DEAL DONE: Panthers confirm a deal with Star Defenseman
With the initial phase of free agency complete and most top-tier free agents signed, only a few valuable players remain available for deals this off-season.
NHL analyst Steve Silverman believes the reigning champions, the Florida Panthers, can address some of their roster needs by signing former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano.
Despite Giordano turning 41 in October, he just entered free agency on July 1 and intends to continue playing for at least another year. In an article for Clutch Points, Silverman suggested the Panthers consider signing the veteran.
“One of the players [Florida Panthers GM Barry] Zito must consider is defenseman Mark Giordano,” Silverman wrote. “Giordano is a seasoned veteran with 18 years in the NHL, having played for the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Seattle Kraken. At 40, Giordano is no longer in his prime, but he understands the position well and can still play a tough, physical game. With his extensive career experience, he would be a solid addition to a strong team like the Panthers.
“There are other players Zito can consider before the start of training camp, but Giordano understands the nuances of winning hockey and would be a solid free agent acquisition.”
Giordano played 46 games for the Leafs in the 2023-24 season, scoring 3 goals and assisting on 6 others for a total of 9 points during his age-40 season.
Panthers Won the Stanley Cup But Lost Key Performers
The Panthers had a remarkable 2023 season, defeating the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Carolina Hurricanes before falling short of winning the Stanley Cup against the Vegas Golden Knights in the finals.
A year later, the Panthers finally hoisted the Stanley Cup, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 and overcoming the challenges that had eluded them the previous year.
Signed. Stitched. Delivered. 🪡@MontourBrandon & @CStephenson22 jerseys available now → https://t.co/KSeNxT1OlI pic.twitter.com/66ib3mdVdK
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) July 6, 2024
However, the Panthers inevitably suffered some losses in free agency due to the NHL’s hard-cap constraints. General manager Bill Zito and coach Paul Maurice will have to manage without two of their best defensemen next year, including Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Two-way defenseman Montour signed with the Seattle Kraken. Ekman-Larsson, who had a bounceback season in Florida, signed with the Maple Leafs after previously playing for the Arizona Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks before joining the Panthers.
OEL ➡️ TOR
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 1, 2024
As of mid-July, the Panthers face financial constraints with slightly over $87 million committed to next season’s roster with 22 of 23 players signed.
According to PuckPedia, the Panthers have around $766,000 left in cap space. This might be enough to sign Mark Giordano to a veteran minimum-salary deal during the remainder of the offseason.
Maple Leafs’ Mark Giordano Wants to Extend His Career
Giordano’s agent, Ritchie Winter, spoke to Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star right before free agency started on July 1 and confirmed Giordano’s plans to keep playing hockey next season.
“Mark has made the decision that he’s playing for a few more years,” Winter said. “He feels very confident. He’s been talking to a lot of people who tell him: Don’t quit until they make you… He clearly wants to play.”
Giordano entered free agency on July 1 after completing a two-year, $1.6 million deal signed with Toronto in 2022.
The 40-year-old defenseman began his NHL career as an undrafted free agent, debuting with the Calgary Flames in the 2005-06 season and has appeared in 1,148 regular-season games. Giordano has played for the Flames, Kraken, and, most recently, the Maple Leafs.
During his three-year stint in his native Toronto, he played 144 games, scoring 9 goals and assisting on 36 for a total of 45 points. Giordano is a one-time All-Star and also won the 2020 Mark Messier Leadership Award.