Mark Giordano, a defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs, sustained an injury during Thursday’s match against the Arizona Coyotes when he collided with the boards with 9:12 left in the first period and did not return to play. Coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Giordano suffered a head injury but was uncertain about its severity. The incident occurred while Giordano was receiving a pass in a 2-on-1 situation, causing him to slip and fall headfirst into the corner near the Coyotes’ net. He required assistance to leave the ice and immediately headed to the locker room. The score was tied 0-0 at the time of the injury.
For the remainder of the game, the Leafs had to rely on five defensemen, with William Lagesson, Giordano’s usual partner, adapting to various roles. If Giordano is sidelined due to the injury, it will further strain the team’s defensive lineup, which is already missing Timothy Liljegren on a day-to-day basis, Conor Timmins for an extended period, and John Klingberg for the remainder of the season. In such situations, Max Lajoie and Marshal Rifai have been called upon to fill in.
Giordano, who is 40 years old, has recorded one goal, seven points, and 33 penalty minutes in 37 games this season. He previously missed 13 games due to different injuries and five more earlier in the month following his father’s passing. As the oldest active NHL player, Giordano is in the final year of a two-year contract worth $800,000 per season. Despite his on-ice challenges, he continues to provide veteran leadership in the locker room.
Giordano, who captained the Calgary Flames, won the Norris Trophy in 2018-19 after tallying a career-high 74 points in 78 games. Although his performance has declined since then, he has shown glimpses of his former self during his time with Calgary, Seattle, and Toronto.
The Leafs had been performing well recently, entering Thursday’s game with an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 matches. They are scheduled to face the New York Rangers at home on Saturday, followed by games against Boston and the Buffalo Sabres on March 6. Their final game before the March 8 trade deadline will be against Boston on March 7.