Maple Leafs trade John-Michael Liles, prospect to Hurricanes for Tim Gleason

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman John-Michael Liles is not playing in Wednesday's Winter Classic. He's a healthy scratch, sitting in the press box at Michigan Stadium as the snow falls and his team takes on the Detroit Red Wings.

It's probably not going to be his team much longer, though. He's about to be traded to the Carolina Hurricanes, according to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer.

Can confirm Canes will trade Gleason for Liles and a prospect. To be announced soon.

— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) January 1, 2014

Defenseman Tim Gleason will come back to Toronto in the swap of defensemen, with prospect defenseman Dennis Robertson, a Brown University senior, also heading to Carolina with Liles. TSN also reports that the teams are currently working on getting the trade call done with the league, but that the deal is not yet official.

In 17 games this season with the Hurricanes, Gleason has one assist. He averages 15:52 in ice time and has a Corsi percentage of 48.9 percent in even-strength situations. Liles has played in 32 games with Toronto. He has two goals, nine assists, a Corsi percentage of just 37.5 percent and averages 16 and a half minutes per game.

More from the Winter Classic:

• Will my Winter Classic seats suck? | What to do in Ann Arbor

• Photos from the Big House | Snow in the forecast!

• Some thoughts from Comerica Park

• Alumni Showdown: Red Wings sweep Leafs