The Maple Leafs expected to talk with Jake Gardiner’s camp
TSN Insider Trading: The Toronto Maple Leafs will have another free agent to deal with this season – defenseman Jake Gardiner. Darren Dreger on what Gardiner might be looking for and if the Maple Leafs would be able to fit him in.
“And when you look at the bigger picture in terms of the cap issues that the Leafs are going to face, just add one more body into that mix. Jake Gardiner is coming off a career year of 52 points.
If he were to equal that or better that this season, he’s going to command as an unrestricted free agent in the high sixes, or the low sevens (in terms of million) so dialogue between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jake Gardiner is expected to get underway in the next several weeks.”
Nichols on Hockey: Darren Dreger was on TSN 1050 and was talking about Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner who will be a free agent after the season and is coming off a 52 point season.
“If he has another year like he has last year point-wise with a career-best 52 – and there’s no reason to think that he can’t, provided he stays healthy, and the power play should click, and everything that he’s a part of in that Top 4 should work in his favor – he’s going to command high 6s, maybe low 7s,” guessed Darren Dreger during a Thursday afternoon Leafs Lunch segment on Toronto’s TSN 1050. “That seems to be the target. Kevin Shattenkirk got four years at 6.65. He was somewhat maligned going into free agency as to whether or not he was even a legit Top 4. I took a lot of heat for suggesting that a lot of teams look at as a 5 guy, a third-pairing.”
Assuming that Erik Karlsson signs an extension with the San Jose Sharks and is off the market, there will be teams interested in Gardiner and he could be looking at more than $7 million a season.
Dreger doesn’t think the Maple Leafs would be able to fit that much in for Gardiner, especially with blueline needing some attention. The Leafs need Igor Ozhiganov or Calle Rosen to step up this season or the trade rumors will start soon. The Leafs could choose to keep Gardiner past the deadline and hope for a deep playoff run.
Dreger when asked if the Leafs could approach Gardiner’s camp now.
“Well, I don’t know it’s a priority, but you have to believe there is going to be some back and forth between the agent and Kyle Dubas in the months ahead. They’ve got enough invested in Jake Gardiner that they’re going to want to at least investigate his interest in avoiding free agency.”
Dreger adds.
“To be frank, I’d be surprised if Jake Gardiner doesn’t go to free agency.”