Toronto Maple Leafs: Multiple 40 Point Defensemen

Jake Gardiner

Underappreciated. Underrated. Harshly criticized. All statements that fit the bill for Jake Gardiner. No matter what he does, the unfair narrative that he can’t play defense never seems to disappear.  Ironic too, since his biggest impact, despite putting up 40 points, is defensive.  Gardiner makes the puck go the other way, and tilts the ice in the direction of the opponent’s net. When he is on the ice, the Leafs get more shots than they allow, bottom line.

Last season was his 5th full season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and by far his best. Gardiner was one of only 23 defensemen that reached 40 points last year with 43. In every aspect of the game, he was, and continues to be the Leafs best defenseman .  At the age of 27, Gardiner should not show any signs of regression and could easily pass 40 points again. If he does, he will rightly take his place among the games elite.

I mean, he’s not going to make the top ten, or probably even top fifteen, but he’s a seriously god hockey player who doesn’t get close to the respect he deserves.  People like to credit Mike Babcock for his improvement, but that’s not really fair, because Gardiner has been the best Leafs defenseman since at least the Randy Carlyle days, though Carlyle probably didn’t know it.

The Leafs usually run with a 4-1 powerplay and next season should be no different. One of the two PP QB spots is automatically given to Gardiner. His incredible vision on the ice and sneaky wrister compliments the young PP core.

Barring an injury, Gardiner will most definitely pass 40 points next season.