Leafs Acquire John-Michael Liles

[thepolishkid88]

Brian Burke, President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Friday that the team has acquired defenceman John-Michael Liles from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. The second round pick was previously acquired by the Maple Leafs from the Boston Bruins as part of the Tomas Kaberle trade.

Liles, 30, appeared in 76 games with the Avalanche last season, collecting six goals and a career-high 40 assists for 46 points with 35 penalty minutes. He led Colorado in assists (tie) and blocked shots (153), was second in average ice-time per game (22:00), and led all Avalanche defencemen in scoring for the fifth consecutive season. The 5-10, 185-pound defenceman set an NHL record for the longest assist streak by a defenceman to start a season (nine games), and was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week for the period ending November 21.

In 523 career NHL games from 2003 to 2011, Liles has registered 275 points (68 goals, 207 assists) and 218 penalty minutes all with Colorado. He has also played 36 playoff games in that span, notching four goals, seven assists, 11 points and 16 penalty minutes. Liles was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie team in 2003-04. The native of Indianapolis, Indiana was originally Colorado’s eighth choice (fifth round), 159th overall, in the 2000 Entry Draft.

Liles played 163 games over four seasons (1999-2003) for the Michigan State Spartans, accumulating 138 points (44 goals, 94 assists) with 118 penalty minutes. He was a Hobey Baker Award finalist in 2003, named an All-American and to the CCHA’s First All-Star Team in two consecutive seasons (2001-03), and became the first two-time winner of the CCHA’s Best Offensive Defenseman Award in that same span.

[grits207]

Should be a decent replacement for Kaberle, and giving up a 2nd is a lot better than overpaying for somebody like Pitkanen in free agency, and if he doesn't work out his contract comes off the books at the end of next season.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by grits207

Should be a decent replacement for Kaberle, and giving up a 2nd is a lot better than overpaying for somebody like Pitkanen in free agency, and if he doesn't work out his contract comes off the books at the end of next season.

Just the start for the Leafs today. Lots more coming, especially if everything starts going to plan. This was trade #1.

[The DZA]

The Leafs were trying to get him last year. Im not sure if it was Toronto or Colorado who caved this time around to the other teams demands.

[grits207]

Originally Posted by The DZA

The Leafs were trying to get him last year. Im not sure if it was Toronto or Colorado who caved this time around to the other teams demands.

The rumor at the deadline was Colorado wanted the 1st round pick Toronto got from Philly but Burke was only willing to give up a 2nd. I'm not sure if this is really a case of either team caving so much as it's a case of Colorado realizing they might as well trade Liles now while he still has decent value instead of losing him for nothing next summer. Also, Liles is coming off a concussion so that may have made the Avs drop their asking price a bit.

Glad to hear the pick isn't until 2012 so the Leafs still have three picks in the top 40 this year.

[NYR36]

Good pick up.
Keep it going Burke.

Is it wrong that I only cheer for the Leafs to make the playoffs to cheer against them once it starts? Nothing like a Leaf playoff series. And seeing how I'm from T.O.

[Perrott26]

Kaberle for Liles, Colborne, 30th overall.

[leafs_fan77]

To be honest, I'm not really that familiar with Liles but it seems to be a real good trade to replace Kaberle.

[grits207]

Originally Posted by Perrott26

Kaberle for Liles, Colborne, 30th overall.

Better yet...

Tomas Kaberle
Kris Versteeg
Francois Beauchemin

for

John-Michael Liles
Joe Colborne
Boston’s 1st (30th) in 2011
Philadelphia’s 1st (25th) in 2011
Philadelphia’s 3rd round pick in 2011
Joffrey Lupul
Jake Gardiner
Conditional 4th round draft pick from Anaheim in 2013

[avamania2003]

Avs need defense and they trade away their best one ! WTF ! Not happy camper right now ! Which means they are gonna take Larsson at 2 assuming oilers take RNH ! When they should be taking Landeskog !

[papas1175]

Originally Posted by avamania2003

Avs need defense and they trade away their best one ! WTF ! Not happy camper right now ! Which means they are gonna take Larsson at 2 assuming oilers take RNH ! When they should be taking Landeskog !

was that you calling on nhl live? someone just said the same act thing you said

[avamania2003]

Originally Posted by papas1175

was that you calling on nhl live? someone just said the same act thing you said

HAHAHAHAHA no it wasn't me lol !

[grits207]

Originally Posted by avamania2003

Avs need defense and they trade away their best one ! WTF ! Not happy camper right now ! Which means they are gonna take Larsson at 2 assuming oilers take RNH ! When they should be taking Landeskog !

They could always take a D with the 11th overall pick instead of the 2nd overall. There should still be some very good d-men available after the top 10 like Duncan Siemens or Jamieson Oleksiak.

[Canes13]

Looks like the Avs are going full rebuild. Nice pickup for the Leafs.

[skacore]

Great pick up for the Leafs for only Boston's 2nd rounder. Leafs get a PMD they lacked in Kaberle's absence and don't give up anything doing so. With so many D, you have to think the Leafs may move one to acquire a forward.