The Carolina Hurricanes placed defenseman Jake Gardiner on waivers Saturday for the purpose of sending him to their taxi squad, according to team writer Michael Smith.

Gardiner has played only two of the Hurricanes' last eight games, and head coach Rod Brind'Amour said earlier this week the blue-liner has been dealing with a back issue. The move will give the team salary-cap flexibility while Gardiner is out of the lineup, notes Smith.

The 30-year-old rearguard carries a $4.05-million cap hit through 2022-23. He inked a four-year, $16.2-million pact with Carolina in September 2019.

Gardiner is in his second campaign with the Hurricanes after eight with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He's collected seven points - all assists - across 17 contests this season.

Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.