Agent: Flames, Oilers, Leafs among teams to talk with Giordano
The Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Buffalo Sabres are among the teams to have spoken with Mark Giordano's camp this offseason, his agent Ritch Winter said Friday on Sportsnet's Flames Talk.
Giordano, who turns 41 in October, was the oldest player in the NHL last season. He tallied nine points in 46 games with the Maple Leafs and played 16:37 per contest.
The veteran defenseman missed 24 games last campaign after sustaining a broken finger in November and a concussion in March.
Giordano wants to play for "a few more years," his agent said in June, but he's yet to find a suitor and remains an unrestricted free agent.
The 2019 Norris Trophy winner is "holding firm until he finds an opportunity that gives him a high probability of being in the Stanley Cup Final," his agent said.
Giordano played his first 15 seasons in Calgary. He captained the Flames from 2013-2021. His agent said he discussed a plan where Giordano would return to the Flames and eventually transition into a management position in Calgary, but he admitted "it didn't seem that (general manager) Craig Conroy had much interest" in the idea.
Toronto hasn't officially signed Jani Hakanpaa amid uncertainty around his health, while the Oilers traded Cody Ceci and unexpectedly lost Philip Broberg to the St. Louis Blues after an offer sheet.
The Sabres boast young talent on the backend, which could make Giordano a fit as a mentor. His agent noted Buffalo is worried Giordano may not be happy playing a minimal role on the ice.
Giordano has accumulated 577 points in 1,148 career contests with the Flames, Seattle Kraken, and Maple Leafs. He's only played 41 total playoff games over 18 seasons and hasn't advanced past the second round.