The Hurricanes have signed Jake Gardiner to a four-year contract worth $16.2 million ($4.05M AAV).
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 (back) is on the ice for warmups; expected to play Thursday vs. the Lightning.

Gardiner (back) expects to play Thursday but will be a game-time decision.
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 is out week-to-week with a back injury.
Source: @LeafsPR 02/27/19, 5:54 pm EST

Gardiner (undisclosed) is expected to play on Saturday.
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 (back) is not on the ice for warmups.

Gardiner (back) will be a game-time decision on Wednesday.
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 will not play Sunday due to back spasms.
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.
Source: @LeafsPR 01/20/19, 4:24 pm EST

Gardiner (lower-body) is expected to play Saturday in Pittsburgh.
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 (illness) is on the ice for warmups; expected to play vs. Anaheim.
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.

Gardiner (illness) missed the morning skate, but is expected to play vs. Anaheim.
Gardiner has had a very strong year for the Maple Leafs, scoring six goals and eight assists (14 points) in 30 games. He has been even more impressive recently, scoring two goals with three assists (five points) in his last five games.

Gardiner (lower-body) will return to the lineup on Friday.

Gardiner (lower-body) will not play on Monday.
Gardiner will miss his third straight game with a lower-body injury. After tonight the Maple Leafs don’t play again until Friday, so there is a chance that Gardiner could be ready by then.

The Maple Leafs have placed Jake Gardiner (undisclosed) on injured reserve.
Gardiner missed Wednesday’s game in Buffalo and will miss Saturday’s in Montreal because of an undisclosed injury. Moving him to IR allows the Maple Leafs to recall someone without having to send anyone down. He is considered day-to-day until the Leafs release the nature and severity of his injury.

Gardiner (undisclosed) will not play on Saturday in Montreal.
Gardiner missed Wednesday’s contest against the Sabres and will not play on Saturday vs. the Habs. The Maple Leafs have not disclosed the nature or severity of his injury. Until more details are released, consider him day-to-day.

Gardiner (undisclosed) will not play on Wednesday.
Gardiner was not on the ice for the Maple Leafs morning skate and will miss tonight’s matchup with the Sabres with an undisclosed injury. Maple Leafs’ coach Mike Babcock called him day-to-day, which means he could be back for Saturday’s game in Montreal or miss a week of action.

Gardiner will be back in the lineup on Sunday.
Gardiner served as a healthy scratch on Saturday, but will replace Stephane Robidas tonight vs. Chicago. Gardiner has not recorded a point in six games and is a minus-2 rating over that stretch. He has eight points (2G / 6A) in 30 games this season.

Gardiner looks like the Maple Leafs healthy scratch tonight.
Gardiner is on the ice for warmups, but he is skating as an extra, which suggests that Gardiner will be out and Korbinian Holzer will be in.

Gardiner (knee) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.
Gardiner said he feels fine after participating in the Maple Leafs morning skate. He left Thursday’s game with a bone bruise, but it looks like he will be available tonight. Monitor his status at 6:30 p.m ET when the Leafs hit the ice for warmups.

Gardiner (knee) is on the ice for the Maple Leafs’ morning skate.
Gardiner left Thursday’s game after blocking a shot and was diagnosed with a bone bruise. His presence on the ice suggests that he will play tonight, but we won’t for sure know until the skate is over.
