John-Michael Liles, Compliance Buyout?

[Stephen]

Let me begin by saying the guy sucks the bag more than a lobotomized Tomas Kaberle. Maybe it's a result of his concussion last year, maybe it's because he's a tiny 32 year old defenseman on the downside of his career, so we can't fault our senior citizens for not being able to win puck battles in the corner, win a foot race to get to an icing, or be fit to quarterback a powerplay over a career minor leaguer or head up the transition game.

Whatever it is, Liles probably shouldn't have gotten that sweet retirement package Burke handed out last year. That said, do we buy him out in the offseason? Do we make sure to ship him out if possible during the deadline? What do you do with a pint of a guy like this?

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[MakeTheIronSing]

lame

 

[SteveV*]

I tend to agree he's a buyout possibility. In Liles defence, not exactly a confidence boost when your coach gives a career AHLer 25 minutes a game, first PP duty and you barely play. Carlyle hasn't used Liles the right way IMHO and it shows , looks timid, afraid and unsure.

 

[Stephen]

I tend to agree he's a buyout possibility. In Liles defence, not exactly a confidence boost when your coach gives a career AHLer 25 minutes a game, first PP duty and you barely play. Carlyle hasn't used Liles the right way IMHO and it shows , looks timid, afraid and unsure.

Sure, but I'm sure Carlyle has his reasons for not playing Liles as much as he's accustomed to, and if this is a challenge to improve, as a veteran, his push back is woeful. Seems like one of those end of the line Tim Connolly situations to be frank.

 

[SteveV*]

Sure, but I'm sure Carlyle has his reasons for not playing Liles as much as he's accustomed to, and if this is a challenge to improve, as a veteran, his push back is woeful. Seems like one of those end of the line Tim Connolly situations to be frank.

I can't think of another time where a career AHLer has made a team and become top pair D AND top PP guy. I question Carlyle's decision making process there and I'm sure others do as well. What a slap in the face for a guy who has proven he is a legit PP defenceman.

 

[JackJ]

Like Kessel, needs another system on another team.

 

[Moncherry]

Let me begin by saying the guy sucks the bag more than a lobotomized Tomas Kaberle. Maybe it's a result of his concussion last year, maybe it's because he's a tiny 32 year old defenseman on the downside of his career, so we can't fault our senior citizens for not being able to win puck battles in the corner, win a foot race to get to an icing, or be fit to quarterback a powerplay over a career minor leaguer or head up the transition game.

Whatever it is, Liles probably shouldn't have gotten that sweet retirement package Burke handed out last year. That said, do we buy him out in the offseason? Do we make sure to ship him out if possible during the deadline? What do you do with a pint of a guy like this?

His speed is not a problem, and being second-string to Kostka on the PP isn't his fault at all. Especially since he's easily better than him.

He got that contract because before his concussion he was easily our best defenseman.

 

[blue82]

sadly i agree with this thread..if liles cant assist the PP he brings absolutely nothing to the table

 

[TieClark]

Not even close. This D is horrible as is... you don't buy out a veteran guy who despite what you might think has been very good all year minus last night. Not a chance he gets bought out.... like 0.

 

[-DeMo-]

you deffinitly exhaust all trade options before buying him out. having said that I don't think you buy him out this summer but the summer after, wait aslong as you can to see if another team gets desparate. not like he will be holding back any young guys since Rielly and Gardiner probably take Kostka, Franson, Holzer or Fraser's spot next year. as there worst then Liles imo. he should have been dealt at the deadline last year along with Grabo.

 

[Chandrashekhar Limit]

If he continues to play like this through next year, and no one wants him, then yea, I think he is a major candidate to be bought out.

Not this summer thought. You give him one more year to show what he can do.

 

[29Potvins]

The amount of hyberbole on the Leafs board is unbearable.

 

[Pi]

It's painfully obvious Liles is not being used properly but I think he deserves not being on the PP if he sucks bad on ES. He was never good in his zone, we all knew that already.

He was brought in to be a PP specialist.

He is still very tradable... he only makes 3.8M. They just need to showcase him a bit more...Flyers need offense from their D, maybe he'll fit their run and gun system.

If not buy out Komisarek and Liles, save a lot of space....throw everything at Corey Perry.

Also, I think Carlyle is right in not using Liles on the PP. He said two days ago...he wants everyone to earn their ice time. Clearly Liles isn't working hard enough to earn that PP time..

 

[dcervi*]

damn hes been useless, like many others so far this year

 

[mcleex]

Play him on the PP instead of those 2 useless ***** Phaneuf and Kostka and maybe he'll start racking up some assists

 

[Stephen]

you deffinitly exhaust all trade options before buying him out. having said that I don't think you buy him out this summer but the summer after, wait aslong as you can to see if another team gets desparate. not like he will be holding back any young guys since Rielly and Gardiner probably take Kostka, Franson, Holzer or Fraser's spot next year. as there worst then Liles imo. he should have been dealt at the deadline last year along with Grabo.

I like the idea of buying him out in 2014.

 

[bobermay]

liles has been fine....

 

[Pi]

Do people really want Morgan Rielly to play in this mess right now?

I want the Leafs to revamp their entire D besides Phaneuf (If he is willing to take ~5.5M because 6M+ is frankly too much for him) and Gardiner.

Gunnarsson could be traded and holds much more value than Liles/Franson etc.

Liles/Franson/Kostka/Fraser/Holzer/Komisarek are all huge pylons.

 

[Sokil]

i like the idea of using the com buyout on him

trade phaneuf next year at the deadline, too.

 

[Leaf Rocket]

He's fine. This team in general is struggling. If this persist till mid next season we can barter him off easily.

 

[leafsfuture]

This is absolute idiocracy.

If we buy him out who do we bring in? Our remaining D core would be: Phaneuf, Gardiner, Komisarek, Franson, Gunnarsson, Fraser, Kostka. Out of that group only Phaneuf, Gardiner and Gunnar are able to handle 20+ minutes a game.

Liles has probably been our best two-way defenceman this year (not saying much but its true). He moves the puck well, is strong on his feet, and along with Gunnar is the only guy who isnt prone to fumbling the puck in the d-zone

 

[HockeyGuruPitka]

Liles hasnt really done anything wrong... He really should be on the first PP unit however is getting shafted by Carlyle. This forum is so bi-polar its incredible. Why do we think no one wants our players? Because no one stands behind them.

 

[snizzbone*]

Liles has been far from terrible this season.

 

[K19*]

He got that contract because before his concussion he was easily our best defenseman.

Liles had the concussion in December and was then re-signed on January 25. He returned from his concussion a week later. It was a horrible signing at the time, and even more so now. He and Komi (or Lupul) ought to be buyout candidates.

 

[CincoHolio]

The amount of hyberbole on the Leafs board is unbearable.

It's a Toronto thing, I think. Raps board at RealGM is the same.