Hahahhahaha. I highly doubt that Gardiner is going to be signed here, Stelar.
If that did happen as you state, then....yeah that would be two....nay....three steps back. However, with Edler re-signed, Hughes, and most likely Juolevi taking spots on the defense this season, the need for another puckmoving defenseman will exist, but not one as defensively porous as Gardiner.
Factor in Benning's comments about St. Louis' size on the blueline, and Gardiner is less and less likely a possibility, in my humble opinion.