Jake Gardiner News
Gardiner has been banged up this season but has been a healthy scratch recently. With a couple of defensemen resting on Monday, he'll be back in the lineup and could be on PP1, to replace Dougie Hamilton.
Gardiner returned to the Hurricanes lineup on Sunday but will come back out on Tuesday due to a back injury. Look for Jake Bean to draw back into the lineup to replace him on the third pairing and second power-play unit.
Gardiner was a healthy scratch for the last three games but will draw back into the lineup Wednesday in Tampa Bay. Gardiner has seven assists in 15 games this season and will likely replace Haydn Fleury or Jake Bean.
Gardiner had to sit and wait a long time as a free agent but finally got signed on Friday. Gardiner spent eight seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs but is coming off of a disappointing 30 points (3G / 27A) in 62 games in 2019. Now the 29-year-old joins Carolina, who already has a loaded blueline, but he could slot onto the second-pair with Brett Pesce and play on the second power-play unit with either Justin Faulk or Dougie Hamilton.
Gardiner has been out since February 25th but is expected to return tonight vs. the Lightning. Gardiner told reporters that he elected not to have surgery on his injured back which allowed him to return right before the playoffs. Gardiner was on-pace for a 40-plus point season before getting hurt, tallying two goals and 27 assists (29 points) in 60 games.
Gardiner missed Friday’s practice and was only on the ice briefly this morning but head coach Mike Babcock expects him to play on Saturday. Justin Holl will also dress for warmups, so consider Gardiner a game-time decision because there’s obviously a little bit of concern.
Gardiner missed Sunday’s game vs. the Coyotes but was on the ice for Wednesday’s morning skate but head coach Mike Babcock was non-committal on him playing tonight. If Gardiner doesn’t play, Travis Dermott will remain on the second power-play unit.
Gardiner took part in the Maple Leafs morning skate but back spasms must have flared up this afternoon. Martin Marincin is expected to replace Gardiner vs. the Coyotes.
Gardiner left the Leafs' game on Wednesday early and missed the morning skate on Friday. Babcock said after practice he expects Gardiner to play tomorrow, but you'll want to monitor the situation after their morning skate tomorrow to be sure.
Gardiner missed the morning skate because of an illness, but as expected, he is on the ice for warmups and will be in the lineup.