TORONTO - The Maple Leafs want Jake Gardiner to re-discover his game.
And Gardiner, who made the NHL’s all-rookie team last season, will do it with the Toronto Marlies.
The Leafs on Friday afternoon sent the 22-year-old defenceman to their American Hockey League affiliate, this after Gardiner played in two games after returning from a concussion.
“It’s just about him finding his legs again,†Leafs vice-president of hockey operations Dave Poulin said. “He has to get comfortable. He was off for quite a long lapse.â€
Gardiner was hurt on Dec. 8 during a game with the Marlies and missed all of the Leafs’ practices in the abbreviated training camp. He played in Pittsburgh against the Penguins on Wednesday night and was in the lineup at home against the New York Islanders on Thursday night.