The Calgary Herald recently reported Flames have apparently taken steps to mend
fences with one of their young defensemen, hoping at the same time bolster
their blueline corps for next season by re-signing Mark Giordano to a new
contract.
Giordano made headlines last summer by spurning the Flames
offer of a two-way contract, opting instead to play the 2007-08 season with
Moscow Dynamo in the Russian Super League. Cap constraints and questions about
Giordano’s ability to stick with the Flames full time last season were behind
the Flames offer, and GM Darryl Sutter reportedly wasn’t pleased over Giordano’s
decisions.
But time and necessity heal all wounds. The Flames need
young, swifter legs on their blueline and they still hold Giordano’s rights, making
his re-signing that much easier.
The Herald reported Giordano will be getting a
three-year, one-way contract, meaning if he’s demoted to the minors his salary
won’t decrease, which was why his rejection of last summer’s two-way deal was a
problem for the young blueliner.
No official word from the Flames yet on the re-signing but
it’s believed it’ll be made official after July 1st, when the 6’, 205
lb Giordano is no longer under contract with his Russian team and becomes a
restricted free agent. A source suggests the deal could be worth $1 million per
season, making Giordano an affordable addition to a Flames team that will again
face a potential cap crunch for next season.
Giordano, 25, showed promise in his first season with the
Flames, with 15 points in 48 games, including 3 powerplay goals and a plus-minus
of +7. He had 13 points in 50 games with Moscow Dynamo last season.
This is going to be a good move by the flames and its about time. Its good to see them go with some youth...lets just hope they can get some more kids into the lineup. They were lacking another offensive puck moving dman, and he should fill the void. Lets hope this spells the end of one of if not all of Eriksson, Hale and Warrener. Hale is a UFA and they should cut ties with him. They might be able to trade Warrener and pick up a draft pick or prospect. As for Eriksson, if they get a half chewed piece of gum for him, they come out on top. Some say that they would be a better team without Aucoin and Sarich, but I think they both played well down the stretch. If they find a way to dump Aucoins salary, it might be good though. All in all, good move by the flames if they get Giordano signed.
This is great news. Night after night this season I commented on the Flames ineptitude getting the puck out of their end. This was their key weakness, resulting in too many turnovers at their own blueline. I really liked Giordano when he was with us and he will be a welcome addition. I never followed his progress overseas. Did he have a good year? I agree with OntarioFlamesFan that a half a chewed piece of gum might be a bit too steep a price for Eriksson.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
