Announcement: Lightning Agree $1.6 Million Deal To Sign Ex-Maple Leafs Defenseman

Giordano became a free agent on July 1 and has yet to sign with a team. The 40-year-old was the oldest player in the NHL last season, but he has said he wants to play in the 2024-25 NHL season.

Although Giordano still has yet to sign, a deal is imminent, Derosa, of The Hockey News, wrote that he’d be a good fit for the Lightning.

It is reasonable to say that the Tampa Bay Lightning could use one more seasoned defensemen after looking at their roster. They are unable to make a significant splash on their blueline at this time due to their cap issue, but they may try to add another bottom-pairing player before the season begins. One player that should catch their eye right away when examining the unsigned free agents is Mark Giordano, according to Derosa’s writing.

“Giordano, forty, is still unsigned and hopes to play professionally in the future. Giordano will probably have to accept a meager one-year contract because free agency began two weeks ago, and the Lightning can provide him with that, Derosa continued.

Derosa believes Giordano can add some more experience to the blueline that saw Mikhail Sergachev get traded away to Utah.

Giordano skated in 46 games with the Maple Leafs last season recording 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points.

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Analyst Details Giordano’s Fit With Lightning

Giordano, a seasoned defenseman who turns 41 in October, yet demonstrated his ability to play in the NHL last season.

Giordano can still be the NHL’s sixth or seventh defenseman, despite not being the Norris Award-winning player that he was in 2019. Giordano can be a reliable defensive back and penalty taker for Tampa Bay, according to Derosa as well.

“Giordano would be an easy choice for the Lightning’s bottom pairing when considering a possible berth in their lineup. The former Norris Trophy winner would also provide them with another player who can hone their penalty-killing skills, according to Derosa.

Tampa Bay’s penalty kill did rank fifth in the NHL last season at 83.3%, but Derosa thinks there still could be some need for improvement by signing Giordano.

Currently, the Lightning have seven defensemen in the NHL, Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Erik Cernak, J.J. Moser, Nick Perbix, Darren Raddysh, and Emil Lilleberg so whether or not Tampa Bay has any interest in Giordano is uncertain.

Former Maple Leafs Giordano Wants to Continue Playing

Speaking with Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star before to July 1st, NHL free agency, Rich Winter, Giordano’s agent, stated that his client intends to return to the game the following season.

Winter told the Toronto Star, “Mark has decided that he’s playing for a few more years.” “He exudes a great sense of confidence. Many of the people he’s spoken to advise him to “keep going until they force you to.” It’s obvious that he wants to play.

Giordano has been a member of the Calgary Flames, Seattle Kraken, and Maple Leafs since the 2005–06 season.