4 replies to this topic

[**LS**]

While it may be a stretch to say defenceman John-Michael Liles is on borrowed time with the Maple Leafs, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

 

We’re not suggesting Liles, who has an annual salary cap hit of $3.875-million US through the 2015-16 season, has played his last game as a Leaf. But he has been a healthy scratch for three consecutive games and could be out again on Saturday night in Ottawa against the Senators.

 

Jake Gardiner won’t be with the Toronto Marlies forever, and Morgan Rielly, another slick young defenceman, will be given every chance to make the Leafs out of training camp next September.

 

Read more from Terry Koshan

[kbooks]

Liles, Gunnarsson, Gardiner, Rielly, Percy, Finn, and even Blacker are all puck moving offensive defenseman in the system not to mention Paul Ranger. Gardiner is waiting patiently to get back in the NHL lineup but come next season Rielly will also be in the mix It clearly makes sense for the leafs to clear out a couple of D to make room for the coming elite talented players.

 

I think Liles with his age and contract would be the most logical to move out but he does have a no trade contract that might make moving him a bit more challenging. A Gunnarsson trade is also quite possible once he demonstrates that his nagging hip injury is no longer impeding his play. One also assumes that Komisarek will be bought out if he can't be moved. Of course to move Komisarek Leafs would have to take some salary back as they did with Lombardi and I am sure Nonis would be happy to do that if it helps avoid a buyout. At any rate with the emergence of Kostka, Holzer and Fraser, barring a rash of injuries, there is no spot in the lineup for Komisarek.

 

Changes and moves are coming soon.

[**LS**]

Probably makes more sense to deal Liles off in the summer after the team has finally secured a playoff spot... unless Nonis receives an offer he can't refuse.

[damned]

The list of blueliners the Leafs have is really impressive.

 

No joking from me on this one.

[CoyoteQ]

I would take Liles any day.