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NHL free agency: 5 teams who should sign Jake Gardiner

By Dave Stevenson

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 21: Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Jake Gardiner (51) in warmups prior to the regular season NHL game between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs on February 21, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 21: Toronto Maple Leafs Defenceman Jake Gardiner (51) in warmups prior to the regular season NHL game between the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs on February 21, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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4. Minnesota Wild

Jake Gardiner is from Minnesota. If he wants to return home, the Minnesota Wild are his best option. The Minnetonka native would probably at least consider returning to his home state for the right price.

According to Pierre McGuire, he expects the Wild to pursue Gardiner. Granted, he also mentioned the Chicago Blackhawks. They were probably in the running before they traded for Olli Maatta. Now that their left side of the defense is full, they probably aren’t going to sign him.

If the Wild decide to move on from Jonas Brodin, who has two years left on his deal, Gardiner would make sense for the Wild. Ryan Suter would gobble up most of the tough minutes for the first years of Gardiner’s deal. Gardiner could also take on some of the tough minutes himself, easing the burden on Suter.

Of course, nobody really knows what the heck the Wild are doing. Why are they trying to trade Jason Zucker when it’s painfully obvious they won’t be able to get a good return for him? What were they thinking with the Nino Niederreiter trade? Why are they even considering signing Gardiner if they aren’t a contender?

But maybe the Wild can throw enough money at Gardiner that he’ll decide to return home.

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