perron, they still have an incredibly young group of players.

The team is projected to have one of the youngest rosters in the league next season, opening the door for Mark Giordano to provide a veteran leadership role. In addition, given the team's current defensive lines, he would likely have a chance to slot into coach Travis Green's third line as well.

#3: Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks are poised for a big bounce-back year after acquiring Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen. Despite the team having an incredibly young roster, their third defensive line currently features Alec Martinez and TJ Brodie, both of whom are getting up there in age.

With Martinez 36 and Brodie 33, Mark Giordano would be able to split playing time as needed, while also providing a veteran leadership role to the team's young players such as defenseman Artyom Levshunov, who the Blackhawks drafted with their No. 2 overall pick this summer.