Niagara Falls Review e-edition

Giordano’s return about dollars and sense

Free agent defender adds value, but will need to take pay cut

MARK ZWOLINSKI TORONTO STAR

TORONTO Bringing back a defenceman like Mark Giordano would be a slam dunk for many National Hockey League general managers. But Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas faces several hurdles in ensuring the return of the 38-year-old Toronto-born blueliner.

Giordano’s case to be in a Leafs uniform next season started the instant he was dealt by the Seattle Kraken at the trade deadline in February.

Toronto, already on pace for franchise records in wins and points, went 6-1 in Giordano’s first seven games, and 15-5 in his 20 regularseason games with the club.

The Giordano deal, which also brought forward Colin Blackwell to Toronto, might have been the Leafs’ best deadline deal in the past six seasons. Giordano and Ilya Lyubushkin, acquired from Arizona a month earlier, brought stability and grit to a Leafs blue line that had been questioned for its depth and criticized for a perceived softness in its own end.

Giordano, a former Norris Trophy winner, was undeniably in a good spot after starring in Calgary for 14 of the 15 previous seasons.

“Awesome, awesome … being able to play in (Scotiabank Arena) and put on that jersey, it was pretty cool having all that support … from family and friends,” Giordano said this week. “I really enjoyed it, and had a great time here, for sure.”

The Leafs, however, did not advance past the first round of the playoffs despite the glow of their regular-season accomplishments.

And, with Giordano turning 39 in October, there are questions over how long the team might commit to the free agent and whether it can afford him.

According to projection tools on some hockey analytics sites, Giordano could command a two-year deal with an annual cap hit of about $5 million (U.S.).

That would almost certainly price Giordano out of the Leafs’ financial picture for 2022-23, although it’s possible he could take less to play in his hometown with a team that appears to have an open window to a Stanley Cup.

The Leafs probably can’t keep Giordano, even if they sign him below his 2021-22 cap hit of $3.375 million, and goaltender Jack Campbell without discarding another weighty contract.

The club is facing decisions on 10 free agents, six unrestricted, and has about $74 million committed to its roster next season, when the NHL salary cap rises to $82.5 million.

Giordano had 12 points in 20 games, but his value extended to players like Timothy Liljegren, who had his best stretch of play this season while paired with Giordano, and Justin Holl, who similarly experienced an uptick in performance with Giordano.

Giordano’s return would give the Leafs four left-side defencemen — Giordano, Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin and Rasmus Sandin. The Leafs are in a situation where they must play Sandin full time next season, although he could switch to the right side. The young blue-liner has done that in his career, most recently on Feb. 17, when he was paired with Muzzin. (The pairing was the worst in terms of offensive zone time for the Leafs that night.)

Sandin has also played the right side in junior with the Soo Greyhounds, and in the American Hockey League with the Marlies.

The left-right question is one the Leafs could solve easily. The dollars dilemma will be more difficult. There’s no question Giordano feels he can play “another couple of years” and help the Leafs’ young defencemen.

“I feel I can still contribute, and help this team push the needle forward,” Giordano said.

“I always say the moment I feel I’m not contributing in a positive way then I’m not going to keep going. But I feel pretty good about my game, and I feel like I’m a guy who can help the young players along the way,” he added.

“So, (I’ll) keep training hard and hopefully keep playing for a couple more years.”

‘‘ I feel I can still contribute, and help this team push the needle forward. MARK GIORDANO VETERAN DEFENCEMAN

SPORTS

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2022-05-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

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