Mark Giordano gets brutally rejected by former team!

Defenseman Mark Giordano remains unsigned as the offseason unfolds and everyone is wondering what’s coming next for the 40-year-old blue liner. In recent reports, it was revealed that four teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Toronto Maple Leafs, have reportedly been in talks with him, according to his agent Rich Winter who spoke about his client’s situation on the Eric Francis Hour of Flames Talk on Sportsnet 960.
However, of those teams, it appears the Flames weren’t interested.

“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?”

That has to hurt the former Flames’ defenseman, who was started his career with Calgary 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.

Giordano may be 41 years old, he would be a great leader for the rebuilding club in Calgary and could even transition into a management role. It feels like a fairytale, and I am all for it.

However, GM Craig Conroy does not look like he’s biting even though the Flames could benefit from added depth on the back end, despite signing Jarred Tinordi to a one-year contract and bringing in Tyson Barrie on a tryout.

The Flames are focused on the future and their former captain does not seem to fit into it…

Last season, Giordano struggled with injuries and played just 46 regular season games and recorded three goals and six assists. He missed the entire postseason as the Maple Leafs were eliminated in seven games in the first round by the Boston Bruins. In 1,146 games in the NHL spent with the Calgary Flames, Kraken and Maple Leafs, he’s tallied 158 goals and 419 assists. If he’s able to secure a contract for next season, it will be his 19th NHL campaign.

“He’s looking to win. Even Gio doesn’t think he has 10 years left, so you want to try and win,” Winter said.

Who is going to give him that chance? Clearly not his former team in Calgary…