I ask because with the rise of Kostka, Fraser and Holzer, and the impending return of Gardiner, I don't see where Liles and Komisarek fit on this team. Komisarek, this is nothing new, and while he will fare better under a defensive minded coach in Carlyle, he still doesn't bring enough bang for the buck. With Percy, Reilly, and Finn in the pipeline, somethings got to give.
Can't believe I'm saying it, but I'm not really finding a lot of value in Liles now either. Not sure if there is another issue here, but I haven't found him to be nearly as effective as he was prior to his concussion last season. I know a concussion is a very serious injury, but that was more than a year ago, and for the money that he was re-signed for, I can see this being a bad contract as well. Not sure why Burke felt the over-whelming desire to re-sign him before he had even returned from his injury. If Burke had left things, Liles would be an expiring contract, and would have been a pretty sought-after commodity at the Trade Deadline. Not so sure he is now, though.
Who is tradeable, and who is more likely to be bought out?
BB
The Leafs have no cap issues, so Mike could sit for the remainder of the season and then get the friendly buyout at seasons end.
Liles may have more trade value but again he could be a candidate for the second buyout. On Hockey Central, they mentioned the Red Wings have major issues on defense with the recent retirements of key players on the back end, Lilies could be a player they'd have interest in. If the Leafs only interest is to move his body out, we'd be lucky to get a 2nd back, I believe that's what was given to acquire him.
I really don't understand the hate for Liles. All of his minutes are going to Kostka. And what's this "rise of Kostka"??
Put Liles in a position to succeed, where he can use his strengths, and he'd be doing well.
I would keep Liles, trade Komi if possible. It appears they are not going to let either one of these guys use their offensive skills and I think Liles is the better straight defender.
Maybe they could package the two of them together and get something back?
BleedsBlue wrote:
I guess you must have missed the numerous times he has bailed out his slow-footed partner and stopped breakaways?
No, plays like that aren't game changers.
Liles is FAR more tradeable.
But why would we want to trade a good second pairing D-Man?
We need those.
Liles by a country mile.
Not in a hurry to move a PMD....a pretty good one at that.
Gardiner isn't playing and I think you need two at least.
I would think about dealing him when Rielly becomes a Full-timer.........
Liles, and it is not even close. Plenty of teams could use a guy like Liles, who is averaging over 20 minutes a night this season with the Leafs and is playing some really good hockey. I don't know if people having the image of Liles playing in the 2nd half of last season planted in their heads, because he has been just as effective as the 1st half of last season, although he has been scoring slightly less points than he was at that time. Defensively he has been solid, he has bailed out his partner more often then not. No way would I trade Liles at this point, we need his sturdiness and his veteran leadership. Plus, he is the perfect guy to help Gardiner and Rielly develop further.
Komi regularly sits in the pressbox and I'd be shocked if he has played one game over 16 minutes this season. He has literally no value, at all. He'll be bought out without a question, and signed by another team for the league minimum. He's been surpassed by Fraser on the depth chart, who provides everything that Komi was supposed to bring. Steady, physical guy who can log some quality minutes. Holzer has been logging over 20 minutes the past 3 games (mainly paired with Phaneuf) showing that he has surpassed Komi as well. So that makes Komi the... 9th option we have? Phaneuf, Gunnar, Gardiner, Liles, Holzer, Fraser, Franson, Kostka, and then Komi. Yikes.
Liles can get us a first/second rounder. Id keep Komisarek, he's played well under Carlyle and I like our defence being big and tough.
I wouldn't trade Liles just yet though, we have Gardiner and Rielly, but they still need time to develop.
Trading them would be premature.
BlueMountain wrote:
This exactly.
I thought Liles played great against Winnipeg, if he is finally rounding into form I see no need to move him. He is an effective d man when he is healthy and paid a fair salary for his contributions. I'd like to see him on the top pp pairing though.
Liles is a good d-man IMO
Adjusting to a new coach, new style, new d-mates, and getting back into form after the concussion
Komisarek - we'd have to give him away and/or take another bad (although short term) contract back most likely
Komisarek is more tradeable.
I don't think either player has a lot of value, but Liles contract has a lot of term left.
I have no idea what Burke was drinking the week he decided to extend Liles while he was out with a serious and uncertain injury.
CuttingEdge wrote:
Brian had tremendous faith in this player.
I think Liles is quite bright, and has lots to offer this young Leaf team.
But the contract?
A combination of a very strong start and equally important: a reward for his outstanding commitment to community work.
Well thats nice and all but Brians responsibility was the on ice product and I think he got too caught up in the off ice stuff.
The TML label does not need to be sold......the only missing thing is winning.
I agree with you on all of the above but from the business standpoint, I thought it was poor timing (along with extending Wilson)
