Maple Leafs Re-Sign Veteran Defenseman

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced they have come to terms on a contract extension with veteran defenseman Mark Giordano. The two-year deal is worth $800,000 per season as 'Gio' takes a home-town discount to finish out his career in Toronto.

🖊 We’ve signed defenceman Mark Giordano to a two-year contract extension. #LeafsForever

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 22, 2022

Giordano was acquired by Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas before this season's trade deadline from the Seattle Kraken, along with forward Colin Blackwell. The Leafs sent three draft picks to the Kraken so it's nice they get more return on their investment for a couple more seasons. Meanwhile Blackwell is set to hit the open market July 13.

Giordano performed well for Toronto down the stretch and even found himself on the first power-play unit during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the regular season the 38-year-old recorded 12 points in 20 games and chipped in with two assists during the seven game series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Giordano has been a great addition for the Maple Leafs and already has made an impact with their young duo of Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren, often times playing along side Liljegren on the team's bottom pair. It's likely he starts next season in that same position as the team is getting crowded on the left side of their blueline with the likes of Giordano, Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin and Sandin.

Keep an eye on the Maple Leafs as securing Giordano for two more seasons at a very reasonable price has given Dubas and company some options for this summer. While to this point no blockbuster changes appear to be on the horizon, that could all change in a blink of an eye.

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