6 years agoToronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner (back) played through a back injury during the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins. He was able to avoid surgery, and is now reportedly back to 100 percent health. The rearguard also had an MRI and it came back clean. Gardiner took a lot of heat in Toronto this past season, registering just three goals and 30 points with a plus-19 rating and five power-play assists with no goals on the man advantage. He had a career-best 52 points in 2017-18, so his production was disappointing. Fantasy owners should be able to scoop him up on the cheap in the middle to late rounds next fall while hoping for a rebound.--Daniel Dobish
Source: TSN.ca