Giordano expected to ace adjustment period with Leafs

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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The Maple Leafs practiced at Ford Performance Centre on Tuesday. 

A big Nicklas Lidstrom fan growing up, Mark Giordano grabbed No. 5 as soon as it became available with the Calgary Flames in 2006. But that number is retired in Toronto in honour of Bill Barilko.

"I found myself looking for the No. 5 water bottle a bunch of times," a smiling Giordano said following his first practice with the Leafs, "but I had to go down the row to 55 ... I haven't been really nervous for a practice in a long time, but I was anxious to get out there today."

Giordano didn't look nervous on the ice. In fact, quite the opposite. 

"I observed him a lot and it was like another day at the office for him," coach Sheldon Keefe said. "He's a pro. I mean, he's not fazed by any of this. He's very comfortable with who he is and what he's done in the league and what he brings to our team."

Mark Giordano hits the ice for the first time as a member of the Leafs pic.twitter.com/8KTULCIbYj

Giordano is still learning the finer points of Toronto's system, but already has a pretty good sense of the recipe for success.  

"As defencemen it's our job to get these forwards on our team the puck," the Toronto native said. "Today I was playing rushes and stuff and there's some super skill and some little subtle plays that they make look easy that aren't easy. It's going to be nice." 

Giordano, 38, will start on the third pair with Timothy Liljegren. Giordano already feels familiar with the 22-year-old rookie. 

"I've watched this team a lot," Giordano pointed out. "The luxury of being out West is you get to watch the early games before you play. He's a great player. There's so many young guys coming in the league with a ton of