Mark Giordano's agent pitched a comeback to Calgary and a transition into management, which the Flames essentially shot down.
The Calgary Flames were among four teams said to have spoken to agent Rich Winter about bringing Mark Giordano in this season. But, unlike the other teams that potentially have an interest, it was said that GM Craig Conroy essentially shot down the idea.
Winter joined Pat Steinberg and Eric Francis on Sportsnet 960 The Fan and said he pitched a romantic idea of Giordano coming back to the Flames, mentoring the young kids, and then potentially moving into a management role. From the sounds of things, Conroy didn't go for that idea either.
According to Winter:
-"My pitch to them was 'Look, I really think the Calgary Flames started to fall apart when Brad Treliving refused to protect his captain.'"
He was referring to the Flames choosing to let Giordano go in the NHL Expansion draft, where the Seattle Kraken took him for a season.
Winter added that the loss of Giordano to the Kraken was significant and the room changed after he left. He said, "No one seemed to have the same focus as they did when Gio was around."
Winter believes that Giordano can not only still play, but that he can offer leadership and mentorship at a time the Flames could use it.
Winter Tried To Sell The Idea Of Giordano Transitioning Into a Management Role
Winter tried to sell the romantic idea that Giordano coming back, mentoring the kids, and then maybe making the transition into management. By then, he would have built a relationship with the players and a vast knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses. Not only that, but it could be an ideal opportunity for them to reunite the three captains Conroy, Jarome Iginla, and Giordano.
He noted, "That’s exciting, and I think it would say something about Calgary." Then he said, "It wasn’t something that we really pushed hard and it didn’t seem that Craig Conroy had much interest in it."
It's not clear why Conroy seems so against the idea of Giordano coming back or if he's ruled out working with the former Flames' defenseman after he retires. All that is known, for now, is that a return to Calgary seems like a long shot.