Gardiner (hip) won't be in attendance for training camp and is slated to start another year on long-term injured reserve, Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News and Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

This latest news refutes an earlier report that Gardiner was fit and available for the upcoming season. The fact that the blueliner won't be available seems to explain the club's decision to bring in Calvin de Haan on a professional tryout agreement. Considering Gardiner already spent last season on LTIR, this would seem to be the end of the Minnesota native's playing career.

Gardiner (hip) has been given medical clearance to play and should be ready for the 2022-23 campaign, Sara Civian of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gardiner missed the entirety of the season after undergoing hip surgery in September and spending the year on long-term injured reserve. The blueliner appeared in just 26 games during his more recent campaign, tallying eight assists, 15 hits and 23 shots while averaging 16:03 of ice time. With Gardiner good to go, the team may not need to retain both Brendan Smith and Ian Cole this offseason.

Gardiner will undergo surgery on both his hip and back and will be placed on long-term injured reserve to start the season, Sara Civian of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

At this point, fantasy players should probably expect Gardiner to miss the entirety of the 2021-22 campaign, though the club hasn't released an official statement or timeline for the blueliner's recovery. Even if he is cleared to play this year, the 31-year-old Minnesota native may struggle to break into the lineup with any consistency and therefore shouldn't be counted on to offer any real fantasy value.

Gardiner served as a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game in Saturday's 2-1 overtime win against Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

Gardiner has been in and out of the lineup all season, recording just eight points in 25 games to date. With the acquisition of Finnish rearguard Jani Hakanpaa from Anaheim at the trade deadline, Gardiner is currently the odd man out on the Canes' blue line. He should not be on anyone's fantasy roster right now.

Gardiner was promoted from the taxi squad for Monday's tilt with Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Gardiner will be in the lineup for a second straight game after missing the previous 15 contests with a back injury. The veteran blueliner has seven assists in 18 games this season.

Gardiner was reassigned to the taxi squad Sunday, CapFriendly reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gardiner returned from a 15-game absence Saturday, recording a minus-1 rating in 14:31 of ice time. He should be recalled for Monday's tilt with Detroit.

Gardiner (back) will be promoted to the active roster and return to action Saturday against Detroit, Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Gardiner is expected to slot into a bottom-four role for Saturday's contest. He's picked up seven assists through 17 games this campaign.

Gardiner (back) was placed on the taxi squad Saturday, per CapFriendly.

EDGE Analysis

Gardiner will continue to occupy a taxi squad space on game days as long as he's recovering from a back injury. There is no timeline for his return yet.

Gardiner (back) was promoted to the active roster Friday, according to CapFriendly.

EDGE Analysis

Gardiner has missed 12 of the last 14 games while dealing with injuries and it's unclear when he'll return. The veteran defenseman has seven assists in 17 games this season.

Gardiner (back) was reassigned to the taxi squad Thursday, per CapFriendly.

EDGE Analysis

While Gardiner is out, he'll likely be on the taxi squad on game days.