Fantasy Take: Giordano and Blackwell to the Leafs
Ian Gooding
2022-03-20
The Seattle Kraken have traded defenseman Mark Giordano and forward Colin Blackwell to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a second-round pick in 2022, a second-round pick in 2023, and a third-round pick in 2024.
The 38-year-old Giordano was the 2018-19 Norris Trophy winner after posting a career-high 74 points in 78 games. His production has nosedived since then, as he has produced at closer to a 35-45-point pace. The Kraken's first captain, Giordano has received first-unit power-play minutes with the expansion club. However, he did not record a point in his final seven games with Seattle.
The Leafs' recent issues on the blueline have been well-documented, and Giordano should help stabilize the unit with his experience and leadership. With Jake Muzzin's return from injury unknown, Giordano should be leaned upon as a top-4 blueliner. Giordano has been paired for extensive minutes with T.J. Brodie during their time in Calgary, so there's also a natural fit there. Although Giordano also has often been a PP1 d-man, he will more likely fit on the second unit, which could bump Rasmus Sandin out. The Leafs' top unit tends to receive about two-thirds of the power-play minutes, which probably won't help Giordano's production from where it is now.
If your league counts plus/minus, you might be a little happier about this trade. Giordano is a minus-21 with Seattle, although seven Kraken players currently have a plus/minus of minus-20 or lower.
Blackwell has a bit of offensive upside, as he has produced at a 35-40-point pace over the last two seasons between the Rangers and the Kraken. He's more likely a bottom-6 forward, but he might also receive a look on the Leafs' second line with John Tavares and William Nylander because of the recent injury to Ondrej Kase.
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Players this helps, in order: