The Maple Leafs placed John-Michael Liles, Trevor Smith, Korbinian Holzer, TJ Brennan, Troy Bodie and Drew MacIntyre on waivers at noon today. If they clear by noon tomorrow, all will join the Toronto Marlies.
Liles has been waived to save $925,000 of his $3,875,000 on the cap, which could be used to keep Morgan Rielly with the team, at least for the first nine games. It is not out of the question yet, should Rielly get sent to junior after 9 games, that Liles could return to the top 7 with the big club.
Carter Ashton looks to have grabbed a spot for opening night thanks to a great effort throughout camp. Jamie Devane may stick around to replace Frazer McLaren if he isn’t ready to play due to his pinky injury. This would require placing McLaren on the long term injury reserve. If not, Devane is on an entry-level deal and can be sent down or recalled at any time. Same goes for Ashton.
The #leafs are still finalizing roster plans behind the scenes. Morgan Rielly hasn’t been told yet if he’s staying or going.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 29, 2013
Here’s what the Leafs are roughly looking at for an opening day roster:
Note: Morgan Rielly’s cap hit is, effectively, not the full amount due to the bonus cushion.
FORWARDS
James Van Riemsdyk ($4.250m) / Tyler Bozak ($4.200m) / Phil Kessel ($5.400m)
Joffrey Lupul ($5.250m) / Nazem Kadri ($2.900m) / Nikolai Kulemin ($2.800m)
Mason Raymond ($1.000m) / Dave Bolland ($3.375m) / Carter Ashton ($1.040m)
Frazer McLaren ($0.700m) [IR] / Jay McClement ($1.500m) / Colton Orr ($0.925m)
David Clarkson ($5.250m) [suspended]
DEFENSEMEN
Dion Phaneuf ($6.500m) / Carl Gunnarsson ($3.150m)
Jake Gardiner ($1.117m) / Cody Franson ($2.000m)
Mark Fraser ($1.275m) / Paul Ranger ($1.000m)
Morgan Rielly ($1.744m)
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Bernier ($2.900m)
James Reimer ($1.800m)
OTHER
Buyout: Darcy Tucker ($1.000m)
Buyout: Colby Armstrong ($1.000m)
Buried: John-Michael Liles ($2.950m)
RETAINED SALARY TRANSACTIONS (0.778% of upper limit)
Matt Frattin ($0.437m—0.5%) Ben Scrivens ($0.062m—0.1%)
——
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $65,525,833; BONUSES: $1,350,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $124,167
