MARK GIORDANO COMING HOME

NHL / Hockey

Written by Joel Lefevre

Kraken captain traded to Toronto, along with Colin Blackwell.

The Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t wait until trade deadline day to land their guy, acquiring veteran defenceman Mark Giordano along with center Colin Blackwell from the Seattle Kraken.

Source (Background Photo): Getty Images Sport

In return, Seattle will receive two second-round draft picks (in 2022 and 2023) and a third-round selection in 2024, while the Kraken will retain 50% of his salary.

The 38-year-old was born in Toronto and will join his third NHL club after spending his entire career with the Calgary Flames before being selected in the expansion draft by Seattle last summer.

Giordano had six goals and 23 points in 55 points as captain of the Kraken in his only season with the club after spending 15 seasons in Calgary, signing as an undrafted free agent.

Giordano won the Norris Trophy with the Flames in the 2018-19 season after recording a career-high 74 points, including 17 goals in 78 games.

The versatile d-man is renowned for his leadership, winning the Mark Messier Leadership award with Calgary in the 2019-20 campaign.

The new Leafs defenceman brings with him a $6.75 annual average value, and he will become an unrestricted free agent in July.

Blackwell scored eight goals and 17 points in 39 games this season with Seattle.

The 28-year-old man who grew up in Massachusetts was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 2011 and has suited up for the Nashville Predators and New York Rangers.

Staying in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators made a move themselves, adding defenceman Travis Hamonic from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a third-round pick.

The 12-year NHL veteran scored three goals and added four assists with Vancouver this season.

It’s being reported that having his former head coach with the Islanders, Jack Capuano as an assistant in Ottawa, played a factor in this deal.

Hamonic was chosen in the second round by the New York Islanders in 2008.

His next game will be his 700th in his NHL career.