As the Toronto Maple Leafs enter the All-Star break, president and general manager Brian Burke's made sure to lock up one of his veterans on a very young team, signing defenceman John-Michael Liles to a four-year, $15.5 million contract extension on Wednesday.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, the deal ensures that the 31-year old blue liner's services are secured through the 2015-16 season.
Liles' extension does feature a modified no-trade clause, and he told reporters on a conference call on Wednesday evening that he was excited about playing for four more years under the bright lights of Toronto.
"It is the centre of the hockey universe," Liles said of the city of Toronto. "For me it's just been a place that I've really enjoyed playing. As far as hockey-wise goes, you can't find a better place to play than that. You know it's going to be a sell out every night and first and foremost, hockey is going to be covered each and every night whether you're playing or whether you're not."
"It feels great. It's a place that's grown very dear to my heart. A place that I was excited about getting traded to this summer and thought that we had a team that could do some special things."
According to Liles, his extension was in the works for 'weeks'. The former University of Michigan prospect revealed that one of the big reasons for staying in Toronto is the mindset of his boss, Brian Burke. The 31-year old told reporters that Burke's drive and determination has appealed to him since day one.
"For me it's been fantastic," Liles said of his time in Toronto. "From management on down, everything about the organization is first class and that's the type of organization you want to play for. You want to play for a guy that's ultimate drive is to win, to win hockey games and to win Stanley Cups. I called my agent after the first meeting at training camp after Burkie stood up and spoke and I told my agent I'd go through a wall for this guy. That's how I feel and that hasn't changed from that first day."
Currently the oldest player on the Leafs' roster, in a close second are Mike Komisarek and Tim Connolly at 30 years of age, Liles has been looked to as a leader on the blue line and a puck-moving defenceman in the wake of Tomas Kaberle being traded one year ago. When the team had players out with injury earlier in the season, Liles was given the honour of wearing an 'A' on his jersey as an alternate captain.
Liles said he relishes the opportunity to play on a young team, but that his fellow veterans and the management have made the Leafs an attractive team to play for.
"I think we have a great dressing room dynamic," Liles said of his teammates. "We have a young team, you can't deny that. But at the same time, I think we've got a great mix of older guys mixed in. Guys that have played a lot of games, guys that have been around. For me coming in, the guys have been just fantastic to play with and I get along with all the guys. I think we have a great dressing room and that starts with our management and continues on down through our coaching staff and to our players. From day one I've said it and I'll continue to say it and it's been a great fit for me."
With John-Michael signed on for four more years, the Leafs have a slew of defencemen on what has become a very crowded blue line. Six defencemen are under contract for next season, while Cody Franson and Keith Aulie are set to hit restricted free agent status this summer, creating the competition of eight defencemen fighting for six spots.
Liles believes that's a nice problem to have and that the competition should bring out the best in his fellow rearguards.
"We've got quite a few numbers back there, but in the overall scheme of things, that's not a bad thing to have." Liles stated. "You're fighting for spots and fighting for playing time and I think it brings out the best in guys. It's not always going to be easy back there, but when injuries do happen, you have that depth to put somebody else in. And that's a good thing to have going forward, especially coming down the stretch and into the playoffs."
Liles has missed the last 15 games with a concussion but is hopeful to return after the All-Star break. Through 34 games played with the Leafs this season, the Zionsville, Indiana has registered four goals and 17 assists for 21 points.
Following the break, Toronto begins a home-and-home series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. On the conference call, Liles gave reporters and update on his condition that has kept him out of the lineup for over a month and whether he might make a return in Pittsburgh.
"It's coming along," Liles explained. "I don't wan't to term it a 'concussion' because it's been a bunch of different factors. We've been working a lot on my neck which I think has led to some concussion-like symptoms, and that's where we've been at on a whiplash basis more than anything."
"I hope so," he added when asked about a return vs. Pittsburgh "We're kind of going day by day. I'm trying to be ready as soon as I possibly can and that's been my mindset from day one."
The American born rearguard was acquired by Burke and the Leafs on Jun. 24, 2011, the day of the 2011 NHL Draft. Swinging a deal with the Colorado Avalanche, Burke acquired Liles in exchange for a second-round draft pick in the 2012 Draft.
In 557 career games with the Leafs and Colorado, Liles has registered 296 points (72 goals, 224 assists) along with 230 penalty minutes. The Avs originally selected Liles in the fifth round (159th overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
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