Toronto Maple Leafs: 4 predictions for the 2018-19 season

Jake Gardiner doesn’t get a contract extension

As much as teams want to pay every player what they’re worth or what the market dictates, sometimes sacrifices have to made in a salary cap world. Unfortunately, this means a high probability Gardiner will find himself in a similar situation that James van Riemsdyk did when he left the team in free agency.

Like it did with JVR, this has less to do with performance and more about the Leafs ensuring that they have enough cap space to get their younger core locked up and sign Tavares.

Given how the team has seen the emergence of their young forwards like Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson from the Toronto Marlies, the team probably sees one of the Marlies defencemen doing the same when the time comes to make a decision on Gardiner.

Kyle Dubas will do his due diligence and gauge the salary Gardiner is looking for but in the end, the player earns the right to test free agency and what other teams will be willing to offer Toronto probably can’t afford to pay.

It would be tough to expect Dubas sacrificing the ability to sign either Auston Matthews or Mitch Marner in order to fit Gardiner even though he is a vital contributor.

One factor which could come into play is Mike Babcock’s desire to keep Gardiner around as he made it clear that he wants to get his defenceman locked up long-term.

"“We look forward to getting Jake signed and him being a Leaf for a long time.” Babcock told reporters at the beginning of training camp."

Whether Babcock gets his way or not Dubas knows there’s going to be a crunch to get everyone to fit and if does want to keep Gardiner it might come at the cost of moving another player like Patrick Marleau but it’s a decision that can come later in the season.

Just don’t be surprised if this is the last season we see Gardiner with the Leafs.