“Giordano’s Resilience: Leafs’ Defensive Maestro Ready to Roar Back After Thumb Injury Timeout! 🏒🔥 #GiordanoReturns #LeafsStrong”

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano recently spoke about his injury after blocking a shot by Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad on Nov. 28. Expressing frustration, Giordano mentioned that despite feeling physically good, the broken thumb kept him off the ice. However, he highlighted the silver lining of using the time to rest and recover in the middle of the season.

In his first media availability since the injury, Giordano revealed that he knew right away when he looked at his hand that something was off. Despite the setback, the 40-year-old defenseman expressed optimism about returning to the lineup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.

Giordano’s experience and leadership were emphasized by coach Sheldon Keefe, who praised his ability to move the puck efficiently in all three zones. The defenseman’s return is expected to bring stability to the Leafs’ blue line after he missed the past 12 games.

During Thursday’s practice, Giordano was paired with Timothy Liljegren, signaling a potential return to the regular lineup. Keefe acknowledged the contributions of Simon Benoit and William Lagesson, who filled in during Giordano’s absence due to injuries to other defensemen.

Giordano, known as the NHL’s career leader in blocked shots, is eager to get back on the ice. Reflecting on the injury, he noted that it’s often the softer shots that catch players off guard, citing a previous experience where a seemingly harmless shot resulted in a broken ankle.

The article underscores Giordano’s significance to the Leafs, not just defensively but also in his ability to contribute to puck movement—an aspect that has posed challenges for the team at times. As the veteran defenseman gears up for his return, the Leafs anticipate benefiting from his on-ice presence and valuable attributes.