LeafsParadise.com

Originally drafted in the first round (17th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks, Jake Gardiner was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Francois Beauchemin deal. To say Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke fleeced Ducks general manager Bob Murray would be an understatement, at least when you consider Gardiner’s strong showing in his first NHL season. Through 75 games with the Blue and White Gardiner established himself as a reliable offensive defenseman, scoring seven goals (one on the power play) and 23 assists for a total of 30 points. Gardiner’s seven goals ranked him 40th amongst NHL defensemen, while his 30 points ranked him a very respectable 42nd overall. Gardiner also managed a minus-2 rating while boasting a very clean 18 penalty minutes. Anytime a young player makes a splash at the NHL level in a Maple Leafs’ jersey Toronto fans are quick to anoint them as the savior of the franchise. In the case of Gardiner there are mixed feelings. Ga...