Big news for former Wisconsin defenseman Jake Gardiner, as Chris Johnson from Rogers Sportsnet is reporting Gardiner has signed a five-year extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Johnson reports the deal is worth $20.25 million with an average annual value of $4.05 million.
Jake Gardiner has signed a $20.25M, five-year extension with the #leafs. Gives him a $4.05M AAV.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 29, 2014
Gardiner has spent the past three seasons between the AHL and NHL in the Maple Leafs' organization. He's skated in 167 games in the NHL, recording 17 goals and 65 assists. Last season was the best of Gardiner's career, as he recorded career highs in games (80), goals (10) and points (31).
A native of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Gardiner played three seasons for the Badgers, which culminated in an All-American season in 2010-11 when he recorded 41 points in 41 games.
Gardiner's name had been tossed around in trade rumors consistently over the past three seasons. Although the long-term extension should quell any speculation on that front for now, Gardiner's extension doesn't include a no-move clause according to the report from Sportsnet.
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