The Toronto Maple Leafs have been enjoying a break-out season from Morgan Rielly. Unfortunately, this has coincided from some regression in the game of Jake Gardiner.
Last year Jake Gardiner put up 43 points, a 52% Corsi and was the Leafs best defenseman by a mile. This year, not so much. He’s on pace for only 32 points (and he’s getting tons of PP time) and has a possession rating of only 47%.
So what’s wrong?
Toronto Maple Leafs Defense Pairings.
The Leafs have paired Gardiner with Zaitsev for most of this year. Together the two have a possession rating of 47%.