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NHL Rumors: Veteran defenseman’s camp in talks with Toronto Maple Leafs & Oilers
Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano won’t be hanging up his skates any time soon. According to Giordano’s agent, the 41-year-old blue liner has drawn interest from several clubs, in particular, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers.
Other teams said to be interested are the Buffalo Sabres and Giordano’s former team the Calgary Flames, for whom he served as captain before leaving to Seattle.
Giordano started the 2021-22 season as captain of the Seattle Kraken before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2022 trade deadline. He played two more seasons in Toronto. Last year, Giordano played 46 games, scoring three goals and notching nine points.
Giordano played predominantly as a third-pairing defenseman for the Leafs, averaging a little over 16 minutes per game. However, the additions of Jake McCabe and the emergence of Simon Benoit pushed Giordano out of the lineup.
This offseason the Leafs added Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Chris Tanev via free agency, pushing Giordano further down the depth chart. While he could get a shot at more playing time in Buffalo or Calgary, Giordano may opt to sign with a contender like the Edmonton Oilers or Toronto Maple Leafs in hopes of capturing his first Stanley Cup ring.
Mark Giordano wants to keep playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs or Edmonton Oilers
Earlier this offseason, Giordano’s agent Rich Winter addressed Giordano’s retirment plans. Sportsnet quoted Winter, stating:
“Mark has made the decision that he’s playing for a new more years.” Winter added, “He feels very confident. He’s been talking to a lot of people who tell him: Don’t quit until they make you.”
As it stands, Giordano isn’t quitting any time soon. Moreover, no one is telling him to leave. The fact that he’s drawn interest from the Maple Leafs and Oilers is a testament to his value as an NHL defenseman even at 41.
“He clearly wants to play,” Winter concluded.
Giordano joined the Calgary Flames as an undrafted player. He made the team in 2005 and didn’t look back. He won the Norris Trophy in 2018-19, racking up 74 points in 78 games with the Flames. The next season, Giordano earned the Mark Messier Leadership Award.
Last season, Giordano hit a significant milestone for a defenseman, becoming the all-time NHL leader in blocked shots. His 2,164 blocked shots in 1,148 career games surpassed the former leader Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s 2,144 blocks.
Ultimately, Giordano hopes to keep playing as long as there are teams interested in giving a chance to hit the ice. It remains to be seen where Giordano lands this upcoming season. But one thing is certain: Giordano seems to be building a compelling case for the Hall of Fame.
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