Leafs coach Ron Wilson indicated Friday afternoon that he’ll be going with James Reimer once again.

Reimer had his second shutout this season a couple nights in a 1-0 victory over the Penguins. He’ll get the nod as the Leafs play in Ottawa, their cross-province rivals.

(Liles missed 16 games)
Colby Armstrong and John-Michael Liles will return to the Leafs lineup as Toronto hosts Pittsburgh in the second game of a home-and-home series.

Armstrong has been out of the lineup since December 19 (18 games) with a concussion, while Liles has missed 16 games after an injury concussion he suffered as a result of a punishing bodycheck by Buffalo’s Paul Gaustad on December 22.

In order to make room on the roster, the Leafs returned Nazem Kadri and Keith Aullie to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
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(Leafs defenceman is a key power-play asset)
Toronto announced on Wednesday the signing of defenceman John-Michael Liles to a contract extension.

The deal is believed to be worth $3.875 million a season.

Liles – who is in his first season in a Leafs uniform – has 21 points in 34 games this season, and has been on injury reserve since December 27 due to a concussion.

The move is speculated to be a precursor to a forthcoming Leafs trade involving a defenceman.

Links: TSN.ca | TMLfans discussion board

(Defenceman had been assigned to Marlies, for one game)
One day after Jake Gardiner was sent to the American Hockey League, he was recalled to the Maple Leafs.

The 21-year-old native of Deephaven, Minnesota is expected to play Tuesday when the Leafs host the Ottawa Senators.

Gardiner collected an assist in the Marlies 2-1 loss to the Hamilton Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon. He has registered 10 points in 37 NHL games with Toronto this year.

(Leafs defenceman had been healthy scratch for four games.)
The Maple Leafs announced Sunday that they have assigned defenceman Jake Gardiner to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.

Gardiner had not dressed in the Leafs’ previous four games. In 37 games this season, the 21-year-old native of Deephaven, Minnesota had 10 assists, logging an average 0f 20:32 in ice time per game.

Gardiner was in action for the Marlies’ game versus Hamilton at Copps Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.

The Maple Leafs have placed forward Philippe Dupuis on waivers. In 30 games this season, Dupuis has gone pointless with 16 penalty minutes.

Dupuis was signed by a free agent on July 7, 2011. He had previously played with Colorado, registering 6 goals and 17 points in 86 career games with the Avalanche.

Link: Join the TMLfans.ca discussion on Philippe Dupuis