Leafs acquire Mark Giordano, Colin Blackwell from Kraken in exchange for three draft picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a huge splash to bolster their blue line and add some forward depth just a day before the NHL’s trade deadline.

Shortly after waiving Kyle Clifford and Petr Mrazek to make cap space, the team announced that they have acquired veteran defenceman Mark Giordano and veteran forward Colin Blackwell from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for a 2022 second-round pick, 2023 second round pick and a third-round pick in 2024.

“To be able to be a part of this going forward and it being my hometown is obviously a huge bonus,” said Giordano.

“But to be able to come to a team that has a real good shot at obviously creating some damage in the playoffs is something I’m really excited about.”

Giordano, who won the Norris Trophy with the Calgary Flames back in 2019, has seen his offensive production drop off a bit over the past couple of years but has great underlying defensive numbers that will help the Leafs tremendously heading into the final stretch.

He has posted six goals, 17 assists and 47 penalty minutes over a span of 55 games with the Kraken this season.