Jake Gardiner News

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.

Jake Gardiner
Gardiner will be back in the Leafs' lineup on Friday.

Gardiner has been a healthy scratch in the Maple Leafs last two games, but he will be back in the lineup tonight, paired with Morgan Rielly. Stephane Robidas is expected to take a seat with Gardiner returning. The Red Wings are a really fast team so getting Gardiner's foot speed is a huge upgrade from Robidas skating.

Jake Gardiner
Gardiner appears to be a healthy scratch for the second straight game.

Gardiner was on the ice for warmups but did not take part in line rushes, so he will sit for the second straight game. When Randy Carlyle was asked what he wants Gardiner to do when he gets back in the lineup all he had to say was "play better." It is clear that Carlyle is not happy with Gardiner's play early in the year.

Jake Gardiner
The Leafs signed Jake Gardiner to a five-year, $20.25 million deal.

Gardiner, 24, set new career-highs in goals (10), points (31) and power-play points (11) in 2013-14. The 2008 17th overall pick has shown flashes of brilliance in his first three NHL seasons but needs to work on being more consistent. He has the potential to be a top-30 fantasy defenseman this season.

Jake Gardiner
Gardiner to play with Franson #leafs

With Mark Fraser out Gardiner will get bumped up to the Maple Leafs second pair and J.M Liles will slide into his old spot on the third pair. Gardiner played very well in Game 4, he had two assists, three hits and three blocked shots in 27:45 of ice time. The only downfall of his game on Wednesday was his four giveaways.

Jake Gardiner