Player Page

Jake Gardiner | Defenseman

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Age / DOB:  (22) / 7/4/1990
Ht / Wt:  6'2' / 184
College: Wisconsin
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Jake Gardiner has been one of the best Maple Leaf players the past two games.
He has been outstanding moving the puck out of the Toronto zone with his smooth-skating ability. Gardiner has also been solid defensively taking the Bruin forwards out with efficient positioning and physicality. Gardiner has been rewarded for his fine play with ice time. He led all Toronto skaters with 24:05 minutes of ice time in Game 6. May 11 - 1:28 PM

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Player News

Date:

Coach Randy Carlyle praised the play of Jake Gardiner Friday prior to Game 5 of Toronto's first-round playoff series against Boston.

"I think Jake is moving better than at any time he's moved this year," Carlyle said. "I think his competitiveness on the defensive side of the puck has gone up dramatically from where he was at Christmas when he came back. ... He's elevated his game here in the playoffs – he has an element that every team would like." Gardiner has picked up a point in three straight games since getting back into the lineup. He has a goal and three assists in the first three playoff appearances of his career.
May 10 - 4:55 PM

Jake Gardiner posted two assists and a plus-1 rating in Toronto's overtime loss against Boston Wednesday night.

The 22-year-old blueliner has displayed plenty of mobility, while picking up four points in three playoff games for the Leafs. Gardiner played in just 12 games during the regular season, where he accounted for four assists. He still makes some defensive miscues, but even that part of his game has seen some improvement in the postseason which has led to more ice time from the coaching staff.
May 9 - 1:57 PM

Jake Gardiner scored his first career NHL postseason goal in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins.

Gardiner's goal was also the Maple Leafs' first home playoff goal since 2004 and the tally sent off a raucous celebration inside and outside of the Air Canada Centre. Unfortunately for all of Toronto, the Bruins scored 50 seconds later and again two minutes after that. The Maple Leafs likely need to win Wednesday night to ensure to the series heads back to Toronto for Game 6.
May 6 - 10:58 PM

Jake Gardiner enjoyed a solid game for the Maple Leafs in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Bruins.

Gardiner was a healthy scratch for the series opener, but after the team struggled with its breakout passes it became clear Gardiner's puck handling skills were needed. The slick blue liner shook off a first period giveaway and his calm demeanor while carrying the puck proved invaluable for Toronto. Of all the players inserted into the Maple Leafs' lineup for Game 2, Gardiner has the greatest chance to make a long-term impact on their playoff run.
Source: Toronto Sun
May 5 - 7:33 AM

Look for Jake Gardiner to draw back into the Toronto lineup against the Bruins for Game 2 Saturday night.

With Mike Kostka out with a broken finger and John-Michael Liles being a healthy scratch due to ineffectiveness, Gardiner will suit up and skate with Ryan O'Byrne on the Buds' third defenseman pairing. Feel free to activate him if you need a defenseman in your lineup.
May 4 - 10:57 AM

Jake Gardiner returned to the lineup Saturday in place of John-Michael Liles.

Gardiner was a healthy scratch for five of the Leafs' last six contests but led the Buds with nearly 24 minutes of ice-time in the win over Montreal Saturday night. "I thought Jake Gardiner had one of his better games; he skated, he moved the puck, I didn't think he was a liability defensively, I thought he had a good game," said coach Carlyle. Gardiner is an NHL-level talent who shouldn't be forgotten in fantasy circles for next year's draft. Gardiner was first among NHL rookie blueliners in points last season with 30 in 75 games but still needs work on his defensive game.
Source: TSN.ca
Apr 14 - 11:54 AM

Don't be surprised is Jake Gardiner returns to the Maple Leaf lineup against Montreal Saturday night.

He was a healthy scratch for five of the Buds' last six contests. If Gardiner does play, it may be at the expense of John-Michael Liles who struggled in games this week.
Apr 13 - 12:58 PM

Jake Gardiner returned to the press box in Monday's win over the New York Rangers.

He has watched four of Toronto's past five games as a healthy scratch. "I'm not sure what's going on," Gardiner said Tuesday. "I feel like I can definitely contribute. I'm going to do whatever the team needs to win. I'm just going to try to contribute any way I can." Coach Randy Carlyle still thinks Gardiner is a little too raw in the defensive zone and may not want to have him out there with the Leafs trying to secure a playoff spot. The problem for Gardiner is that he can't be sent down without having to pass through waivers and he would certainly be claimed by another team if that happened. He's still a very good fantasy prospect, but it doesn't look he'll have much value for the remainder of the year.
Apr 10 - 12:05 PM

Jake Gardiner returned to the lineup Saturday night following a three-game stint in the press box.

Gardiner is an NHL-level talent who shouldn't be forgotten in fantasy circles for next year's draft. Gardiner was first among NHL rookie blueliners in points last season with 30 in 75 games.
Source: TSN.ca
Apr 7 - 11:08 AM

Jake Gardiner found himself as a healthy scratch Thursday less than 10 days after being recalled from the AHL.

The Leafs' decision to leave Gardiner in the AHL was a hotly debated topic for months before they recalled him last Tuesday, so it's a little surprising that he found himself in the press box already. The smooth-skating defenseman said Friday morning that he got the message from coach Randy Carlyle. "I think Randy wants me to hit guys more, not necessarily hit them I guess, just finish my check," Gardiner said. We'll have to see if he gets to implement that again Saturday night.
Mar 29 - 11:11 AM

Jake Gardiner will suit up for Toronto Wednesday night after being called up from the minors on Tuesday.

He will be paired with John-Micheal Liles against Tampa Bay. "My mindset is to just to play my game and help the Leafs get some wins," he said. "I'm getting a second chance. I have to make sure I help get this team a win." The smooth-skating defenseman should add some mobility to Toronto's back end and he should get some power-play time versus the Lightning.
Mar 20 - 1:15 PM

Toronto Maple Leafs recall Jake Gardiner from AHL Toronto.

It sounds like the pleas of Gardiner's agent finally reached the doors of Dave Nonis. More likely, however, the odds that Nonis simply couldn't leave Gardiner in the AHL anymore. The Minnesota native has 10 goals and 31 points in 43 games with the Marlies this season, which is something the big league club could seriously use on its blue line. Now that he's back in the NHL, we recommend picking up in most leagues.
Mar 19 - 3:59 PM

It sounds like Jake Gardiner won't be called up yet despite his agent, Ben Hankinson, pleas via Twitter.

Hankinson used the hashtag FreeJakeGardiner on Twitter Tuesday night, which started a stir. Gardiner has 10 goals and 30 points in 40 games, so it's not hard to see why there are those who would like to see the Toronto Maple Leafs give him another shot, especially after he had 30 points in 75 NHL contests last season. "[We want him at a level] where he’s probably too good for the AHL," Leafs coach Randy Carlyle explained. "And I haven’t heard anybody tell me that he has." He's worth picking up whenever the Leafs summon him.
Mar 13 - 3:54 PM

Jake Gardiner's Minnesota-based agent, Ben Hankinson, caused a stir on Twitter last night after Tuesday's loss in Winnipeg.

He tweeted: "#FreeJakeGardiner," which has over 500 retweets. Gardiner has been stuck in the minors since recovering from his concussion. The Leafs have eight defensemen on their roster and would need to make some roster decisions to bring Gardiner up. He has accumulated 10 goals and 30 points in 40 AHL games this campaign and has skated in just two games with the Maple Leafs. Toronto could also reinstate John-Michael Liles from the press box to add some mobility to their back end in the meantime.
Source: Toronto Sun
Mar 13 - 9:23 AM

Depth Charts

All Positions
PosRoleName
C1Tyler Bozak
2Nazem Kadri
3Mikhail Grabovski
4Jay McClement
LW1Joffrey Lupul
2James van Riemsdyk
3Clarke MacArthur
4Frazer McLaren
5Ryan Hamilton
RW1Phil Kessel
2Nikolai Kulemin
3Matt Frattin
4Leo Komarov
5Colton Orr
D1Dion Phaneuf
2John-Michael Liles
3Jake Gardiner
4Cody Franson
5Carl Gunnarsson
6Ryan O'Byrne
7Mark Fraser
G1James Reimer
2Ben Scrivens