Toronto Maple Leafs: Jake Gardiner Returns To Practice At Dire Time
By Hamilton
Jake Gardiner has been out of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lineup since February 25th with a back injury. Recently, he made his return to practice in hope of playing in the remainder of regular season.
Before the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the Edmonton Oilers game on Feb. 27, the Leafs PR announced via Twitter that star defenseman Jake Gardiner was out week-to-week with a back injury.
The news was met with mixed emotions. Most fans were saddened to hear the news. Gardiner has been a big pillar for the Leafs throughout his eight seasons with the team. He’s been one of the top defensemen for the team, although he’s had major slip-ups.
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That leads to another side of the reactions where people were almost relieved. Gardiner has slip up defensively that have caused Leaf fans to have a beef with the defenseman. For example, a little over a month before Gardiner’s injury, Leaf fans booed the defenseman.
Regardless of if the Leafs fans were in the right or wrong, the team have been open with how badly they want him back. Gardiner made his return to practice on March 29th.
Although he was wearing a no contact jersey, he and his teammates were excited for his return. Fellow defenseman Travis Dermott also returned to practice today after nursing a shoulder injury. He only had positive things to say about his teammate Jake:
"“Jake’s always a guy that’s positive, great guy to have around.”"
Dermott wasn’t the only one happy about Gardiner’s return. Head coach Mike Babcock told the press.
"“We think he is a really good player. He generates offense. He makes unbelievable plays. He is good defensively. We’ve missed him and it was very apparent. When he is ready to play, he is going to play.”"
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Jake Gardiner has been one of the top defenseman for the Maple Leafs for a while now. In his 8 seasons, Gardiner has put up 44 goals and 200 assists in 549 games. Gardiner has played big minutes for the team with an average of 21 per game.
In this season, Gardiner has 2 goals and 27 assists with a +17 rating. Although he has small moments where he slips up defensively, he still makes plays happen and has helped boost this team to where they are now. This season, the team’s overall Corsi For percentage is at a 51.6% but with Jake Gardiner on the ice that percentage improves to 52.3%. Gardiner has also blocked 62 shots and laid out a whopping 60 hits.
The Leaf’s goals against average has changed with Jake Gardiner’s absence. Before his injury the team stood at 2.8 goals against average per game but now that number has jumped a full goal to 3.8 goal average.
Gardiner is the type of defenseman this Leafs team needs heading into playoffs. He’s got the skill and experience this team needs to push them further than the first round.
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His contract is up and he’ll be a free agent this summer. There were talks early in the summer that Gardiner was going to re-sign with the Leafs but there has been no clear indication that those talks have progressed any further. With the season ending quick and a number of players looking to resign with the Leafs, it seems like this can be Gardiner’s final tour with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
All stats via Hockey Reference.com