The commerce
Maple Leafs get: Defenseman Mark Giordano and ahead Colin Blackwell.
Kraken get: Second-round decide in 2022, a second-round decide in 2023, and a third-round decide in 2024.
The grades
Sean Gentille: At some level over the previous few days — possibly the final week as a result of who can inform anymore — Mark Giordano touchdown with the Maple Leafs began feeling inevitable.
Part of that was due to the commerce market itself. Contenders began including defensemen early, some at comical costs, two within the Atlantic Division alone. Part of that was due to the Leafs’ particular wants; Jake Muzzin is out, they usually most likely wanted one other strong left-side choice anyway. And a part of that was as a result of, on a cosmic stage, it simply appeared to suit. The Leafs love themselves a Toronto-Area Old Guy Without a Cup. Maybe two. Maybe three.
And Giordano, to his credit score, matches every portion of the invoice swimmingly. That’s a complete lot of bins to examine, beginning with the truth that he’s nonetheless fairly good. Is he the man who received a Norris Trophy in 2019? No. The decline for him most likely began the next season — however he’s a dependable, no-doubt top-four choice whose defensive impacts are nonetheless greater than robust sufficient to match his rep.
With Muzzin out — and with Morgan Rielly within the midst of an abysmal defensive season — that makes Giordano a no brainer for the Leafs.
