Can Jake Gardiner and Randy Carlyle co-exist?

Just a week into the Toronto Maple Leafs seasons there are already a number of interesting story lines developing.

Following Saturday’s relief performance, has Jonathan Bernier taken over the mantle as the Leafs number 1 goalie, already?

Can a defence that is shaky be good enough to lead the team into a second straight playoff  appearance?

With Nik Kulemin out a few weeks with an ankle injury, and the suspension to David Clarkson, can the Leafs continue to win games?

But most intriguing storyline that seems to be developing revolves around the relationship between Coach Randy Carlyle and 23 year-old defenceman Jake Gardiner. Can the two co-exist?

After an exhibition game loss in Detroit – a game in which Gardiner had a couple of points, but struggled defensively – Carlyle was asked if Gardiner is playing at the level he was last year in the playoffs.

The coach responded, “No, No he’s not.”

In the season opener in Montreal, Gardiner had a -2 rating.

In the Leafs second regular season game of the season, Gardiner didn’t see much ice-time in the 3^rd period in Philadelphia. He played just 13:59 in all.

Mark Fraser suffered a knee injury in that game, yet Carlyle ran with 4 defenceman for most of the final period of a 1-1 game, leaving Gardiner glued to the bench. Toronto won the game 3-1 with a pair of late goals.

In the Leafs home opener, Gardiner played significantly more but all the talk after the contest was the play of 19 year-old Morgan Rielly making his NHL debut.

In fact Rielly played in many key situations – specifically a power play in overtime - while Gardiner watched from the bench.

At practice, or before a game, it is not uncommon to see Carlyle and Gardiner talking defence. Carlyle imploring his young blueliner to be more physical; the talk often turning to defensive positioning.

Carlyle won a Norris trophy in 1981 as the NHL’s best defencemen. He understands the position and he likes his defenceman to play a physical style.

In March, Carlyle said this about Gardiner to a Toronto radio station.

"Jake has got to be stronger defensively," Carlyle said during an interview on TSN 1050 radio.

"He has to start to step into people more in the defensive zone along the wall, get more engaged physically. And he does not have to run people over. That is not what we are asking people to do. He is not going to turn into a banger and a crasher.

"But he has to use his skating ability to position himself to separate people from the puck, or protect the puck better."

Weeks later, Gardiner told the media, “I think Randy wants me to hit guys more. Not necessarily hit them I guess, just finish my check.”

Well, those same issues continue to plague Gardiner still today.

But it looked like Gardiner had turned it around in Toronto after last season’s playoffs against Boston. Gardiner excelled picking up 5 points in 6 games.

Teammate Joffrey Lupul said Gardiner’s play in the post season reminded him of Scott Niedermayer, a player he played with in Anaheim.

“He’s got tremendous skating ability, and good vision, and instincts,” Lupul said in May. “I’m sure he’d admit his defensive game is still probably the last area to come around, and I’m sure he’ll work on it, and when he does, the sky’s the limit.”

His head Coach said during the playoffs, “I think he’s much more difficult to play against.”

Yet here we are again, a few months later where the Coach still has questions and concerns about Gardiner’s game.

It has been quite a whirlwind for Gardiner as a Leaf.

He had a strong rookie season picking up 30 points in 75 games.

Last season during the lockout, Gardiner played in the American Hockey League and suffered a concussion.

As a result the Leafs didn’t rush him back to the NHL. At one point, Gardiner’s agent Ben Hankinson tweeted #freeJakeGardiner.

It’s been like that with Gardiner during his time in Toronto: Plenty of highs, too many lows.

Are the Leafs listening to offers for Gardiner? Sources suggest as much.

Elliotte Friedman of CBC said in his most recent blog, There is definitely some level of conversation going on between other teams and Toronto involving Jake Gardiner. I despise the word "shopped," as it's more like a feeling-out process. If the Maple Leafs do decide to do it, it's going to be for a young asset or assets. So, you have to look at teams with talented young players. This is PURELY my speculation, but if teams like Dallas, Florida or Minnesota would be interested, you could see a match.

Gardiner is a restricted free agent next year and General Manager Dave Nonis has already made roster changes that suggest Randy Carlyle has a big say on who plays for the Maple Leafs.

Nonis made the move to buy out Mikhail Grabovski, a player who thrived under former coach Ron Wilson. Clarke MacArthur was not re-signed after his contract had expired.

To give up on a 23 year-old defenceman- one who has the ability to move the puck like Gardiner- might strike some as odd.

There’s no way it could happen, can it?

Consider that Carlyle was the coach in Anaheim when Gardiner was a first round draft pick. And Carlyle was the coach of the Ducks when Gardiner was dealt to Toronto.

Also keep in mind the Leafs have Rielly, and other young defenceman in the system (Stuart Percy, Korbinian Holzer, Matt Finn and Jesse Blacker) the thought of trading Jake Gardiner may not be as far-fetched as it appears.

Stay tuned.