Breaking: Babcock issues injury update on Dermott and Gardiner

In case you missed it, injured Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Jake Gardiner has rejoined the team for practice this morning, albeit wearing a red “no-contact” jersey.

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Suffice it to say, this is great news for a team that’s struggled mightily in Gardiner’s absence. Gardiner has been out nearly a month with a back injury but appears to be nearing a return to action.

“He’s moving really well,” said fellow injured blueliner Travis Dermott. “I’ve seen him progress exponentially.”

No official update on Gardiner or Dermott’s injury status, but head coach Mike Babcock is hopeful to get AT LEAST Dermott back for Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

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Mike Babcock said the plan is to get Travis Dermott back in on Saturday in Ottawa.

Said the timeline on Jake Gardiner is more murky, but Gardiner said he’s feeling good and ideally you want to get him back in before the end of the regular season.

Again, suffice it to say that this is great news. The Leafs have just five games left on the regular season schedule as they prepare for a tough first round playoff series against the Boston Bruins.