Former Leafs Darcy Tucker and Jake Gardiner Make An Appearance At Most Recent Game Vs. Bruins
It was a mix of early and late 2000s on Tuesday night, as Maple Leafs alumni Darcy Tucker and Jake Gardiner made an appearance together at Scotiabank Arena.
Although they never really got a chance to play together, Maple Leafs alumni Darcy Tucker and Jake Gardiner made an appearance during Toronto's game against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. It was a great nostalgia trip to see some of the Maple Leafs fan favorites once again at the arena they spent so much time in.
If that wasn't enough, fans had the opportunity to meet Tucker and take a photo with him during the game; a great chance for old and new fans to grab a memory that'll last a lifetime. It also looks like Tucker himself was more than happy to oblige fans as well:
Darcy Tucker, a mainstay for the Maple Leafs for nearly a decade, excited and enthralled fans with his mix of playmaking, scoring, defense, and relentless aggressiveness that made him a household name in Toronto. A 20+ goal scorer six times in his career, he patrolled the left wing often with captain Mats Sundin and provided the Swedish superstar with not only offensive help but protection on the ice. Tucker would fight anyone and anything, and it gave Toronto a boost every time he stepped on the ice.
Tucker finished his career with Colorado and finished his career with 476 points and over 1400 PIM. While he may not be in the Hall of Fame, he's in the Hall of Very Good; and deserves more recognition for what he brought to the team.
Jake Gardiner, was drafted by Anaheim but made his way to Toronto in a trade that included Joffrey Lupul for Maple Leafs defenseman Francois Beauchemin and became a fixture for the team from 2011-2019. Often criticized for his defensive ability, there was no question Gardiner helped the Maple Leafs offensively and was one of the better offensive blueliners at the time.
His best season came in 2017-2018 when he registered 52 points while playing in all 82 games. Gardiner finished his most recent season with Carolina in 2020-2021 and is still currently a free agent. He has 277 points in 645 career games and was a key piece in Toronto's lineup during some very down times.
It's always great to see former players come back and check out how the new team is faring, and both Tucker and Gardiner have to be impressed so far as they look at the players they both paved the way for to wear the blue and white.
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