THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO – The Toronto Marlies aren’t taking any chances with standout defenceman Jake Gardiner.
The 22-year-old blue-liner did not skate with the AHL team Wednesday, still shaken following a big hit in a game Saturday against Rochester.
Marlies coach Dallas Eakins says Gardiner is suffering symptoms consistent with a concussion, though the injury hasn’t been labelled as such.
"He’s got a bunch of issues in his neck and some headaches, so yes it could be symptomatic to a concussion or could be symptomatic to neck pain," Eakins said at practice.
Gardiner, who missed Sunday’s game against Abbotsford, will not dress Saturday in Rochester.
Eakins says the team is taking it slow with Gardiner, who would be playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs if the NHL wasn’t in a lockout.
