Report: Maple Leafs expected to use buyout on veteran defenseman.

It appears that the Maple Leafs will be using one of their compliance buyouts to get out of a contract they acquired when trading former captain Dion Phaneuf.

According to a report from TSN insider Darren Dreger the decision to place veteran defeseman Jared Cowen on waivers today has been motivated by Toronto's desire to buy out his contract should he not be claimed by another NHL franchise.

There was some expectation when the trade was initially announced that this was the direction the Maple Leafs were moving towards, however there had been rumors that should Cowen demonstrate he could contribute he would be retained on the Leafs roster. That clearly hasn't happened and as a result Cowen was placed on waivers Wednesday without having ever played a game in a Leafs uniform.

It's unlikely Cowen will be claimed, and the question now seems to be will he be back in the National Hockey League next season?

[pub]