Toronto Maple Leafs Jake Gardiner to Remain Out due to Concussion -NHL Injury Update
Jake Gardiner, a leading rookie of the Toronto Maple Leafs and currently a member of their farm club in the American Hockey League (AHL), the Toronto Marlies, will remain out at the very least another week due to concussion-like symptoms.
Medical staff and franchise authorities decided to keep the player out due to the fact that his concussion symptoms may be aggravated if allowed to play in the upcoming exhibition matchups of the AHL, resulting in further problems and more time being sidelined.
“The way the schedule has played out [three games in four days starting Wednesday in Cleveland], we have a certain medical protocol we have to follow with Jake,” Marlies head coach, Dallas Eakins explained to the Toronto Sun. “We can’t sway from it. He hasn’t
been on the ice, he has to get into a full contact practice and that’s just not going to happen the way our schedule is.”
“He can’t play until we ramp him up in practice. And we play right after the break [Dec. 26 vs. Hamilton] so he can’t play that one.”
Gardiner was picked up by the Anaheim Ducks as their 17th overall pick during round-one of the 2008 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft but made his debut in the major league with the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2011-2012 regular season.
He made a major impact on the team, given that it was his very first career hockey season, putting up 30 points (7 goals, 23 assists) in 75 games played, along with 18 minutes in penalty time. Gardiner played another four matchups with the Marlies in the
AHL, registering a total of two assists in that time frame.
Currently, Jake Gardiner is on a three-year, entry-level deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, which is worth a total of $2.625 million. The deal has an annual salary cap hit of $1.116 million, with a base salary of $875,000 and more than $200,000 yearly in
potential bonuses. At the moment, the 22-year-old defender is making $65,000 in the minor league with the Marlies.
Updates on the youngster should be expected in the upcoming days.
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