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After a summer spending spree and then the extensions for restricted free agents, the Toronto Maple Leafs had some work to do to try to become cap compliant before the season begins this week. One move to get there was trading Joe Colborne to Calgary for a draft pick but that wasn't all they did. The Maple Leafs also waived defenseman John-Michael Liles.
Liles had become a target of speculation whether it was trade chatter or the possibility of him being waived. The Maple Leafs have a full defensive corps already and Liles was an odd man out, especially with his $3.875 million salary cap hit.
Liles did play in 32 games last season with two goals and nine assists but saw action in just four playoff games. With the addition of Paul Ranger to the big club, it pretty much cemented Liles' future. He's likely to clear waivers with his contract hit for another three years beeing less than attractive and stay in Toronto to play for the AHL Marlies.
His waiver does make room for a seventh defenseman in young Morgan Reilly to get time with the big club in Toronto. They're really excited about his future and so they will likely see what it is he can do.
With teams scrambling to get down to the 23-man roster limit, Liles was not alone in getting his waiver papers on Sunday, fellow Leafs defensemen Korbainen Holzer and T.J. Brennan were also waived. In total 37 players have been placed on waivers (s/t to PHT). Here are some of the noteable additions to the wire.
Stu Bickel
Darroll Powe
Troy Bodie
Joey Crabb
Cam Janssen
Cory Emmerton
Andrew Ebbett
Adam Pardy
Jeff Schultz
Alexander Sulzer
