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.
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