Jake Gardiner should be playing on the Leafs

Jake Gardiner may not make the Maple Leafs once the regular season begins next week. But his absence from the roster has nothing to do with playing ability. He is clearly ready for the NHL. Rather it is a numbers game. The Leafs have 9 defensemen on their roster but only 2 can be sent to the Marlies without placing the players on waivers, - Gardiner and Keith Aulie. He played his usual game against the Red Wings tonight scoring the first goal and setting up Mike Brown later in the game. But if he doesn't start the season with the Leafs, it won't take long before he makes his regular season debut. The boy can skate.