What will the Toronto Maple Leafs do with Jake Gardiner?
TSN 1050: The Toronto morning radio show was discussing the Maple Leafs and what will the team do with Jake Gardiner?
With the recent signing of Nashville Predators defenceman Ryan Ellis and his new 8-year, $50 million contract, the question Toronto Maple Leaf fans are asking is, can the team afford Jake Gardiner as he will likely be asking for the same type of contract. The Leafs still have to sign William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, plus the recent free agent signing of John Tavares and his new contract leaves not a lot of left over cap space for the 2019-2020 season.
The Leafs will likely not be able to pay Jake Gardiner what he will be asking, as he will be a unrestricted free agent. The big question is, do the Leafs let Gardiner walk for nothing like they did with James van Reimsdyk this past season or if they decide they can’t afford to pay him a new contract, do they trade him at the 2019 NHL trade deadline?
Edmonton Oilers looking to trade for a defenceman after Sekera injury
TSN: The Edmonton Oilers announced that defenceman Andrej Sekera underwent surgery for a torn Achilles tendon that he incurred during off-season training.
No timetable was given for the 32-year-old Czech Republic native’s recovery. The injury is a huge blow to the Oilers. With Sekera likely going on long-term injury reserve, the Oilers will get some salary cap relief to trade for a defenceman to fill the void left by Sekera. The Oilers will likely look for a defenceman on an expiring contract with a low cap hit.
