Toronto Maple Leafs' Mark Giordano skates during a game against his old team, the Calgary Flames, Jan. 18, 2024. (The Canadian Press Images/Larry MacDougal)
Mark Giordano isn't ready to call it quits just yet.
Ritch Winter, the agent for the 40-year-old defenceman, joined the Eric Francis Hour of Flames Talk on Friday and said he's had discussions with a number of teams but that he and Giordano are still waiting for the right fit.
Some of the teams that Winter said he's talked to about defenceman's services include the Edmonton Oilers and two of Giordano's former teams — the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Winter said Giordano's biggest priority when it comes to his next team is to win a Stanley Cup.
"He's looking to win. Even Gio doesn't think he has 10 years left, so you want to try and win," Winter said.
To do that, Winter said they are either looking to join a rebuilding squad — like the Flames — and then be moved at the deadline, or join an established contender like the Maple Leafs or Oilers.
However, Winter said Flames GM Craig Conroy wasn't super interested in reuniting with Giordano.
"It wasn't something that we really pushed hard and it didn't seem like Conroy had much interest in it," Winter said of Giordano returning to Calgary. "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?"
Giordano began his career with the Flames in 2005 and captained the team for eight seasons from 2013-2021. He won the Norris Trophy in 2018-19 and the Mark Messier Leadership Award the following season.
If the soon-to-be 41-year-old finds a team this upcoming campaign, it would be Giordano's 19th season in the league. He played the last two-and-a-half seasons with his hometown Maple Leafs.
Giordano struggled with injuries last season as he played in just 46 regular season games and recorded three goals and six assists. He also did not see any action in the playoffs this spring as Toronto bowed out in seven games to the Boston Bruins.
