Carolina Hurricanes sign Jake Gardiner to four-year, $16.2-million contract

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed UFA defenceman Jake Gardiner to a four-year, $16.2-million deal, the club announced Friday.

"Jake is a solid veteran blueliner with a proven history of contributing offensively, including on the power play," said Don Waddell, Carolina’s president and general manager. "He's had options this summer, but ultimately decided that Carolina is his best fit, and we're thrilled to have him here."

Gardiner spent the past eight seasons on the blueline in Toronto, tallying 45 goals and 245 points throughout 551 games. He added 12 more points in another 26 postseason games with Toronto.

His five-year, $20.25 million contract with the Maple Leafs expired this offseason and with the team’s tight cap space this summer, Gardiner was no longer a fit in Toronto.

The club thanked their previously longest tenured Leaf for his time in the Blue and White.

Gardiner shared a heartwarming video on his Instagram account featuring his young son Henry sporting an adorable Hurricanes branded helmet.

The Hurricanes are now $905k over the cap with a full roster accounted for, so expect more moves to come out of Carolina.

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