Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jake Gardiner has been given the green light to play next season, according to team general manager Don Waddell.

During his season report presented Thursday, three days after the elimination of the club, the DG confirmed that the former back of the Toronto Maple Leafs will be able to continue his career. The 31-year-old had surgery on his back and hips, so he missed the entire 2021-2022 season. The “Canes” had granted him a four-year, $ 16.2 million agreement in the summer of 2019.

Since arriving in Carolina, Gardiner has 32 points in 94 regular-season games while posting a -25 rating. It was limited to 26 games in 2020-2021.