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It has become an inevitability that the Maple Leafs will need to move some of their highly over paid talent.  What remains unclear is whether or not any one will be shipped out before the NHL trade deadline on April 3.

 

The two most likely to be moved are veteran defencemen Mike Komisarek, and  John-Michael Liles. Sunday brought about rumors that Komisarek has requested a trade out of Toronto, apparently giving the Leafs a list of teams he would be willing to go to.  He has  played in just four games this season (healthy scratched more often than not) and as the owner of a no-movement clause in his  $4.5 million (U.S.) contract he is a difficult player to move.

“It must be a slow news day,” he said after Maple Leafs practice on Sunday

“I won’t comment on those types of unsubstantiated (reports),” he continued speaking of the trade request rumours. “I understand it’s part of the business but I’m not sure where you guys (the media) get your information from.”

 

Head Coach Randy Carlyle has had success so far this season with players like Cody Franson, Mark Fraser and Mike Kostka leaving the two veterans as spectators more than their price tag would lead one to think.

 

St. Louis, Dallas and Philadelphia are all reported to have had interest in Komisarek but apparently only if Toronto is willing to share some of his salary(under the guidelines in the new CBA).

 

Komisarek has sat as a healthy scratch since Feb. 2. According to Carlyle, the veteran hasn’t uttered a single negative word about it.

“You want to contribute of course, you don’t want to be a passenger,” Komisarek said. “You have to be ready when the opportunity comes . . . when and where it comes who knows.”

 

Toronto has two compliance buyouts that won’t count against the salary cap under the new CBA, and it’s been long speculated Toronto would exercise that option with Komisarek and Liles if other efforts fall through.

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