Mark Giordano catches everyone off guard with decision on his future

Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano remains unsigned as the offseason unfolds and everyone is wondering what’s coming next for the 40-year-old blue liner.

As he remains available on the free agent market, fans were reminded on Wednesday that Giordano recently revealed how he plans to continue his professional hockey career next season. His agent Rich Winter had explained how his client plans on playing for more seasons, yes that is plural, with the statement made back in June:

“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.”

Giordano came from the Seattle Kraken in March of 2022 in a trade to Toronto and 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 and the Maple Leafs had to deal with five blue liners entering free agency as unrestricted free agents on July 1st, including Joel Edmundson, Ilya Lybushkin, T.J. Brodie, and John Klingberg on top of Giordano. Of these, Edmundson signed a four-year, $15.4 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings; Lyubushkin, a three-year, $9.75 million deal with the Stars in Dallas; and Brodie, a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. Klingberg and Giordano remain unsigned.

In Toronto, general manager Brad Treliving signed Chris Tanev to a six-year, $27 million contract and 33-year-old Oliver Ekman Larsson to a four-year, $14 million contract, and unfortunately for Giordano, the Maple Leafs already have seven rostered defensemen under contract for 2024-25 in Morgan Reilly, Tanev, Ekman Larsson, Timothy Liljegren, Jake McCabe, Simon Benoit and Conor Timmins.

Giordano was limited to 46 games last season in Toronto, scoring three goals with six assists. In 1,146 games in the NHL spent with the Calgary Flames, Kraken and Maple Leafs, he’s tallied 158 goals and 419 assists. If he’s able to secure a contract for next season, it will be his 19th NHL campaign. His experience and leadership make him an attractive option for contending teams.

According to Giordano, he will get to 20+ seasons in the league thanks to his passion and devotion. But to do so, he needs a contract.