Giordano will be joining his hometown team to try and help them win the Stanley Cup for their first time since 1967. The 38-year old defenseman adds leadership to a core team that has failed to win a playoff series in multiple attempts.
Toronto sent two second-round picks in 2022, 2023 and a third rounder in 2024 to Seattle in exchange for Giordano (forward Colin Blackwell) and Giordano. To make the cap math work, half of Giordano’s salary was retained by the expansion Kraken.
For defenseman Travis Dermott, the Leafs also purchased a third-rounder from Vancouver in this summer’s draft. Travis Hamonic, a Canucks third-rounder in the draft for Dermott, was sent to Ottawa by the Canucks for a different 2022 selection.
Toronto was able to acquire a well-respected veteran in Giordano, without having to give up a first round pick like division rivals Boston and Florida.
Ron Francis, Kraken general manager, stated that he was the first captain of the organization and had a lasting and immediate impact on the ice. He is a consummate professional and we are grateful for his leadership in helping to create a culture.
Giordano, who recently played his 1,000th NHL match, has only participated in 23 playoff games in 16 NHL seasons. With the Maple Leafs putting pressure on them to win, his 24th game could be one of the most watched in recent history.
It could be against the back-toback defending champion Lightning. For a sixth-round draft pick this summer, the Panthers purchased defenseman Robert Hagg from Buffalo Sabres.
Florida, the Eastern Conference leader, already traded for Philadelphia captain Claude Giroux as well as Montreal defenseman Ben Chiarot. The Panthers may place Aaron Ekblad, who is expected to be out for at least two more weeks, on long-term injured reserve. They can also use the salary cap space as a way to acquire more talent.
Hagg, a 27 year-old Swede with six seasons of NHL experience, is eligible to be an unrestricted, free agent this summer. Bill Zito, Florida general manager, called Hagg “a relentless competitor” that adds an element of physicality to the blue line.
Prior to Giordano’s arrival, the Maple Leafs were focused on their goaltending. This has been a problem that has become a significant issue and is likely to be their greatest obstacle in a prolonged playoff run. Harri Sateri, the Olympic gold medal winning Finnish goaltender, was signed by Toronto and Petr Mrazek, the struggling veteran, was placed on waivers.
Sateri, 32 years old, signed a $750,000 pro-rated contract for the remainder of the season. Before he can join Toronto, he must clear waivers. This means that any other league could claim him to disrupt the Leafs’ new plan to solve their goaltending problems.
Marc-Andre Fleury, the current Vezina Trophy-winning goalie is now the best player. It is possible that there could be more depth moves than one before Monday’s deadline at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
Here are some other possible candidates for the job:
MARC-ANDRE FLEURY
Fleury’s fate is more about whether or not he will be traded. He has strong protection under his contract and the Blackhawks have said that they will only trade him if he chooses. It is possible that Fleury does not get traded and he stays in Chicago for the remainder of the season.
In recent weeks, the Washington Capitals asked about Fleury as a goaltender. Fleury, however, doesn’t seem to be keen on helping his former rivals and possibly facing his old team after so many memorable playoff games against them while playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Fleury has helped the Penguins win three times the Cup and he also assisted the Vegas Golden Knights to their final season in 2018. Maybe Fleury could be persuaded by the Maple Leafs to try for their first title in 55 years.
JAKOB CHYCHRUN
It is not common for defensemen aged 23 to sign for three more seasons in order to be available at this time of the year. This one is also complicated by injury. However, Chychrun just finished a season in which his Norris Trophy voting ranking was 10th with the Arizona Coyotes. He would be a top four or top-pairing contributor to a contender who is interested in trying for a few shots at the Cup.
The price of Chychrun could rise even more based on the Bruins selling a first-round selection, two second-rounders, and prospect Urho Varakanainen to Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Hampus Lindholm. They then signed for $52,000,000 over eight years . The Coyotes are yet to embark on a large-scale long-term rebuild and are therefore motivated to save future assets.
PHIL KESSEL
Moving Kessel is an easy trade, given Arizona’s motivation to make trades. The two-time Cup champion in Pittsburgh with Fleury, the veteran winger has had a difficult time producing on one of the league’s worst teams. However, he could do better with better talent.
Kessel was almost a point a game player during the Penguins Cup runs 2016 and 2017. He still has some fuel left at 34.
MAX DOMI
Domi, a pending unrestricted-free agent, could be in his fourth NHL team at the age of 27. The Columbus Blue Jackets could trade Joonas Korpisalo, a pending unrestricted free agent, and Dean Kukan, a defenseman. Domi spent the previous two seasons with them.
Domi, whom the Capitals are interested in, would like Kessel to play with other linemates and have the opportunity to make a long postseason run. In 2020, he has played only 10 playoff games with Montreal.
