It was announced today that the Toronto Maple Leafs and defenceman Mark Giordano have agreed on a new deal. The contract is a two-year deal and has an AAV of $800,000. This is a huge move for Toronto and something that was rumoured to happen since they traded for him at the deadline.
Defenceman Mark Giordano Re-Signs
🖊 We’ve signed defenceman Mark Giordano to a two-year contract extension. #LeafsForever
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 22, 2022
The Maple Leafs acquired defenceman Mark Giordano via trade at this year’s NHL Trade Deadline. He came from the Seattle Kraken along with forward Colin Blackwell. Giordano is from Toronto and has said he loved playing at home ever since his return. For Toronto, this contract could provide immense value, much as the past few Jason Spezza deals have looked. Giordano isn’t what his peak self was when he was competing for Norris trophies. However, he is still an incredibly useful defenceman.
Possibly the best thing about Giordano is how he can slide up and down a lineup. Need him to take some time on the first pair? No problem. Have a healthy blueline and want to move him down to a third pair? That works too. Since coming to Toronto, he and Timothy Liljegren looked really good together. You have to think that is a pair that will play together at times next year.
Going Forward
It will be interesting to see what Toronto does with the rest of their blueline. After another first-round loss, fans want change. However, Morgan Rielly just signed a new deal, Jake Muzzin and TJ Brodie both have term left, Rasmus Sandin looks ready for full-time minutes, and Justin Holl is under contract. Mix that in with Giordano and Liljegren and you have a full blueline.
It seems likely someone like Holl will be moved out this offseason but is that considered enough change on the backend? They also have the question of what to do with Ilya Lybushkin, who they also picked up this past deadline. Regardless, Giordano will be with the Leafs for two more seasons. And even though he is getting older, that contract should provide good value.
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