Kostka, 27, divided the 2012-13 season between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL Toronto Marlies. He had eight assists and 27 penalty minutes in 35 regular-season games with the Maple Leafs during his first NHL season; he was scoreless in one Stanley Cup Playoff game. Kostka paced Marlies defensemen and ranked fifth on the club with 34 points (six goals) in 34 games. He has 37 goals and 183 points in 341 AHL games with five teams from 2007-13.

Kostka will replace Liles in the Maple Leafs lineup. He has been a healthy scratch for the last eight games.

Kostka almost made the NHL with an impressive training camp. Last season the offensive defenseman scored 16 goals and 55 points with the Rochester Americans of the AHL.

No immediate fantasy hockey relevance on waivers.

Kotska surviving the recent roster cuts indicates he could have made the team. Kostka led the Rochester Americans in points last season. At 25 he has little left to prove at the AHL level which could lead the team to keep him around as a spare defender.

Kostka led the Rochester Americans in points last season. At 25 he has little left to prove at the AHL level which could lead the team to keep him around as a spare defender.