The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed defenceman John-Michael Liles on injured reserve with concussion-like symptoms.
Liles took a huge hit from Buffalo's Paul Gaustad last Thursday and visiting the dressing room before returning to play. He missed Friday's game against the New York Islanders and was placed on injured reserve after being unable to skate with the team Monday or Tuesday ahead of the Leafs' game against the Florida Panthers.
The Leafs said Monday Liles was suffering from a neck injury and wasn't feeling well enough to skate. Tuesday the team made the decision to put him on IR.
"We're shutting him down for a few days," said coach Ron Wilson. "He was better today, but not ready to go and if we run into a crisis we've gotta have another defenceman available - in case of illness or another injury."
Liles has four goals and 17 assists for 21 points in 34 games with the Leafs this season and has averaged more than 21 minutes of ice-time per game.
The Maple Leafs called up Korbinian Holzer from the AHL's Toronto Marlies and will serve as seventh defenceman with Liles sidelined.
