Veteran Mark Giordano reportedly in contact with three Canadian NHL teams about a potential return

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Tom Banks
September 7, 2024 (4:44 PM)

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At 41-years of age, many believed Mark Giordano could hang up his skates, but ahead of the 2024/25 season, it appears he's drawing plenty of interest.

After finishing an injury riddled 2023/24 season, it would not have been shocking to see 40-year old Mark Giordano announce his retirement following just 9 points in 46 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, the former Flames captain who turns 41 before the regular season has made his intentions clear, and he wants to play on in the NHL, and with over 1,100 games of experience, there's always going to be interest in a potential third pairing role.

Now, it has been revealed that Giordano's agent was in contact with three Canadian teams about a potential contract for the upcoming season, with the Oilers, Maple Leafs and his former team the Calgary Flames all involved. Unfortunately for Gio, the Flames, a team he captained and spent 15-years with weren't interested, with former teammate turned General Manager Craig Conroy reportedly not seeing him as a fit.

"It wasn't something that we really pushed hard and it didn't seem like Conroy had much interest in it," Winter said. "I think he missed the mark, I would tell him that. ... What better player do you know than Gio to be a mentor to a bunch of young kids about what it takes to prepare and be an elite NHL player?"

Despite that, both of the other teams are contending for a Stanley Cup in 2024/25, and as his agent points out, Gio is in the perfect spot to help a contender as a depth piece this season.

"He's looking to win. Even Gio doesn't think he has 10 years left, so you want to try and win," Winter said.

It's unclear how much mutual interest there is with the two remaining teams, but with Giordano likely to take a cheaper deal, it makes sense to bring him in, so we will keep a close eye on this story moving forward.

Source: Blade of Steel
Mark Giordano's agent reportedly spoke to 3 Canadian teams about contract for 2024-25