"At some point, we will have a conversation and see what he wants to do," Francis told the website in remarks published Wednesday. "I think every situation is different. Mark's been in this league for a long time. He's our captain, and the conversation will be had face to face with him. We will see where he is at and what he wants to do."
Giordano was selected by Seattle in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft and is playing the final season of a six-year contract he signed with the Calgary Flames.
Though he can become an unrestricted free agent after the season, he was named Seattle captain Oct. 11, one day before its first NHL game.
"We assessed things in training camp and that's why you make that decision. I don't regret it for one second," Francis said. "He's a warrior, a competitor and a good leader on and off the ice. … I don't think you look at it that way when you make the decision. It's always a possibility (trade or leaving as a free agent), but you never know what is going to happen when you get into the season."
The 38-year-old Norris Trophy winner could be a target for a Stanley Cup contender that wants a veteran defenseman. His contract reportedly allows for teams he cannot be traded to.
Giordano has scored 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 40 games this season, including seven power-play assists.
Seattle (15-27-4) is last in the eight-team Pacific Division and 18 points out of Stanley Cup Playoff position in the Western Conference.
"My history is to be open and honest," Francis said. "I may have conversations with one player, five players, 10 players. That is the way I like to operate. Whether those conversations are to re-sign or move on, the deadline is March 21 and we have to get there."
Giordano has won one NHL postseason series (2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers against the Winnipeg Jets) and has not scored a playoff goal since April 17, 2007 (22 games).
He was voted the winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman in 2018-19 after he scored an NHL career-high 74 points (17 goals, 57 assists). He scored more than 50 points in one other season (2015-16; 56 points; 21 goals, 35 assists).
Giordano was Flames captain for the final eight of his 15 seasons with Calgary and won the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2019-20. He has scored 527 points (147 goals, 380 assists) in 989 NHL games, and seven points (one goal, six assists) in 23 postseason games.
