Confidence, comfort feed Gardiner’s growth
Passes once considered risky are now proof of blueliner’s great vision on the ice Cheers to U.S.
Jake Gardiner still has those moments: those brain-cramp passes up the middle to no one in particular, more likely than not ending up with the puck on an opponent’s stick.
But there are decidedly fewer of those moments for the Maple Leafs defenceman, and they are farther between.
Seemingly gone, at least lately, are those incredibly misplayed two-onones that dogged him through December and mid-January. Gardiner has raised his game a notch. Or two.
“When you’re playing well, you’re confident,” he said. “The team is playing well, so that helps, too. As the year goes on, I think you feel better and better.”
Winger Patrick Marleau says he’s impressed by Gardiner’s “long stretch passes. Just the way he can move the puck around and see open guys.”
Gardiner is playing with speed and creativity and more or less displaying grace under pressure.
“It’s funny, but years ago he was doing the same stuff,” teammate James van Riemsdyk said. “He’s just getting recognition for it. Good for him. Happy to have him on our team. He’s a big part of our team.”
During a 13-game run heading into Thursday night’s game against the New York Islanders, Gardiner had a goal and 11 assists to lead all Leafs defencemen. He was third leaguewide since Jan. 24.
“We think he’s really intelligent, moves the puck real well, plays with good players, gets them the puck and they like playing with him,” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said.
The point was made to Babcock that perhaps the strengths of Gardiner’s game — speed, the ability to make plays with quick and sometimes fancy passes — are better suited to the 2017-18 Leafs because this team has more talent throughout the lineup than earlier incarnations when Gardiner was breaking into the league.
Gardiner built a reputation for questionable passes in the Ron Wilson and Randy Carlyle eras. But “good” passes to lesser talents could go awry, making the passer look bad. Now Gardiner has more talented players to accept those feeds, making both look good.
“I wasn’t here, so I don’t know what went on,” Babcock said. “All I know is since we’ve given him some structure to play with, he plays within the structure and can still make plays. Whether it’s a long pass, a short pass, a shot through, he can make plays. He sees the play and he makes the play. Lots of guys don’t see those plays. He just has that ability and can do that.”
Part of it is opportunity, part of it is who he plays with. When Morgan Rielly got hurt in January, Gardiner’s power-play time increased. And when Nikita Zaitsev returned from injury after missing 17 games, Gardiner was ready to roll.
“Like most guys are, he’s got that confidence that continues to grow,” van Riemsdyk said. “When he’s confident like that, it’s fun to play with him.”
Gardiner is now a veteran. At some point next season, barring injury, he will play his 500th game. He is 239th among active players in games played, putting him in the top third of the league in experience. At 27, he is in his prime.
“You’re always feeling you can get better, but I feel confident,” Gardiner said. “You want to feel comfortable and confident. From year to year though, there are always younger guys coming into the league, pushing you, which is actually a good thing. Makes you work harder in the summers.” The Americans on the Maple Leafs were happy that the U.S. beat Canada in women’s hockey for gold. “Me and Phil (Kessel) went to their games (in Sochi), including the gold-medal game, which was a heartbreaker,” said van Riemsdyk. “Nice to see them get some revenge.” Kessel’s sister Amanda plays for the U.S. squad. SHOOTOUT GLOOM: Babcock is not a fan of the shootout in the Olympics. “It’s a good win for the team that wins; it’s devastating for the team that loses the gold-medal game, no matter what,” said Babcock. “I’m not a shootout guy. I don’t know why you don’t just keep playing. But they don’t ask me about the rules.” ANDY’S DANDY: The Maple Leafs’ record in one-goal games heading into Thursday was 19-3-5, tops in the NHL. Marleau credits goalie Frederik Andersen: “He’s been a rock back there. When we do have breakdowns, everybody knows he’s there to back us up and make those key saves.” Kevin McGran