Hurricanes GM Don Waddell told Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer that they won't be choosing this option. Gardiner was ruled out for the entirety of the 2021-22 season as a result of the surgeries and was placed on long-term injured reserve. The 31-year-old only played 26 games in the 2020-2021 season due to injuries and recorded eight assists.
Signed to a four-year, $16.2MM contract in 2019, the smooth-skating defenseman will carry a cap hit of $4.05MM next season for the Hurricanes.
With Max Pacioretty set to miss at least the first half of the season due to a torn Achilles, the need to free up short-term cap space isn't as high so Gardiner will now try to earn a spot on Carolina's roster next month in training camp.
