{"id":709,"date":"2022-12-05T20:25:03","date_gmt":"2022-12-05T20:25:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/?p=709"},"modified":"2022-12-05T20:25:03","modified_gmt":"2022-12-05T20:25:03","slug":"mark-giordanos-play-has-helped-save-the-maple-leafs-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/05\/mark-giordanos-play-has-helped-save-the-maple-leafs-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Giordano’s Play Has Helped Save the Maple Leafs’ Season"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Toronto Maple Leafs\u2019 defence has been tested this regular season. However, it has weathered the storm. During the first quarter of the regular season, four of the top seven defensemen were injured. None of the four have returned yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, the team is not only surviving but it is playing well. The Maple Leafs are 7-0-3 in their last 10 games. They had an incredible November – especially given the injuries to the defence but also the goalies. It was the best in team history with 25 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If nothing, the team is resilient. In this post, I want to share thoughts about Mark Giordano. For my money, he’s the key to this team\u2019s defence and the biggest impact on the team moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: THE GOOD, THE BAD, & UGLY IN THE MAPLE LEAFS OT LOSS TO LIGHTNING<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a Pickup Mark Giordano Has Been<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When Mark Giordano was traded to the team at last season\u2019s trade deadline, it made sense. There wasn\u2019t much certainty about Jake Muzzin\u2018s status or his future. This season, there\u2019s more certainty. However, that certainty doesn\u2019t come with good news. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Jake Muzzin, Maple Leafs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Muzzin\u2019s injuries have persisted and he\u2019s out for an extended length of time. He might not return this season or even next season.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, after last season, Giordano wanted to stay with the team. He re-signed on a team-friendly $800,000 contract. Even better, Giordano has played amazingly good hockey. I can\u2019t imagine how the team would have weathered its injury situation without him.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giordano Has Been a Solid Contributor to The Maple Leafs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having Giordano on the team has helped the team in a myriad of ways. He\u2019s a steady and reliable mentor. Having such a strong veteran defenseman (and a strong presence in the locker room) like Giordano who is signed at such a small salary-cap hit is like finding the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only did Giordano\u2019s signing answer some of the defensive issues Muzzin\u2019s absence created, but it helped throughout the organization (and throughout the NHL). It matters that Giordano wants to be in Toronto and everyone knows it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: Grading the Maple Leafs\u2019 Matthews, Marner & Murray<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Reader Comments on Giordano’s Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a reader from The Hockey Writers WJ BIG noted, Giordano \u201chas been a Godsend.\u201d The reader believed that Giordano had taken up the reins from Jason Spezza as an NHL veteran star \u201cwho wants to finish his career with his hometown team, and can still provide some quality hockey and a lot of leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He played another 25 minutes in Tampa.

Expected goals were almost 80 percent.

It\u2019s not just his age.

Mark Giordano is giving the Leafs more than their money\u2019s worth: https:\/\/t.co\/D0L7ZN1RvO<\/a><\/p>— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) December 4, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>