Mark Giordano and the Calgary Flames have agreed to a long-term contract extension more than a month before the start of the 2015-2016 NHL Season. The deal is worth $40.5 million for six years with an annual average salary of $6.75 million, as reported by Calgary Herald.

Giordano is now the Flames' highest-paid player on the roster. The captain of the Flames was the leading defenseman with 48 points before he went down with a torn biceps tendon last February 25 against the New Jersey Devils, as per NHL. Out of those 48 points, 37 were assists with 11 goals. He underwent surgery and would be ready for training camp this September. Flames' general manager, Brad Treliving, said via NHL, "In my opinion, if he didn't unfortunately go down with an injury, he's sitting here with a Norris Trophy."

He also praised his captain, saying, "We know what he can do on the ice. For those who are around our team, we know what he does the other 22 hours a day. He's a leader in every sense of this organization. It's a good feeling for us knowing that we've got him signed long-term. Moving forward, he can continue to do what he does, and that is lead this team."

Giordano played for the Flames his entire career and was named the captain in 2013. According to NHL, he has career totals of 66 goals, 179 assists and 466 penalty minutes in 510 regular season games.

The 6'0 defenseman will turn 32 on Oct. 3 and is part of one of the best groups of defensemen, which include Kris Russell, T. J. Brodie, Dennis Wideman and Dougie Hamilton. Along with Giordano, Brodie and Hamilton are signed long-term.

Giordano said to NHL, "People want to say I left money [by not] going into free agency, but the term the team gave me, six years, is really good. I will be 33 when the contract starts and I looked at that."

"And I also look at it and know we have a lot of good up-and-coming players in the coming years, and our organization has to make sure it can take care of that also," he adds.

The deal, according to the Calgary Sun, is cap-friendly for the Flames. Players like Jiri Hudler, Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan are free agents after the season and the deal gives Calgary an opportunity to sign the trio.

The Flames qualified for the playoffs last season, which is their first since 2009. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks in the first round before losing to the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Semifinals.