Bad news emerges regarding Mark Giordano's NHL career

Following their lack of a new contract during the off-season, Chris Johnston reports that Mark Giordano, John Klingberg, and Kevin Shattenkirk are still looking for a place to start.

The fact that veteran defenseman Mark Giordano is still unsigned as the 2024-25 NHL season begins raises questions about what lies ahead for an illustrious career. Even at 41 years old, he is still one of the league's most resilient defensemen, but with time running out, it will be uncertain if he plays this season. According to offseason reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers were among the teams that were interested in him. It appears unlikely that Giordano will return home, though, as the former of those suitors abruptly ended talks, and the latter is purportedly looking to trade Timothy Liljegren.

But according to Adam Proteau of The Hockey News, Giordano is a player worth taking notice of. He wrote, "Giordano continues his patient waiting period for the right time in history. He is resilient and a natural leader." Giordano's career, which the Calgary Flames helped launch in 2005, has been nothing short of extraordinary. In addition to winning the Norris Trophy in 2019 and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2020, he captained the Flames for eight seasons. He has since played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Seattle Kraken. Every locker room he has been in has valued him as a leader and presence.

Giordano will be an excellent addition to any team if they take a chance on him, as Proteau effectively emphasizes, even if he only plays 15 to 20 minutes per game. He understands what the NHL expects of him at his age and has always put the needs of the team first.

In 1,148 NHL games, the seasoned Calgary Flames defenseman has 158 goals and 577 points. In 2019, while serving as the Flames' captain, he took home the Norris Trophy. He was chosen by the Seattle Kraken in their expansion draft two years later, and he captained the team for 55 games before being dealt to the Maple Leafs in 2022 during the trade deadline.

Mark Giordano had a sporadic season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, appearing in 46 games and scoring three goals and nine points. He did not participate in any of the seven Leafs playoff games. This past season, he was the oldest player in the league.

The final question is: who will be willing to take a chance for one of the league's most reputable blueliners as rosters continue to take shape? Whoever it is, Giordano has already solidified his reputation as a rival as well as a leader.