Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner returned to the ice for practice today for the first time in over a month. The defenseman has been dealing with back issues and hasn't even been able to practice. So it was a great sight to see the defenseman in a no contact jersey on Thursday. However after practice, head coach Mike Babcock was vague when it came to Gardiner's injury and simply said they're hoping to get him in the lineup before end of season. Gardiner himself was later grilled by the media but was pretty secretive himself. He was asked if he ever considered surgery for his top secret injury and when he thinks he'll be back. "I can't tell you [that]. We're just going to take it day by day and work towards getting back in the lineup."
