Gleason adds toughness and depth to Leafs D

With the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring Tim Gleason for little-used offensive D-man John-Michael Liles (plus rights to NCAA prospect Dennis Robertson, 2011 6th rounder), here's how they shape up on the back end:

Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Franson - Gardiner
Ranger- Reilly

Gleason - Fraser

Phaneuf, Franson, gardiner and Reilly all have offensive skills, and now that they are skating and moving the puck as the coaches desire, Liles became the odd man out. Gleason joins Gunarsson, Ranger and Fraser among defencemen expected to carry the stay-at-home role. 

If Tim Gleason is able to crack the Bud's lineup, it would likely mean Ranger sits, though his play has been steady even solid since his return from the pressbox. If the top six are all healthy at the deadline, Fraser could potentially be available in the trade market, though Carlyle would surely enjoy the luxury of taking eight NHL defenders into the playoffs.

TJ Brennan (14 goals and 17 assists in 31 games this season) of the Toronto Marlies is the Leafs top defender in the AHL. Junior prospects Connor Brown, Frederik Gauthier and Matt Finn are all having stellar seasons.