Elliotte Friedman reported that the initial agreement between the Leafs and Giordano would have been for about $1 million annually, but the defenseman decided to lower his cap hit to $800,000 in the hopes that it might help the team. If that's true, it certainly speaks to Giordano putting winning ahead of everything else. Of course, Giordano is in the twilight of his career and he just completed a six-year, $40.5 million contract. He's accomplished a ton in his career, but the one thing he lacks is a championship. He's betting on the idea that he can win one in Toronto.

The deal has an average annual value of $800,000. Giordano had 10 assists, 12 points, 28 shots, 41 blocks and 29 hits in 20 games with Toronto after he was acquired from Seattle. He also had two helpers, 10 shots, 12 blocks and six hits in seven postseason contests. Giordano could have been eligible for unrestricted free agency, but he will stay with his hometown Leafs for a discount cap hit. 

Giordano was elevated to Toronto's top power-play unit on Tuesday and he recorded a helper on a goal by John Tavares in the second period. He didn't have a point in the first four games of the series. Giordano has been credited with six shots, 10 blocks and six hits in five matches this postseason. 

Giordano recorded helpers on goals by Kyle Clifford and Michael Bunting in the second period, goals which were key to getting Toronto back into the thick of competition after they fell behind 3-1 on the scoreboard. His big moment would not come until much later, though, as Giordano would come through with the OT winner against Anton Forsberg three-plus minutes into the extra period. Overall this season, Giordano has styled eight goals and 31 points across 56 games played. The veteran defenseman had gone seven straight games without a goal before coming through in emphatic fashion on Saturday.