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Leafs’ Liles, Kings’ Schultz clear waivers, head to AHL

jmlilesgetty

In different ways, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John-Michael Liles and Los Angeles Kings blueliner Jeff Schultz are victims of the numbers game. They’re both headed to their teams’ respective AHL affiliates after clearing waivers on Monday.

Liles, 32, finds himself in this predicament in a large part because of Toronto’s tight salary cap crunch. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports that he’s headed to the Toronto Marlies, accompanying moves that include Morgan Rielly making the team and Frazer McLaren hitting the LTIR.

Schultz, 27, simply wasn’t good enough to make the cut. That being said, it’s probably more difficult to make the Kings’ defensive mix than most NHL teams’ groups.

Either way, two guys who could probably play at the game’s highest level to at least some extent are instead in the AHL. Sheldon Souray must be having sympathy pains.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins