Report: Mark Giordano in Talks With 4 Teams, inc. Maple Leafs

At the age of 40 last season, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano was the oldest player in the NHL. The free agent blueliner aims to be the oldest once again in 2024-25, hoping to play in his age-41 season, and for "a few more years" as noted earlier this summer. His agent says he's been in talks with four teams.

The Maple Leafs, as well as the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Buffalo Sabres, are among the teams that have spoken with Mark Giordano’s camp this offseason, per his agent Ritch Winter. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/3Kh9jOXCZb
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) September 7, 2024

The Maple Leafs, where Giordano has spent the past two and a half seasons, are one of those that his agent Ritch Winter has been engaging with. The others are the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres.

The Flames seem like the long shot of the group at the moment, as Winter admitted that Calgary GM Craig Conroy didn't have much interest in the idea of bringing back the former Flames Norris Trophy winner (2019).

The Oilers' defense is in flux going into this season, with young stud Philip Broberg off to St. Louis on an offer sheet, and Cody Ceci dealt to the San Jose Sharks. Perhaps Giordano can be a nice depth add in Oil Town.

The Sabres' young blueline would also be a good fit where he could bring his wealth of knowledge and help guide them to the next level. Giordano has 18 years of NHL experience, and a career plus/minus rating of +129.

Winter, though, said that Giordano is "holding firm until he finds an opportunity that gives him a high probability of being in the Stanley Cup Final."

The veteran d-man missed a spate of games in December and March due to injuries, but did play in 46 contests for the Leafs, averaging 16:37 of ice time, and registering a +10 rating.