Jake Gardiner has been summoned by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gardiner spent four straight games in the press box before being sent to the AHL over the weekend. However, he lasted only one game in the minors before the Maple Leafs wanted him back.

Jake Gardiner has been sent down to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. Toronto GM Brian Burke said recently that Gardiner wouldn't be allowed to sit in the press box long. After 4-straight games as a healthy scratch, Gardiner needs to play and will do so with the Marlies in the AHL.

Jake Gardiner said he will be available to play on Wednesday even though he is nursing a bruised right ankle. Gardiner blocked a shot on Sunday against Ottawa, which caused the issue but X-rays didn't reveal anything. The mobile defenseman has three assists in nine games with Toronto this season.

Jake Gardiner is expected to return to Toronto's lineup on Wednesday night. The Leafs wouldn't say who is coming out to make room for him, but the decision would be made before game time. It will probably be Cody Franson because he sat out the first two games of the season when Gardiner was in the lineup. Coach Ron Wilson wants to give Gardiner more playing time against Winnipeg. "He's only played about 12.5 minutes (per game), we've got to give him a few more minutes so you notice him," Wilson said.

Jake Gardiner has managed to defy the odds and make the Toronto Maple Leafs' roster out of training camp. "Jake's been excellent up to this point," coach Ron Wilson said. "I'd have to say he's been the biggest surprise of training camp. Everybody's been enticed with his speed, for sure. Sometimes his speed actually gets him in trouble, but he has a knack of finding holes and getting out of those situations." Gardiner is projected to start the season as the Leafs' sixth blueliner.

Although Jake Gardiner is a long shot to make the Leafs out of training camp, he's getting a lot of playing time in the preseason. Gardiner is expected to play in his third exhibition game on Friday. He's going to play a lot in the next 10 days," Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson said. "We'll see how ready he is." Gardiner should be one of the first defensemen the Leafs call up if any of their blueliners get hurt.