The Calgary Flames have finalized a new contract extension for longtime defenseman and captain Mark Giordano.
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Giordano posted a career-high 48 points in 61 games last season before suffering a torn biceps tendon on February 25 and being sidelined for the remainder of the year after undergoing surgery.
Brad Treliving, the Flames’ GM, is expected to talk about the new deal later on Tuesday. But Giordano, who has made it clear that he loves being part of the Flames, traded dollars for term. Giordano’s new extension doesn’t kick in until 2016-17, so it won’t count against this season’s salary cap ceiling of $71.4 million.
Giordano has been the captain of the Flames since 2013.
Treliving dealt Calgary’s 15th, 42nd and 57th picks in June’s National Hockey League draft to get Hamilton’s rights.
Calgary is taking a risk by signing a 31-year-old for six years, but not as much as you’d first think.
“We have to play that same aggressive style”.
For now, though, the deal is perfectly affordable – even a bargain for the club with Giordano’s recent production – and it puts Calgary one player from wrapping up all the signings they hoped to get done this off-season.
Giordano’s signing may have a domino effect on prominent teammates who also have one year remaining on their respective contracts.
Now Treliving can set his sights on the multitude of other important Flames entering 2015-16 on expiring contracts: Kris Russell, Jiri Hudler, Dennis Wideman, Jonas Hiller, Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Joe Colbourne, David Jones and Kari Ramo.
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-With files from Canadian Press reporter Stephen Whyno.
