If there is a relationship to watch over the first few months of the Maple Leafs’ season, it will be the one that develops between star-in-waiting defenceman Jake Gardiner and new assistant coach Steve Spott.

Not usually the most talkative of Leaf players, Gardiner was fairly chatty Wednesday, a day after inking a $20.25 million (U.S.) deal that should keep the sleek-skating blueliner in a Toronto jersey well into his prime.

And while he praised coach Randy Carlyle’s “tough love” approach, Gardiner also chatted an awful lot about Spott, the former Marlies head coach who has a reputation of being a nice guy, the kind a player can confide in.

“Steve Spott called a week or two ago, just checked in and introduced himself,” said Gardiner in a phone interview from his home in Minnesota. “I have heard a lot of good things about him; most of the Marlies seem to love him.

“He’s a really positive guy and a good guy to have around the locker room.”

Imagine that — a Leafs coach the players can love. The two regimes that Gardiner has played under since arriving in the NHL — first Ron Wilson’s and now Carlyle’s — have been prickly and old-school in their approach to younger players.

Nazem Kadri was a whipping boy for Wilson; Gardiner found himself singled out frequently by Carlyle.

Those close to Carlyle say the coach was trying to coax the most out of Gardiner. Those close to Gardiner said the young player was flummoxed by not knowing where he stood — sometimes top minutes, sometimes benched.

Carlyle has a new coaching staff — Spott and Peter Horachek — as the Leafs looked for a new personality mix and a fresh approach with the players, with “communication” most likely the buzzword when training camp begins.

“It is huge to know where you’re at, and where you stand with the team,” said Gardiner. “It is never easy when you don’t know where you stand or if you’re going to be in and out of the lineup. It is nice to have those kind of coaches that you can go to, and talk to, and find things out.

“I felt it was pretty good last year. But the Marlies guys are saying he (Spott) is good to talk to. It will be more open.”

As for Carlyle, Gardiner says he and the coach get along fine and that the tough love Carlyle showed should pay off.

“He is a coach that likes to push his players and get the most out of them,” Gardiner said. “I think that was what he was doing with me.

“I have a lot more potential than what I’ve been doing. I think (Carlyle’s approach was) good for me. It will help me down the road.”

Gardiner said the team offered him two contracts: A shorter deal to bridge him closer to free agency and the five-year deal he opted for.

It was his choice.

“I am happy to be a Leaf for a really long time,” said Gardiner. “That was a big part of it . . . commitment. I thought having five years and the money was awesome. The security for me was good. It just shows the leafs have a lot of faith in me.”

Gardiner will head to Toronto near the end of August; he and fellow defenceman Morgan Rielly will be looking for a place to share.

The pair were kicked out of their condo earlier this summer when its owner — Matt Frattin — returned to the Leafs in a trade with Columbus.

“We’re fine with it because we get Frattin back,” Gardiner said.

Most significantly for him is the revamped blue line, with Carl Gunnarsson traded for Roman Polak and veteran Stephane Robidas acquired as a free agent. Polak, Robidas and Cody Franson are all right-handed shots.

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Last season, Franson was the only right-hander playing the right side (although captain Dion Phaneuf, a lefty, seems to prefer the right side).

“Overall it’s good to get more right-handed defenceman in our backend,” said Gardiner. “It is good to even that out. It was tough. Also up front bringing Frattin and (Leo) Komarov back — they were a big part of our team that year we went into the playoffs.

“There are a lot of additions, I really like what we’ve done.”

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