Globe and Mail: John-Michael Liles looking like Leafs’ odd-man out

[hockeywiz542]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...oking-like-leafs-odd-man-out/article14580573/

He is the latest in a line of Toronto Maple Leafs defencemen who have found themselves on the outside looking in.

First Jeff Finger and his $3.5-million contract were sent to the minors, where he suffered a concussion after 54 games and his hockey career ended, at age 32.

Then Mike Komisarek and his $4.5-million cap hit were banished to the Toronto Marlies last season, albeit briefly.

And now John-Michael Liles – the oldest member of a young Leafs squad and a player who has spent just five games in the AHL in his career – appears to be in the organization’s crosshairs.

With the Leafs cap situation ultra-tight and several members of management talking about carrying a bare bones, 20-man roster, there doesn’t appear to be any room for Liles’s $3.875-million deal.

He has been in the lineup in just two of seven preseason games to date and has skated in recent practises without a regular partner.

Even though Liles has three years remaining on his contract and the Leafs will get only $925,000 in cap relief by sending him to the Marlies – barring a last minute trade or roster move – he is expected to be placed on waivers by Sunday’s deadline.

Given his salary, lack of minutes played in recent years and the tough cap situation around the league, it’s unlikely he would be claimed.

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[Mess]

This should come as a surprise to no one.

 

[Magic Man]

I sure hope not.

If the Leafs complianced Liles and used a normal buyout on Komisarek more cap space could have been saved for this season and next even if he ends up in the minors, while the term of the buyout would have only been 2 years instead of 3, or 5 if they end up using a normal buyout on Liles next season. They also wouldn't have had to bury a great pro, both parties could have moved on, Liles could have gotten a new contract in the NHL elsewhere while the Leafs would have had more cap space in the short and long term.

Would have saved an extra 755K this year and that's with Liles in the minors.

 

[Mess]

I sure hope not.

If the Leafs complianced Liles and used a normal buyout on Komisarek more cap space could have been saved for this season and next even if he ends up in the minors, while the term of the buyout would have only been 2 years instead of 3, or 5 if they end up using a normal buyout on Liles next season. They also wouldn't have had to bury a great pro, both parties could have moved on, Liles could have gotten a new contract in the NHL elsewhere while the Leafs would have had more cap space in the short and long term.

Would have saved an extra 755K this year and that's with Liles in the minors.

With one major difference .. Buying out Komisarek on a regular buyout would have had a $2.1 mil cap hit for the Leafs to pay him to play in Carolina this year.

While its true that +$755k extra cap space (Liles at -$925k less while in the AHL) would have been created, he is still in the organization and can still be recalled and used in case of injury to the parent team.. Komisarek is a dead cost static at $2.1 mil under your buyout scenario suggestion.

That said, I personally would have bought-out all 3 of Grabs, Liles and Komisarek exactly as you have suggested (had actually posted that before any buyouts occurred) and gotten rid of all those inherited mistakes in the best interest of the Leafs going forward to clean up the mess. Its a shame Liles is still around and negatively effecting the Leafs still, and wish he was someone else's headache.

 

[Im Old Gregggg]

Feel bad for treatment, he's still an NHL talent and a professional class act

 

[cannucky]

maybe Burke will take him of our hands , he likes him so much and he has room to carry him . I kinda thought he and Nonis might have already put a deal together for after Franson caved in to the squeeze play him and Kadri got caught in .

 

[HellasLEAF]

this is the NHL

he's locked up for for year's multi millions

he'll be fine.

 

[Kurisu]

not liking how management has treated these guys recently with the RFA resignings and resigning our pending UFAs to just waive, buying them out after one year. Don't tell me that these guys are millionaires and to suck it up.

 

[driver3000]

not liking how management has treated these guys recently with the RFA resignings and resigning our pending UFAs to just waive, buying them out after one year. Don't tell me that these guys are millionaires and to suck it up.

The previous GM was loyal beyond belief to all his players. I like that Nonis and co are doing things with a bit more of a cutthroat mentality. Team first, feelings second.

 

[Cor]

Globe and Mail: Quality writing since never.

 

[showtime8]

not liking how management has treated these guys recently with the RFA resignings and resigning our pending UFAs to just waive, buying them out after one year. Don't tell me that these guys are millionaires and to suck it up.

What do you mean recently?

This has happened for a while now.

And yes, it does suck to lose your job, regardless of what it is. But I think people are pointing out that they will be better off than an average person.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Sportsnet.ca: John-Michael Liles likely to lose his spot on Leafs

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/john-michael-liles-likely-to-lose-his-spot-on-the-maple-leafs/

TORONTO – No one is saying much about John-Michael Liles around the Toronto Maple Leafs right now. He played in just two of six pre-season games before getting left behind again on Friday when the team travelled to Detroit. And with the final training camp cuts looming, that probably isn’t a good sign for the veteran defenceman.

Even more telling was coach Randy Carlyle’s refusal to offer up an assessment of the 32-year-old’s performance over the last few weeks.

“The feelings that are inside the management and the coach’s office should be left there,” Carlyle said after the morning skate at the Air Canada Centre. “We know there are tough decisions coming. We think that some people have separated themselves both positively and negatively.”

Read into that what you will, but it hardly seems like Liles has been given much of an opportunity to separate himself. And if he isn’t among the six—or possibly seven—defencemen to make the team, he’s almost certain to become the latest in a long line of well-paid Toronto Marlies. Of course, he would have to clear waivers before getting sent to the American Hockey League but it’s hard to imagine any other team taking on a contract with three years and $11.25-million remaining on it, especially with a good portion of the league feeling the cap crunch.

Liles would have to be placed on the waiver wire either Saturday or Sunday.

If he is sent to the minors, the Leafs would only receive cap relief for $925,000 of his $3.875-million salary, but they need every bit they can get right now. The team is carrying 10 defencemen among the 32 players still in camp—some have been forced to change on folding chairs in the cramped dressing room—and must pare the roster down to 23 or less by Monday afternoon.

 

[Man Bear Pig]