Leafs to bring back Gardiner!

While the free-agency frenzy has been underway for over a week now, things have been quiet around UFA Jake Gardiner, who has yet to pick his new destination for the 2019-20 season. 

You know in movies when things get too quiet, it’s because something big is coming around the corner, something scary. Here I am thinking about this scene... 

You know what I mean... 

That might very will be for Toronto Maple Leafs fans as Justin Cuthbert of Yahoo Sports revealed that the Canadian team might be considering bringing back Gardiner at a reduced rate. It’s assumed the veteran blue liner, who spent his entire career so far in TO, could accept less than market value to return with the Leafs. 

Given the ongoing uncertainty over Mitch Marner’s new contract as the RFA has yet to ink a new deal, Cuthbert feels the Leafs would have to shed salary via trade to sign Gardiner to a less-expensive contract.

Gardiner, who had gotten the interest of the Vancouver Canucks before they chose to sign Tyler Myers, could have priced himself out of range of cap-strapped teams, like the Winnipeg Jets, that could benefit from his services. However, it seems like he could be more forgiving to the Maple Leafs and a smaller offer in the end… 

We must keep an eye on this!