Defenseman Mark Giordano is probably the player most likely to be moved by the Seattle Kraken this year and ahead of the March 21 NHL trade deadline. But, before the team can pull the trigger on a deal, they’ll need to talk to the blueliner about where he’d like to go. With a 19-team modified no-trade list, the veteran d-man and pending UFA will have some say about what’s next for him at the NHL level.
Related: Mark Giordano Has “Unfinished Business” With the Calgary Flames
That conversation is coming, according to Kraken GM Ron Francis. Francis told The Athletic:
“At some point, we will have a conversation and see what he wants to do. I think every situation is different. Mark’s been in this league for a long time. He’s our captain, and the conversation will be had face to face with him. We will see where he is at and what he wants to do.”
Selected by the Kraken in the NHL expansion draft, there was always talk Giordano’s stay in Seattle might be short. He was made the team’s first captain but he wasn’t keen on leaving the Calgary Flames and the Flames did what they could to keep him. With only one year still on his deal, Giordano has earned the right to test free agency this summer and the Kraken have earned to right to see if they can acquire any assets for him before he leaves for nothing.
When asked about selecting Giordano, Francis said, “I don’t regret it for one second. He’s a warrior, a competitor and a good leader on and off the ice. … I don’t think you look at it that way when you make the decision.” Francis admitted that he knew it was possible Giordano might want to move on but also said, “you never know what is going to happen when you get into the season.”
Giordano has scored 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 40 games this season. The might be a market out there for him, but the Kraken will probably need to retain salary in any deal, looking for a trade sweetener in return to do so.
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