Mark Giordano Traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs have gotten in on the trade action as they have acquired defenceman Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell from the Seattle Kraken per Ryan Leslie of Sportsnet. In exchange for a 2022 second-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 third-round pick. Plus the Kraken retain 50 percent of Giordano’s salary.

The #SeaKraken have trade Mark Giordano to the #LeafsForever, per @ryanlesliemedia of @Sportsnet #NHL #NHLTradeDeadline #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/asRqZcZ8Dr

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Mark Giordano On the Move To Toronto

It is no surprise the Toronto Maple Leafs are acquiring a defenceman. Over the last several weeks, this team had not been the same without Jake Muzzin in the lineup. And even when Muzzin returns from another head injury, there is uncertainty on whether he will be able to perform at a high level for the Maple Leafs. This is why general manager Kyle Dubas went out and upgraded his defenceman by adding Mark Giordano.

Giordano had been linked to the Maple Leafs for quite some time now. And even two days before that was the talk around the league. On Hockey Night in Canada’s 32 Thoughts segment, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said the top defensive target for the Maple Leafs was Mark Giordano. However, they were going to have some competition. However, it was just a matter of when the Maple Leafs were going to pull the trigger. Dubas decided that the day before the deadline was a good idea.

The Maple Leafs have always been up against the salary cap. And to accommodate Giordano’s $6.75 million contract, Dubas had to get creative. In order to facilitate this move, the Maple Leafs placed goaltender Petr Mrazek on waivers on Sunday. In addition, the Maple Leafs traded Travis Dermott to the Vancouver Canucks, who requested a trade earlier in the year. That means his $1.5 million cap hit for this year and next is off the books. The Maple Leafs are waiting on the injury news to Ondrej Kase. If it is not the greatest either which means the Maple Leafs may have an extra $1.25 million in cap space to play with if he is placed on LTIR.

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What Does Giordano Bring to Toronto

Though Giordano does not have the greatest of playoff history, he was the captain of the Calgary Flames for a long time. He brings the experience that is necessary to win in the playoffs. And this Maple Leafs team has gone through enough heartbreak in the past, so Giordano fits right in. But his experience comes as a leader and the Maple Leafs could use more of those. Plus Giordano will be motivated to make a deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs playing for a Canadian team.

In addition to his leadership qualities, Giordano can move and possess the puck very well. Not to mention he has a great all-around game. Plus he adds a physical element the Maple Leafs have been lacking in front of their goaltenders. Giordano has six goals and 23 points in 55 games this season with the Kraken.