"Ex-Kraken Captain's Future with Maple Leafs Remains Uncertain"

The first captain in Seattle Kraken history, defenseman Mark Giordano, faces uncertainty about his hockey future for the 2024-25 season after being drafted from Calgary in 2021. His milestone 1,000th NHL game was celebrated in a pregame ceremony at Climate Pledge Arena on March 16, 2022, while just days later, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with Colin Blackwell. In exchange, Seattle acquired three draft picks, the final one to be used in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft's 3rd round.

As THN columnist Carol Schram highlights, Giordano's tenure with the Maple Leafs, marked by a two-year contract signed at a notable hometown discount, is nearing its end. His ice time diminished during the 2023-24 season due to injuries, limiting him to 48 regular-season games without playoff appearances. With the defenseman turning 41 in October and facing the possibility of not finding another team this summer, his illustrious career spanning 1,148 games over 18 NHL seasons stands as a remarkable achievement for an undrafted player.

Meanwhile, Kraken owner Samantha Holloway has been a constant presence at significant team events, including Giordano's milestone ceremony and the recent announcement of Dan Bylsma as head coach. Reflecting on her role akin to a tech startup founder, Holloway emphasizes the importance of innovation and adaptation in running the Kraken, exemplified by their pioneering hybrid broadcast-streaming approach to game coverage in partnership with Tegna TV stations and Amazon Prime, a first in the NHL.