Randy Carlyle wants to set the record straight.

Speaking with reporters prior to Monday's match between the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs, the former Leafs bench boss clarified, "Jake Gardiner, people said that there was a relationship that was strained. They're crazy. It was not strained at all.

"The issue was more of a young defenseman cutting his teeth, and now you're seeing more of a finished product, and that's great for them."

Gardiner, 26, broke into the league under Carlyle, making his NHL debut during the 2011-12 season. It also marked Carlyle's first season in Toronto, who came on as a midseason replacement for fired head coach Ron Wilson. That season, Gardiner finished with an impressive 30-point rookie campaign.

Carlyle, who now mans the bench in Anaheim, recounted the several faces still with the Maple Leafs since he spent part of four seasons behind the Toronto bench. Aside from Gardiner, that list includes forwards Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk, and Nazem Kadri, plus defenseman Morgan Rielly.

Oh, and netminder Jonathan Bernier, who followed Carlyle to Anaheim.

Bernier also spoke with reporters on Sunday but could not confirm if he would get the start in goal versus his former club. Bernier, who spent three seasons with the Maple Leafs, has appeared in 13 games with the Ducks this season, posting a 6-2-1 record alongside a .901 save percentage.

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