He’s not Jake Gardiner, but if the slumping Maple Leafs could use a puck-moving defenseman -- and some think they really could -- John-Michael Liles qualifies.
Liles will be back in Toronto’s lineup for the first time since Feb. 16 tonight when the Leafs look to snap a three-game losing skid at home to streaking Pittsburgh. The 32-year-old will reportedly replace rookie Mike Kostka.
Despite the fact Liles is in the first year of a four-year, $15.5 million contract extension, he’s been a healthy scratch by head coach Randy Carlyle the past 12 games.