5 Toronto Maple Leafs That May Be Gone Via Amnesty

If the speculation is true, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke may be able to save face by eliminating one unwanted player from his salary cap this offseason.

The NHL and the NHLPA will begin hammering out a new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) following the conclusion of the playoffs, and speculation suggests that it may include an amnesty clause that would allow each team to remove one contract from their salary cap if they so choose.

The idea will remain just that until the terms of a new CBA are finalized, but even the rumors of an amnesty clause have NHL fans abuzz with dreams of contract relief and the possibilities that come with it.

The Leafs, in particular, have more than a few players on their current roster that are overpaid. So this news will come as music to the ears of many in Leafs Nation.

This list takes a quick looks at Toronto's top five candidates for amnesty.

Tim Connolly

Cap Hit: $4.75 million for one more year

Burke brought in Tim Connolly during the offseason with the hopes that he would be Toronto's No. 1 center.

However, Tyler Bozak beat him to the punch with improved play out of the gate.

Connolly remains a versatile, special teams forward, who provides veteran leadership on a very young Toronto squad.

But should Burke feel he can put the money to better use, Connolly's cap hit makes him an ideal candidate for amnesty.

Colby Armstrong

Cap Hit: $3 million for one more year

Colby Armstrong has the ability to be a gritty third-line forward for the Leafs.

But he just can't seem to string together a healthy stretch of games that would warrant keeping him in the fold.

However, when healthy, Armstrong has shown the ability to be an effective player in Toronto.

So Burke is going to have to decide whether he is worth the risk for another season or not. 

Mike Komisarek

Cap Hit: $4.5 million for two more years

By virtue of contract value and length, Mike Komisarek is the Leaf most likely to face amnesty.

But he can play a rugged, stay-at-home style of defense that new coach Randy Carlyle seems to favor.

So if the new coach likes him, Komisarek may be sticking around, much to the dismay of many Toronto fans.

Matthew Lombardi

Cap Hit: $3.5 million for one more year

Matthew Lombardi has speed and skill that makes him a valuable commodity in the NHL.

But he hasn't been able to provide Toronto much in the way of offense this year.

In fairness, he missed a full season while recovering from a concussion last year, which meant that he came into Toronto without a full offseason's worth of training.

Will Burke give him another chance?

John-Michael Liles

Cap Hit: $3.875 million for four more years

At four more years left, John-Michael Liles has the longest contract of all the players on this list.

He started this season great but suffered a minor concussion and hasn't looked the same since.

He plays too tentatively and has not rounded into the power-play quarterback that the Leafs were hoping for.

Oddly enough, Burke opted to sign Liles to an extension when he was out with his concussion.

In hindsight, does Toronto's GM consider this a mistake?

Amnesty may provide the answer.

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