Gardiner’s days are coming to an end in Toronto

The Maple Leafs made a splash on Monday, acquiring veteran defenseman Jake Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings in return for forward Carl Grundstrom, the rights to unsigned blue line prospect Sean Durzi and Toronto’s first-round pick in 2019. While Muzzin's acquisition is sure to have an impact on the roster for a long playoff run, it seems like it's impacted one specific player more than the others. 

Muzzin, who is signed through next season at an AAV of $4 million, is going to jump right onto the team’s top pair alongside Morgan Reilly, adding some depth on the blue line with Ron Hainsey moving to the third pair. But what does it mean for Jake Gardiner's future in Toronto? 

The 28-year-old defender is in the final-year of a five-year contract he signed with the Maple Leafs back in July 2014. Gardiner is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and could be too much for Toronto to handle as it's deep in a financial puzzle. While in conversation on Leafs Lunch on TSN 1050 radio in Toronto on Tuesday, NHL insider Darren Dreger alluded to the fact that he believes it might be over for Gardiner in Toronto. 

“I think it was before and it definitely is after (the trade for Muzzin),” said Dreger. “I think the writing is on the wall that Gardiner will be used as an own rental.”

It's been a tough season for Gardiner, who was booed two weeks ago as he made mistakes during the contest against the Colorado Avalanche. Gardiner's teammates were quick to defend him, though we know there's nothing they can say to management and GM Kyle Dubas to have him stay long term in Toronto. 

The Leafs are facing quite the cap crunch with pending extensions to star players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Dreger hinted Gardiner will be in the hunt for a contract that could have an AAV of north than $6 million per season, which the Leafs are not able to afford. 

There just isn't room for Gardiner anymore...