The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenceman John-Michael Liles to a four-year extension, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reported on Wednesday .
The veteran blueliner will pass up the chance at free agency this summer with a new four-year deal worth US$15.5-million. The cap hit will be $3.875 million over the term of the contract.
“We’ve been talking (about a contract extension) for a few weeks now,” Liles told Tim & Sid on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Wednesday.
“After the first few months of the season — being around the guys in the room and seeing how amazing the organization was and the fans in the city of Toronto — my agent and I discussed it and we thought if there was an opportunity to extend with Toronto that we would love to do that.”
Liles said that his confidence in Leafs general manager Brian Burke was a major reason he decided to forgo unrestricted free agency.
“I got dealt here last summer and went into it kind of unsure exactly what to expect,” Liles said “I remember calling my agent after the first meeting we had and Burkie had stood up and spoke, and I remember calling my agent and saying ‘I would go through a wall for that guy.'”
“He’s a great leader; I think he’s got a great team around him; (head coach Ron Wilson) and the coaching staff have been fantastic for myself and I think … they’ve got us heading in the right track.”
Liles has 21 points in 34 games this season with Toronto and says he is close to returning to the lineup.
The Leafs have missed the veteran puck-moving defenceman on the power play since he was placed on the injured reserve on Dec. 23 with concussion-like symptoms. He has been skating with the team and is said to be close to returning to the lineup.
Liles was acquired in an off-season deal with Colorado in exchange for a second-round pick.
In 557 career NHL games with the Avalanche and Leafs, he has 72 goals and 296 points.
The Maple Leafs, who enter the all-star break with two straight wins, will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in their next game on Jan. 31.
