Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season
By Simon Vacca
4. What of the future of Jake Gardiner?
If there is a constant that binds together the praise and critique that has underlined Jake Gardiner’s career, it is that of a quality of inconstancy.
For some, he’s the epitome of a replaceable force. An offensive talent who is more than capable of putting up decent totals, but a defensive sieve whose decision-making can be nothing short of disastrous. For others, he’s a valuable asset — a skilled offensive quarterback whose most recent upside of 52 points outweighs his shortcomings in his own zone.
As such, Maple Leafs fans are truly divided when it comes to the matter of Gardiner’s future. Many are willing to overlook his questionable moments, arguing that an extension is not only imminent, but also quite necessary, as the 28-year-old is due for a raise. An equally outspoken portion of the fanbase would, without blinking an eye, scoff at this very prospect — maintaining, instead, that the defender ought to be traded for nothing short of a bag of pucks.
The Gardiner issue is surely one of the most polarizing topics that is currently at the focal point of Leafs Nation. And as is the case with all contentious subjects, it is not just possible, but plausible that a reasonable solution lies somewhere in the mushy middle.
Should the Maple Leafs’ administration view Gardiner as a staple of the team’s long-term plans, one can expect a raise for the high-risk, high-reward player. But if the organization opts for a move of this nature, then it’s important that another addition be made to the blue line — the acquisition of a stabilizer, of sorts, who can account for most of Gardiner’s costly errors.
Yet if the opposite line of inquiry is ultimately favored by Dubas and Co., the thought of a package deal — one that, in theory, would ship out Gardiner (along with other picks and/or prospects) for an upgrade on the right side — becomes all the more believable.
Increased talk of a move only further fans the flames of speculative doubt. The burden of responsibility now lies in the hands of Mr. Dubas to ensure that the Buds end up on the winning side of either extending or dealing No. 51.