Gardiner recalled, Komisarek waived

Toronto Maple Leafs fans have for weeks been calling for Jake Gardiner to return to the NHL.

On Wednesday it happened as the Leafs recalled the 22 year-old defenseman, in the hopes he can help halt a 5 game losing streak.

Mike Komisarek couldn’t resist yelling “Jake Gardiner is free” after seeing the large media scrum Wednesday morning talking to the young blueliner.

A week after his agent sent out a #FreeJakeGardiner tweet, the Toronto Maple Leafs called up the defenseman who will play tonight against Tampa Bay.

“He did an excellent job,” Leafs Coach Randy Carlyle said when asked how Gardiner handled his time in the American Hockey League. “We just felt Jake had played very well in the last 10 days.”

Korbinian Holzer was sent down to the minors to make room for Gardiner, who had 30 points in 75 games with the Maple Leafs last season as a 21 year-old. He was named to the NHL’s all-rookie team.

But Gardiner suffered a concussion in the American Hockey League in December and that kept him off the ice for several weeks. When he played a couple of games with the Leafs in January, Carlyle and Leafs management didn’t like what they were seeing.

So Gardiner went down to the Marlies and over the last few weeks he started to show the dominant form he flashed his rookie season.

Gardiner tried to distance himself from his agent’s tweet, and he said playing for Marlies coach Dallas Eakins “awesome.”

But there was no doubt he wanted to be with the Leafs and on Tuesday morning, he called General Manager Dave Nonis to discuss his future with the team. He wasn’t aware the Leafs had been thinking of bringing him up.

“It was a great call,” said Gardiner, who would be recalled by the Leafs hours later. “I just kind of wanted to get a more clear picture of things where they stood.”

It was clear the Leafs view Gardiner as a key player for the Leafs now and going forward. That was news Gardiner wanted to hear.

“I feel like I’ve definitely gotten better the last few games,” said Gardiner, who had 31 points in 43 games in the American Hockey League this season. “I have a long way to go to where I want to be.”

“Is Jake Gardiner going to be our saviour? That’s a label that we have to guard against,” said Carlyle. “We want Jake Gardiner to come in and be Jake Gardiner.”

Look for Gardiner to play left defence and to be paired up initially with John-Michael Liles.

Look for Gardiner to be a key figure on the power-play and expect Gardiner to be able to move the puck quickly to the forwards. It has been a problem during this 5 game winless streak and Gardiner should help in that area.

“My mindset is to just play my game and help the Leafs get some wins,” said Gardiner. “I’m getting a second chance. I have to make sure I help this team.”

Gardiner can play only three more NHL games before he will be unable to clear waivers. You get the impression he will be here the rest of the season and the Leafs see Gardiner as a key player going forward.

Meantime, the Leafs placed defenceman Mike Komisarek on waivers. He had been a healthy scratch in 25 straight games.

Komisarek agreed to waive his no trade clause, and if he is not claimed, will report to the Marlies.

Komisarek has handled his benching with class. Now he will get a chance to show he can still play at a high level in the American Hockey League.

Wade Redden and Sheldon Souray have thrived after teams gave up on them and played in the AHL. Komisarek (who earns $4.5M this year and next) will look to follow in their footsteps.

The Leafs have plenty of young defenseman in the system. They have high hopes for Korbinian Holzer, Jesse Blacker, Stuart Percy and Morgan Rielly.

It is likely Komisarek has played his final game in Toronto. If he is not claimed or traded, expect the Leafs to buy out Komisarek in the summer.

Leafs goalies struggles a concern

It has been a struggle for the Toronto Maple Leafs as of late – 5 losses in a row. They have 19 games remaining and the Leafs are holding onto a playoff spot, just one point up on 8^th place Carolina.

Is it panic time in Toronto?

“The biggest thing is to keep that game-by-game mentality,” said Cody Franson. “You start looking ahead, start looking where you are in the standings and say ‘what if’ or if you start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and get ahead of yourself, that’s when you start throwing away some points because you are looking too far ahead.”

One concerning trend has been goaltending where James Reimer and Ben Scrivens have been ok, but are not stealing games for them.

In a week that features back to back games against teams Tampa Bay and Buffalo – two teams out of the playoffs at this time – the Leafs need to establish some kind of consistency in goal. (By the way, Tampa has the second most goals in the eastern conference behind Pittsburgh.)

Reimer’s GAA is a full point higher in March than it was in February (3.22 this month) while his save percentage is .906, his worst month of this shortened season.

For Scrivens his March statistics have been worse (3.60 GAA and a save percentage of .880).

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, do the Leafs look to address goaltending? Will the price be too much? GM Dave Nonis has made it clear he will not sacrifice future assets for the present.

Also remember the salary cap is dropping next year, so while Toronto would like more experience goaltending that comes at a price.

What goalies are available? Yes Roberto Luongo is out there but unless Vancouver is willing to drop the price Nonis won’t go after him.

The Kings still have Jonathan Bernier but he – like Scrivens and Reimer – lacks NHL experience.

Calgary’s Miika Kiprusoff may be on the market, but his contract and the asking price likely will be too much for the Leafs to take on.  He is to make $5.833 M next year before he becomes a UFA.

Anaheim’s Jonas Hiller could be dealt with the emergence of Viktor Fasth. Hiller is to make $4.5 M next season before he becomes a UFA.

Ryan Miller’s time in Buffalo may be coming to an end. He has another year to go at a salary of $6.25 M before he becomes a UFA.

You can see the dilemma Nonis and the Maple Leafs face.

This should also concern Leafs fans: it seems Coach Randy Carlyle has lost confidence in Reimer. He didn’t start against his hometown team Winnipeg on Saturday. Scrivens wasn’t much better and if the coach doesn’t have the confidence in his goaltending, how can the players?

A few weeks ago, Randy Carlyle said of his goaltending, “Our goaltending has been NHL quality goaltending. We have some people that can play at a high level in the NHL.”

You can’t say that now. Of course defensively the Leafs haven’t been as structured as they were earlier this season on the blueline.

Only the Florida Panthers have allowed more goals per game than the Maple Leafs this month (3.71) and the Leafs know it must improve if they expect to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Decisions, decisions…..

Busy days, tough decisions ahead for Dave Nonis

Dave Nonis could have a busy few months ahead. And his decisions could impact the Leafs now and moving forward.

Nonis traded a 4th liner in  Mike Brown   to Edmonton and Matt Frattin is coming off a knee injury.

An issue that promises to be interesting to watch will be finding a spot for Joffrey Lupul, expected to return in the next week or two from an arm injury.

“He has not had any setbacks,” said Nonis when addressing Lupul’s recovery.

So who sits when Lupul returns? Does he play on the top line with Kessel, despite the solid play of James van Riemsdyk.

Funny to think that finding a spot for Lupul to play may be a difficult one, eh? Not many would have made that claim at the start of the season. Again it is not a big issue, but goes to show the Leafs depth this year.

On the defensive side of things, the Leafs signed blueliner Korbinian Holzer to a 2-year deal. So he looks to be part of the immediate future.

What about Jake Gardiner? Last year he had a marvelous rookie campaign, but has been hampered by a concussion and while he is healthy there is no room for him on the NHL club.

Meanwhile Mike Komisarek (cap hit of $4.5M) and John-Michael Liles (a cap hit of $3.875M) have been healthy scratches. The trade deadline is a month away could Komisarek (who has 1 more year at a cap hit of $4.5M) or Liles (3 more years of a cap hit at $3.875M) could be trade bait?

“Mike Komisarek has not asked for a trade,” said Nonis this week. Komisarek has a limited no trade clause.

While Carlyle said both Komisarek and Liles have been been “utmost professionals” Nonis will have to consider making a move of some kind, doesn’t he?

Then there is the Tyler Bozak contract situation. He is an unrestricted free agent after this season.

While Bozak has won 60% of his face-offs this year and has been the center on the top line with Phil Kessel, how much of a raise should he get?

He makes $1.4M this season so is he a $3M to $5M player a year? If he and his agent feel that way, would the Leafs agree? Mikhail Grabovski agreed to a 5-year $27.5M dollar deal a year ago. How does that impact Bozak’s deal?

While Clarke MacArthur, who makes $3.25M, is also an unrestricted free agent.

What kind of salary structure suits him?

Then there are youngsters like Joe Colborne and Carter Ashton who could be part of the Leafs future. Colborne has battled through wrist injuries which slowed his development.

Does Colborne make the jump to the NHL (much like Nazem Kadri has this season) should Bozak sign elsewhere? Colborne is a restricted free agent after this season. The Leafs will have to make a call on him soon.

There is also the Phil Kessel situation. He has just one year left on a deal that has him earning $5.4M. How much more will he seek as a free agent? Do the Leafs try and sign him to an extension now?

As you see there is plenty for Dave Nonis and his staff to deal with.

The Leafs have some cap room, having just 13 players under contract next season ($47.2M) and just 5 players signed ($21.1M) the 2014-2015 season.