"The Toronto Maple Leafs have plenty of contract issues on their hands. Of course at the top of the list is William Nylander who remains unsigned at the moment and needs a deal signed before December 1st if he wants to play this year. The team also has to focus on extensions for Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and quietly the team also has to take a look at Jake Gardiner. With question marks surrounding the teams blueline and salary cap, the team might have no other choice but to keep Gardiner around.Pierre LeBrum chimed in on TSN 1050 and if Gardiner could earn a contract similar to what Nate Schmidt just signed with Vegas:"To your question about Nate Schmidt, it's very pertinent. I would say to you that if Jake Gardiner wanted to sign an extension from the Leafs over the next six months, it's going to be under $6 million a year — maybe a bit less than Nate Schmidt — but if he hits the open market, he easily eclipses $6 million because of the dearth of top-four defensemen available every summer on July 1st. Look no further than the financial bonanza that awaited Kevin Shattenkirk a few summers ago and he was healthy scratched a few games ago.
Definitely between $6-7 million for Jake Gardiner if he hits the market. Not as much if he wants to be part of this puzzle here in Toronto with all of the salary cap ramifications.
It's supply and demand. There are not a lot of guys left. Erik Karlsson is the top pending UFA defenseman. That is a whole separate conversation. Whether he stays in San Jose or he hits the market, he is in his own world and that is different. After that, it is basically Gardiner and Tyler Myers who are the next best two UFA defensemen on the market this summer. That's it. There are a few other guys, but those are the best two UFA defensemen after Erik Karlsson."Would you sign Gardiner to this type of deal?
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