Jake Gardiner finally signs a deal in free agency, but for MUCH less than he was asking

Ouch... that doesn't look like 7x7!

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 4 years ago
Jake Gardiner finally signs a deal in free agency, but for MUCH less than he was asking
Zuma Press

In case you missed the news earlier today, the Carolina Hurricanes have signed former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner to a four year contract.

Check it out:



NHL insider Stephen Whyno reports that Gardiner's new deal will pay him just north of $4 million per season.



Wow... just $4.05 million? Wasn't Gardiner reportedly seeking a seven year deal worth as much as $7 million per season? It seems that Gardiner and his agent SERIOUSLY overvalued his services on the open market. So much so that he was forced to sign for almost half of his original demands... and in September, no less. Ouch.

In any case, Gardiner will join a deep Hurricanes blueline that also features Dougie Hamilton, Jaccob Slavin, Justin Faulk and Brett Pesce. Not bad. Not bad at all.

”Jake is a solid veteran blue liner with a proven history of contributing offensively, including on the power play,” said Hurricanes GM Don Waddell in a prepared statement. ”He’s had options this summer, but ultimately decided that Carolina is his best fit, and we’re thrilled to have him here.”

Read below for the official press release announcement of the signing, courtesy of the team's official website:

RALEIGH, NC - Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed defenseman Jake Gardiner to a four-year contract. The deal pays Gardiner an average annual value (AAV) of $4.05 million. 
"Jake is a solid veteran blueliner with a proven history of contributing offensively, including on the power play," said Waddell. "He's had options this summer, but ultimately decided that Carolina is his best fit, and we're thrilled to have him here."
Gardiner, 29, totaled 30 points (3g, 27a) and ranked third among Toronto Maple Leafs defensemen in plus/minus (+19) in 62 regular-season games in 2018-19. The Minnetonka, Minn., native played his 500th NHL game on Oct. 27, 2018, against Winnipeg and registered his 200th NHL assist on Feb. 25, 2019, against the Islanders. Gardiner returned to action on April 4 after missing 18 games with a back injury, and played in all seven games of the Maple Leafs' opening-round loss to the Boston Bruins, earning two assists.
Anaheim's first-round selection, 17th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Gardiner has totaled 45 goals and 200 assists (245 points) and 185 penalty minutes in 551 career NHL regular-season games, all with Toronto. The 6'2", 203-pound defenseman was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team in 2011-12, after leading rookie blueliners with 30 points (7g, 23a). Gardiner established career highs with 47 assists and 52 points during the 2017-18 season, ranking eighth among league defenseman in assists and tied for 15th in points.
Prior to turning professional, Gardiner spent three seasons at the University of Wisconsin, totaling 19 goals and 56 assists (75 points) in 121 collegiate games. He has represented the United States in international play three times, winning gold at the 2010 World Junior Championship and bronze at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.