Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Hours before the expansion draft is set to kick off tonight, the picks have begun rolling in.
According to DailyFaceOff’s Frank Seravalli, the Seattle Kraken will reportedly select defenceman, Mark Giordano from the Calgary Flames tonight, therein adding a former Norris Trophy winner to their blueline from day one.
While Giordano may no longer be among the NHL’s elite as he was when capturing that award back in 2018, he’s still a remarkably productive defenceman, especially when accounting for his age. The 37-year-old is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he racked up 26 points in 56 games, scoring at roughly the same clip he always has, while still producing stellar possession numbers and logging nearly 23 minutes of ice time per night.
Giordano brings versatility to this Kraken roster, as well. With the dual ability to both quarterback the power play and be an effective penalty killer, the Toronto-native can be trusted by Kraken head coach, Dave Hakstol to be used in a variety of situations.
As for the Flames, this is a gutting blow that only seems to increase the odds of a full-blown roster turnover this offseason.
Giordano was a staple in Calgary from the first day of his professional career, signing with the Flames as an undrafted free agent in 2004 and working his way over the next decade-plus to ultimately being named captain. To lose him for nothing, especially given how Giordano only has one year left on his current deal at a reasonable $6.75 million cap hit, should be extremely hard to stomach for Flames fans.
Stay tuned for more picks as they roll in.
