7 goals... 23 assists... for 30 points, in 75 games up here this season.... His 1st year in the NHL... and he did this without spending a full season in the AHL... Quite an accomplishment..!
On top of that..., Jake finished the season with the highest +/- percentage of all our D-Men on the team (-2). He also racked up a mere 18 penalty minutes, all season...
Jake was in the Marlies earlier this season for one game..and also got one point, in that one game. He now heads back fro the MARLIE's remaining regular season games.. and into AHL playoffs. The word is, he will be the quarterback of the power-play, down there...
I made a thread in September entitled: "START THE SEASON WITH GARDINER...!" Most thought I was crazy for suggesting that we have a College boy start in the NHL, but I had tracked Jake since 2008. He was like Kessel was this season, when he was in College.. a point/per game D-man... (actually, a little better than that).
I will stick my neck out "again" and suggest that he will eventually bring those numbers to the NHL... It may take 2 or 3 seasons, but I see so much more potential in this young man...!
Someone needs to do a Jake Gardiner Tribute video on You-Tube.., but for now.., here's a couple of his recent goals with the Leafs. I will add more as the thread goes on...
THANK YOU, JAKE GARDINER! .. AND ALL THE BEST, IN THE MARLIE PLAYOFFS..!
Even my cat here (click on the pic below to enlarge) is excited about the upcoming Marlie games..












