John-Michael Liles has always had an easygoing nature. He is quick
with a sharp needle at another's expense or a self-deprecating shot
at himself.
It has been a bit harder, however, for the Avalanche
defenseman to maintain his usual persona lately.
What Liles wants, and what the Avalanche wants for him, is to
get the swagger back in his step. Being a healthy scratch for two
games last week took some of it away, and Liles faces an uncertain
future in the short term with the Avs — and possibly for the
long term.
Although Liles played Saturday in the Avalanche's 3-2 victory
over Columbus, finishing with an assist and a minus-1, he did so
because veteran defenseman Brett Clark was sidelined with a facial
injury, one that isn't expected to keep him out long.
Liles' deactivated status last week was stunning because he
is the Avs' third-highest-paid player, making $4.125 million. Only
teammates Paul Stastny ($6.6 million) and Scott Hannan ($4.5
million) make more. Liles will make a combined $9.75 million for
two more seasons after this one.
"The coaching staff made it known why I was sitting out and
what I needed to do," Liles said. "They wanted more of me. They
wanted me to elevate my game, and it's something that I'm not going
to say that I disagree with them. They felt it was the right move
to sit me out. You come back, work hard and try to respond. That's
what I was trying to do (Saturday night)."
Liles, 29, has 15 points in 29 games and is a minus-4. Seven
of his points have come on the power play (two goals), on which his
lack of production probably is most responsible for him landing in
coach Joe Sacco's doghouse.
Sacco had nothing further to add to his assessment of Liles
from last week at the time of the defenseman's benching, other than
the coach is looking for a better all-around game and perhaps the
intangible of more hunger to succeed.
"I'm just going to come to the rink and work as hard as I can
and do the best I can to try to help the team," Liles said. "That's
the main thing, the team."
