Less than 72 hours after the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated, Jason Spezza and Mark Giordano have said they want to be back in the Queen City next year.
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Both veterans could become unrestricted free agents in July.
“I’ve always said that I want to keep playing if I can contribute to our group. This is a conversation that I will have to have with the staff and the coaches. It’s the only place I would play,” Spezza said Tuesday in the Leafs’ season-ending report.
In 2021-22, the 38-year-old center played his third season with Toronto and his 19th season in the National League. He had 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 71 games. Cut from the team for two games during the lost series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Spezza collected one assist in five playoff games.
For his part, Giordano said it “was no secret” that he enjoyed his time with the Maple Leafs. He added that he enjoyed supporting young players and that he still saw himself playing “a few more years”.
The Leafs acquired the 38-year-old defenseman on March 20 from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for two second-round picks and a third-round selection.
In 20 games with the Toronto club, Giordano hit the target twice and was an accomplice to 10 successes for 12 points. He participated in all the confrontations against the “Bolts” in the playoffs.
Recall that the Leafs have again failed in their attempt to cross the first playoff round since the 2003-2004 season.
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