Gardiner says he's "ready to step up and be one of the leaders on the team now," according to the Toronto Sun. "It should be a good year," said the defender, who trained this summer in Nova Scotia with Andy O'Brien, trainer of Sidney Crosby and John Tavares, and then in Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

He clearly put in the time in the gym and is ready to show his new coach and team brass that he can be more than just an enigma on the ice. But all the physical training in the world won't re-wire his brain for better decision making, so it remains to be seen if he can step up and think the game in a way that helps him expand his value to the team.