Maple Leafs pick up Giordano and Blackwell at NHL trade deadline
Leafs acquire Toronto-raised Mark Giordano and Colin Blackwell in trade with Seattle Kraken
TORONTO, March 22, 2022 – The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has acquired veteran all-star former Norris Trophy-winning defenceman (and Seattle captain) Mark Giordano along with forward Colin Blackwell from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, a second-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft and a third-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft. As part of the trade, Seattle will retain 50 percent of Giordano’s contract.
Mark Giordano, 38, has recorded 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in 55 games and ranks second in TOI/GP (21:29) with the Kraken this season while serving as the franchise’s first captain. In 1,004 career regular season games with Seattle and Calgary, the Toronto native has registered 532 points (149 goals, 383 assists) while collecting seven points (one goal, six assists) in 23 career Stanley Cup Playoff contests.
It goes without saying that Giordano will deliver even more added leadership as well as experience on the blueline.
Over the course of his 16-year NHL career, Giordano has appeared in three NHL All-Star games (2015, 2016, 2020) and was awarded the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenceman in 2018-19. Giordano has also been honoured with the NHL Foundation Player Award (2015-16) and the NHL’s Mark Messier Leadership Award (2019-20).
Internationally, Giordano has represented Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Championship and the 2007 Spengler Cup.
Colin Blackwell, 28, has registered 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 39 games with the Kraken this season. The Lawrence, MA native has skated in 119 regular season NHL games in four NHL seasons with Seattle, the New York Rangers, and the Nashville Predators, collecting 49 points (23 goals, 26 assists).
On the international stage, Blackwell captured a bronze medal with the United States at the 2021 IIHF World Championships.
Blackwell was originally selected by the San Jose Sharks in the seventh round (194th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft.
SOURCE Toronto Maple Leafs/NHL.com
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