As the NHL’s 2024-25 season draws closer, veteran and now-former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano remains unsigned, prompting speculation about the next chapter for the Toronto native.
In late June, Giordano affirmed his commitment to continue his professional hockey career next season. His agent, Rich Winter, told Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star, “Mark has made the decision that he’s playing for a few more years. He feels very confident. He’s been talking to a lot of people who tell him: Don’t quit until they make you.”
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At 40 years old, Giordano’s days of signing long-term, lucrative contracts are behind him. However, his desire to continue playing for a “few more years” indicates he still has the passion and drive to contribute on the ice.
“He clearly wants to play,” said Winter.
Related: Report: Mark Giordano Has ‘Made The Decision That He’s Playing For A Few More Years’ Despite Uncertain Future With Maple Leafs
What About a Return to the Maple Leafs?
The Leafs acquired Giordano and Colin Blackwell in March of 2022 in a trade with the Seattle Kraken, which included two second-round picks (2022, 2023) and a third-round selection in 2024. The Kraken retained 50 per cent of Giordano’s $6.75 million contract for the 2021-22 season before he would eventually re-sign with the Leafs on a two-year $1.6 million deal with an $800,000 annual cap hit.
That deal has since expired at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.
Related: Mark Giordano Would ‘Much Rather Play In A City That Cares’, Thrives Under Pressure for Hometown Maple Leafs
As free agency began, the Leafs had five blueliners entering free agency as unrestricted free agents: Giordano, Joel Edmundson, Ilya Lybushkin, T.J. Brodie, and John Klingberg. Of these, Edmundson signed a four-year, $15.4 million deal with the Los Angeles Kings; Lyubushkin, a three-year, $9.75 million contract with the Dallas Stars; and Brodie, a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Klingberg and Giordano remain unsigned.
Of the names listed, all of them signed outside of Toronto or remain unsigned – and that’s telling.
The Leafs opted to head in a different direction defensively making a couple of big splashes on July 1. The club signed 34-year-old Chris Tanev to a six-year, $27 million contract and 33-year-old Oliver Ekman Larsson to a four-year, $14 million contract. Though not confirmed yet, the Leafs also reportedly signed Finnish defenseman Jani Hakanpaa to a two-year, $3 million deal.
Related: Why the Maple Leafs Signed Defenseman Chris Tanev to Six-Year, $27 Million Contract
It’s safe to say that the club’s backend has been restructured and given a makeover. Overall, the Leafs already have seven rostered defensemen under contract for 2024-25.
Morgan Rielly
Chris Tanev
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Timothy Liljegren
Jake McCabe
Simon Benoit
Conor Timmins
Additionally, the club has ten non-rostered, who are not on the NHL roster but are still under contract with the team, some potentially waiting in the wings.
Ben Danford
Cade Webber
Topi Niemela
Mikko Kokkonen
Noah Chadwick
William Villeneuve
Dakota Mermis
Philippe Myers
Nicolas Mattinen
Marshall Rifai
On top of this, the Leafs currently only have a projected $1,275,333 of available cap space according to PuckPedia.com, still with a need to address their forward lineup and contract uncertainties like Hakanpaa and restricted free agent Nick Robertson.
Therefore, the chances of Giordano returning to Toronto are slim and difficult to envision. Still, that’s not to say he couldn’t be a valuable addition for other organizations.
Potential Fit for Other NHL Teams
With over 1,100 games of experience under his belt, and a proven leader as the captain of two NHL franchises (Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken), he brings a boatload of maturity and knowledge that could prove to be invaluable.
He has accumulated 588 points combined across regular and postseason play over his 18-year career, still eagerly chasing after the elusive Stanley Cup. Among his most commendable achievements, the veteran defenseman won the Norris Trophy in 2018-19 as a 35-year-old, producing 17 goals, 57 assists, and a league-best plus-39 rating in 78 games with the Flames.
Giordano also became the all-time shots blocked leader (2,045 at the time) in February of 2023, the most since the stat was officially tracked in 2005-06.
Related: Maple Leafs’ Mark Giordano Becomes The NHL’s All-Time Blocked Shots Leader (Since ’05-’06)
His experience and leadership make him an attractive option for contending teams looking to add depth and a seasoned presence to their blueline. Alternatively, he could serve as a valuable mentor on rebuilding teams with a young core, providing guidance both on and off the ice.
One potential path for Giordano could be signing a Professional Tryout Agreement (PTO), which means he would train and skate with the team during the preseason in hopes of earning a standard contract. Over the course of the agreement, Giordano would likely join the team for training camp and allow the team to assess if he’s a good fit for the roster – essentially a trial period without having to provide a full contract upfront.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Calgary Flames in 2004, he’s consistently overcome adversity throughout his career, something he may be tasked with once more as he approaches age 41. In 46 games in the 2023-24 season with the Leafs, Giordano scored three goals and six assists for nine total points, while adding 51 hits and a plus-10 rating.
Giordano’s intentions are clear, but it remains to be seen if an NHL team will take a chance on the veteran defenseman to help him continue his career.
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