In the world’s worst kept secret, the Seattle Kraken selected Flames Captain Mark Giordano in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. Giordano was one of 19 players that Calgary left unprotected for Seattle to peruse through. In all honesty, Gio was really the only Flames player left unprotected that would make sense for Seattle and they did not hesitate to take the veteran defenceman.
Not only do the Kraken get an on ice veteran, they also get a veteran leader in Giordano. Since Jarome Iginla was traded in 2013, Giordano has worn the “C” for seven consecutive seasons, the second longest tenure behind Iginla.