NEWS OF MAPLE LEAFS
Last Update:
Friday December 11, 1998 4:23PM EST
Friday December 11, 1998 King hurt hand blocking shot: out 2-6 weeks
Durable left wing Kris King will miss two to six weeks for the first-place Toronto Maple Leafs after fracturing his hand in Monday's 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers. King suffered the injury while blocking a shot. He will be re-examined next week, according to a Toronto spokesman, who could not confirm which hand was injured.
The 32-year-old King had played in all 109 games since joining the Maple Leafs as a free agent in 1997. He had missed a total of 10 games over the past eight seasons, including just three since the 1993-94 campaign.
The feisty King has just two goals and one assist with 52 penalty minutes in 27 games this year but is regarded as one of the team's best forecheckers.
He has at least 150 penalty minutes in each of his nine full NHL seasons, excluding the lockout-shortened 1994-95 campaign.
Toronto has a one-point lead over Buffalo in the Northeast Division, where the top four teams are separated by only three points. The Leafs play Friday at Chicago before beginning a season-high seven-game homestand Saturday.
Friday December 11, 1998 Potvin deal in limbo: Bolts to strike elsewhere?
Unless Maple Leafs management gets off its collective duff and makes a deal today, there is a good chance Felix Potvin will remain in limbo until the New Year.
The Leafs' trade talks with the Tampa Bay Lightning cooled yesterday, leaving the exiled goaltender out in the cold.
If there is no deal today, Lightning coach and general manager Jacques Demers will look seriously in another direction.
"If (the Leafs) don't want to make a deal (this morning), my recommendation to Jacques will be to go to another team and make a deal," Lightning senior consultant Cliff Fletcher said last night.
Leafs associate GM Mike Smith and Demers talked late yesterday afternoon, but once again came up empty.
While the clubs last week agreed on the possible deal's main ingredients -- Mikael Renberg and Potvin -- eight days of haggling over additions have produced nothing but a stalemate.
The Lightning simply want to trade Renberg for Potvin straight up. The Leafs, however, desire another component -- a player, a prospect or a second-round draft pick.
With the Christmas-time roster freeze set to take effect next Saturday at midnight, barring a turnaround it appears Potvin's five-month wait will continue. The Dec. 19 roster freeze expires at midnight on Dec. 27.
"If he has not been moved by (Dec. 19), this could go on to the trading deadline (March 23)," Leafs coach Pat Quinn said when Potvin bolted the Leafs for good last Saturday.
The Lightning, meanwhile, acquired defenceman Drew Bannister yesterday from Anaheim in exchange for a fifth-round selection at the 2000 entry draft.
Renberg, who has been kept on ice with all the trade talk this past week, was relieved to hear the news a deal might not happen.
"You know what, I'm loyal to Tampa," he told The Toronto Sun last night.
"I know we're not a very good team right now, but we have a bright future and I want to help build a winner. I love living down here."
The Oilers, 0-3-1 in their past four games, remain interested in Potvin. But Oilers GM Glen Sather doesn't want to be stuck with three goalies.
Unless, of course, the Leafs agree to pay a huge chunk of Potvin's salary -- $2.7 million US a year -- part of which the goaltender has been losing daily since he left the team on Dec. 3.
Thursday December 10, 1998 Lightning to make last-ditch pitch: Now or never for Potvin-Renberg deal
Felix Potvin will find out today whether another window of opportunity for a fresh start is slammed in his face.
A Tampa Bay source said last night the Lightning will give the Leafs a "take-it-or-leave-it" offer today that would send forward Mikael Renberg and a second-round pick in the 2000 draft to Toronto in exchange for Potvin.
The source believes that if there is no deal today, the Lightning will strike in another direction.
Philly has offered Chris Gratton, Alexandre Daigle and a prospect in exchange for Renberg and another player.
Another failed attempt by Leafs management would come as no surprise to Potvin. He has been jilted at the alter a few times since the Leafs signed Curtis Joseph five months ago and promised to trade Potvin.
On Potvin's mind simply is being traded by the midnight Dec. 19, the deadline when a Christmas-time roster freeze goes into effect until midnight Dec. 27.
"(The Leafs management) has been so hard to read from Day 1," Potvin said yesterday following a 90-minute session with 11 camera crews and several reporters at a downtown Montreal hotel. "It's really hard to have a feeling one way or another. A few times you get your hopes up only to see nothing happen.
"It's been a roller coaster. I sure hope something gets done by Dec. 19. But I know not to get my hopes up."
Dressed in a blue pin-striped suit, a clean-shaven Potvin appeared relaxed and comfortable answering the firing line of questions, trying to explain why he is giving up more than $21,000 Cdn a day to sit out.
"I know it's hard for some people to understand why I did this," Potvin said, after the cameras were turned off. "But those people weren't in my shoes. I'm the only one who had to deal with this situation, the feeling day-in and day-out of not being wanted, not feeling part of the team.
"I was miserable. After practice I would go home in a bad mood and I didn't want to be around my family. So I felt the best thing to do was eliminate going to the rink."
Potvin, 27, also doesn't buy into the theory the Leafs bargaining power has lessened with him on the sidelines.
"I did it their way for five months and they couldn't make a trade," Potvin said. "Now, it my turn to do things my way. I want to enjoy my life again."
Is there any chance Potvin would return in the New Year if the Leafs continue to drag their heels?
"Very, very little chance," he said. "I don't see that happening. I'm happy with my decision. I have a sense of relief to be away from that situation. But I'm not happy to be away from the game I love."
Potvin doesn't regret his decision when he informed the Leafs last Wednesday he was bolting the team for the safe-haven of his parent home in the northeast Montreal suburb of Anjou. The Leafs only made things worse when associate general manager Mike Smith said he was close to making a deal with the Lightning, so he asked Potvin to wait until last Saturday.
A lack of playing time (Potvin has not played since Nov. 20) also contributed to his decision.
"It was a building process," he said. "But, in the end, it did not help by not playing.
"I talked to my wife, my parents and basically decided to leave. At least I would be happy in an atmosphere away from the team."
Potvin said he will do his best to keep sharp by employing the same plan he did during the 1994 lockout: Morning workout sessions in a gym and a nightly on-ice session with some former junior teammates and friends peppering him with shots.
Potvin has not heard from Smith nor general manager Ken Dryden since he walked away from the Gardens for the final time as a Leaf last Wednesday. But it did hurt not talking to his teammates before he bolted.
"It was really hard not telling my teammates, not saying anything to them or the fans," Potvin said. "I'm planning on talking to them."
Wednesday December 9, 1998 Potvin defends move to leave Leafs
Goaltender Felix Potvin, in search of an NHL team after walking out on the Toronto Maple Leafs, said he left because he couldn't handle being in limbo any more.
Potvin, shunted to a backup position when the Leafs signed Curtis Joseph as a free agent during the summer, is losing $21,500 Cdn a day for his walkout but says leaving the Leafs was the right move.
"They paid me for five months and they didn't do anything," he told a news conference today. "I had no reason to believe that by staying there they would move me quicker.
"It was just at the point where I couldn't handle it any more. Every time I'd go to the rink, I was down."
"This is about more than money," added his agent, Jay Fee.
Fee said while Potvin may have a signed contract, no deal "ought to present the kind of psychological, mental abuse if you will that you continue to mount on a player of this calibre -- or any kind of worker."
The Leafs have reportedly been discussing moving Potvin to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Potvin, 25, said he is working out every day while awaiting a deal.
"The bottom line is that when they told me this summer they were going to trade me, I didn't expect to sit all year before I was traded."
The Leafs shrugged off the effect of Potvin's walkout.
"He tried not to be a distraction, and he still hasn't been to us," said Tie Domi after Wednesday's practice. "We knew this situation would arise eventually."
Captain Mats Sundin tried to put a positive spin on the situation, pointing to the promotion of goaltender Glenn Healy from the IHL.
"We've all been waiting for something to happen," he said. "It's sad to see him (Potvin) go but at the same time it's nice to have Glenn back. He's a great guy in the dressing room."
Monday December 7, 1998 Smith won't bend to Potvin: Trade not done yet
Felix Potvin and Mike Smith have dug in their heels, while the Maple Leafs march up the standings.
Not only would Smith not flinch when Potvin walked out on Saturday to protest the Leafs' latest stalled attempt to trade him, the associate general manager said he won't be pressured into a bad deal.
"We'll continue to do what we think is right -- wait for the best offer," Smith said last night from Boston. "If anything, (Potvin's boycott) puts less pressure on me."
Smith claimed he did not call the Tampa Bay Lightning or any other club yesterday, though he didn't dispute the three trade options with the Lightning that were first reported in The Toronto Sun. Lightning request: They include Potvin for Tampa right winger Mikael Renberg and defenceman Cory Cross, which was hung up by the Lightning's request to add another Leaf to the package. The second deal revolved around Potvin for Renberg, with the clubs exchanging first-round draft positions next June. The Lightning vetoed that proposal.
The third idea, possibly the point where talks broke off on Saturday, was a simple Potvin-Renberg swap. There also is a belief that Tampa wants to unload underachieving defenceman Karl Dykhuis.
"I really can't comment on those," Smith said after a few moments silence.
"Nothing happened (yesterday), I don't know if it's dead as a doornail," a source close to the talks said last night. "Maybe they will talk (today)."
The Leafs also may be working on a separate, smaller deal with another club that is dependent on a Potvin trade.
Smith has been in Boston off and on the past two weeks to be with his wife, Judy, as she recovers from cancer surgery. Leafs coach Pat Quinn praised Smith for handling such a difficult personal matter as well as keep his mind focused on making a profitable Potvin deal.
"Unfortunately, life has dealt him those cards and he has to deal with two things," Quinn said.
Potvin actually had decided he was leaving the team on Thursday, but kept quiet in hopes the Tampa deal would go through. But as news of Potvin's departure came out in Montreal, Smith was asked if the whole five-month mess was his fault for asking too much in talks with Tampa, Florida, Vancouver, Montreal and Chicago.
"Felix is a No. 1 goaltender and one of the top 10 in the league," he said. "We have identified what we want from each team and we're not going to take any less."
Potvin, who officially was suspended by the Leafs after he went home, is losing $21,500 Cdn in salary each day he is out.
Monday December 7, 1998 Bench fine with Healy
Nice to see a Maple Leafs backup goaltender with a smile on his face for a change.
That would be Glenn Healy, who joined the team last night, his three-month hitch in the minors finally ending with Felix Potvin's decision to bolt the club.
"You can sit on pins and needles all the time or go out and live your life fully and that's the way I approached it," Healy said. "It was refreshing. You learn a lot about yourself and you learn that a lot of guys are in this game for pure fun, not the money."
Healy was paid his $1.2-million US salary while playing once every couple of games for the first-place Chicago Wolves of the International Hockey League.
But after 13 years in the NHL, he would rather be up in The Show, even if it means watching Curtis Joseph from the bench all winter.
"I knew I would be (a backup) when I signed here two years ago," the 36-year-old said. "No one's going to care how many games I play, but they will remember if I'm part of a Leafs resurgence."
Somewhere over the Great Lakes, Healy's plane probably passed the one carrying Felix Potvin's equipment back to the Gardens dressing room in Toronto.
"I care a lot for that guy. He's a tremendous human being and he was a great partner," Healy said. "I'm sure at the end of the day it will all work out for everyone."
Healy hasn't played an NHL game since April 19, when he beat the Canucks 2-1 in Mike Murphy's last game behind the bench. With Joseph showing no signs of fatigue after Toronto made it through the roughest part of the schedule, Healy likely won't be needed for a while.
Tonight against the Rangers, Joseph will want to atone for one of the worst games of his a career, a sloppy 6-6 tie a month ago in Toronto.
So will Mike Richter in the other net. He and Joseph were World Cup heroes two years ago and were lavished with four-year free-agent contracts last summer worth a combined $45.8 million US.
Richter has played the past five games (4-0-1) and the Rangers are 5-1-2 in their past eight. Most importantly, they're finally at .500.
"That's important," coach John Muckler said. "They have to see that hard work pays dividends."
Saturday December 5, 1998 Potvin leaves Leafs
Felix Potvin has left the Maple Leafs.
The Toronto goaltender, awaiting a trade since July, released a statement Saturday announcing his departure from the NHL club.
"As a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization for the past eight years, I have given my maximum effort each day and have always been proud to be a member of this great city's hockey club," Potvin said in a release.
"Today, however, it is with great regret that I have chosen to leave the organization."
Potvin, in a fax sent by his agent Jay Fee, says he made the decision on Thursday, but delayed making the announcement after the Leafs told him they were close to trading him.
"Unfortunately, at this time, those talks have not as yet resulted in a trade," Potvin said.
There was no immediate word whether he would be suspended by the Leafs.
"After extensive deliberation with family and friends, I have made this decision despite whatever financial consequence might arise," Potvin said.
Saturday December 5, 1998 Potvin trade: It's in Demers' court, Potvin could be traded as early as today
Trade talks involving Maple Leafs goalie Felix Potvin are heating up to the point where some sources suggest Potvin could be dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning as early as this weekend. There is even talk the Potvin deal could be a three-way transaction involving the Philadelphia Flyers, with Potvin going to Tampa Bay, Mikael Renberg going back to Philadelphia and Chris Gratton and a draft pick coming to the Maple Leafs. The Leafs reportedly made a pitch for Gratton before he signed with the Flyers last summer, but also covet Renberg because they feel he would blend well with countryman Mats Sundin. Both 6-foot-4, 218-pound Gratton and 6-foot-2, 218-pound Renberg fulfil the Leafs' desire to get bigger. Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jacques Demers hinted he had received an offer from Leafs associate GM Mike Smith, and was considering it. ``The ball is in our court,'' he told a Tampa reporter before last night's game against the Edmonton Oilers. Flyers GM Bob Clarke and Lightning executive Cliff Fletcher were on hand for the Leafs' 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Maple Leaf Gardens Wednesday night. Demers said he called Smith Thursday after finding out Potvin had left the team to spend time with his family in Montreal before tonight's game at the Molson Centre. Demers also acknowledged his team must find a No. 1 goalie after injury problems to both Daren Puppa and Bill Ranford forced them to go with minor-leaguers Corey Schwab and Zac Bierk. Smith said a couple of teams have expressed interest in Potvin in the past two weeks, but he would not identify them.
``We're at a stage, not just with (Tampa Bay) but with others, that things could go up a step to get a deal done,'' Smith said. ``But we've probably been at this stage eight or nine times already and we've been beyond this stage a couple of times. Whether that means something comes to fruition, I don't know.''
One source said there was a tentative deal earlier in the week involving Potvin and Lightning winger Rob Zamuner, but Smith and Demers could not agree on another player the Lightning would send to Toronto. Smith reportedly asked for defenceman Cory Cross, but was turned down. Demers was adamant that any deal he makes for Potvin or anyone else will not include prospects or young NHL players. He specifically eliminated 1997 first-round pick Paul Mara, 21-year-old defenceman Pavel Kubina, 26-year-old left winger Brent Peterson, 22-year-old centre Daymond Langkow and, obviously, 18-year-old centre Vincent Lecavalier. Gratton has struggled with the Flyers this season, scoring just one goal in 23 games. On the other hand, he scored 30 goals two seasons ago with Tampa Bay and 22 last season with the Flyers.
Saturday December 5, 1998 Leafs wonder if Potvin will return at all
There is a good chance Felix Potvin will not return to the Maple Leafs today.
Word out of the Potvin camp last night was that the goaltender was prepared to leave the Leafs until a trade finally happens.
A close friend of Potvin's said it was a "good bet" he would not be at this morning's skate or report for the Leafs game against the Canadiens at the Molson Centre tonight.
"Felix has been good about this, but he has had it," Potvin's friend said.
However, Potvin's agent, Jay Fee, said as of last night no decision had been made on whether Potvin would show up or bolt the Leafs today.
"I can't guarantee one way or the other," Fee said. "We just continue to hold out hope a trade happens soon as possible."
Tampa Bay Lightning coach and general manager Jacques Demers confirmed he has engaged in trade discussions about Potvin, but Demers said the two sides are still far apart.
"We have had serious talks with the Leafs, with (associate general manager) Mike Smith and I," Demers said from his Edmonton hotel room. "But I wouldn't say we are close on anything.
"We want someone like Felix Potvin. We have a good goalie in Darren Puppa, but he is injured all the time. We are going to try and work out a deal."
Demers did not want to discuss which players the Leafs have asked for, but he did say that Tampa would not give up youngsters such as defencemen Paul Mara and Pavel Kubina or forwards Daymond Langkow and Brent Peterson.
The Leafs would want Mikael Renberg or Canadian Olympic team member Rob Zamuner, who is out until Christmas with a groin injury, and another player.
Renberg played on the wing of Leafs captain Mats Sundin for Sweden at the world championship last spring.
"This deal could be done today, a week from today or sometime in March," Demers said. "We're in a hurry to make a deal, but we are not in a hurry to make the wrong move."
The Canucks also are believed to still be in the picture.
Potvin was given permission to leave for Montreal on Thursday to visit with his family. But the Leafs expected Potvin, who has been in-limbo since Curtis Joseph was signed on July 15, to re-join the team in Montreal today. Potvin initially stated that was his intention, but he apparently had a change of heart yesterday. He has not seen any action since suffering a 4-1 loss in Buffalo on Nov. 20, six games ago. As of last night, the Leafs had not made any plans to recall Glenn Healy from the Chicago Wolves of the IHL or another goalie from St. John's to backup Curtis Joseph tonight.
Friday December 4, 1998 Potvin gone, gone, going?: CAT BOLTS TO MONTREAL EARLY AS LIGHTNING LOOKS TO STRIKE A DEAL
Felix Potvin yesterday caught an early train to Montreal, half-hoping he won't be returning to Toronto.
He may get his wish.
The Tampa Bay Lightning this week made an offer for the Maple Leafs' redundant goaltender. While a deal isn't necessarily imminent, the Bolts and Leafs are expected to talk again today.
Former Leafs president Cliff Fletcher, who recently joined the Lightning as a senior adviser to coach and general manager Jacques Demers, made the initial pitch on Wednesday.
"It was meant to get the ball rolling," a Tampa club source said. "Apparently, the Vancouver Canucks also want to do something."
Potvin, who has been living at a downtown Toronto hotel with his two kids and pregnant wife, was informed that something might be up before he left for Montreal two practices ahead of his teammates. Rumours that he had walked out on the Leafs were quashed by associate general manager Mike Smith and the goalie's agent, Jay Fee. "I talked to (Fee) a couple of days ago and we worked this out," Smith told The Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby. Trade status
While Smith wouldn't comment on Potvin's trade status, Demers made no bones about the fact he covets Potvin.
"There are 26 teams in the league interested in Felix Potvin and we're one them," Demers told the Tampa Tribune yesterday in Calgary. Meanwhile, a Canucks source said his club is exploring several options but would not be coaxed into a bidding war with the Bolts. The Tampa source said the last-place Bolts could be persuaded to part with checking centre Rob Zamuner or former Legion of Doom winger Mikael Renberg. But the Leafs likely would want 6-foot-4 defensive prospect Paul Mara, or young centre Daymond Langkow.
The injury-plagued Lightning were forced to start third-stringer Corey Schwab last night against the Flames after Bill Ranford (4.46 GAA) pulled a groin muscle on Wednesday. Starter Daren Puppa is week-to-week with a similar injury.
"We've got $51/2 million in goaltending and it's all back home," Demers said. Puppa has been solid in the games he has worked, but the team no longer considers him to be reliable. Puppa, 33, underwent back surgery two years ago, missed half of last season with back spasms and has appeared in only 13 games this season.
Meanwhile, the Leafs' Smith sounded annoyed when it was suggested that Potvin's premature departure caught his coach, Pat Quinn, by surprise. Nor did Smith think Quinn had planned to start Potvin against the Habs, though the coach admitted it was a consideration. "I nearly played him in Philadelphia (last Friday) but decided against that the morning of the game," Quinn said. "I haven't used him at home because, quite frankly, he was booed the last time. The next opportunity (for Potvin to play) was this game (in Montreal)." Quinn said it was unlikely he would start Potvin after having missed two practices. The Leafs' following game is Monday in New York against the Rangers. "I have no problem with him going home," Quinn said. "Like any stressful situation, what you need is some comfort some place, whether that's his home or his environs in Montreal." Fee cautioned against reading too much into Potvin's early train trip. "All I can say is Felix has permission from the team to do this," Fee said. "He has gone home to Montreal to take care of his family."
Thursday December 3, 1998 Cujo's Leafs saviour
Step aside, Felix Potvin. The Roger Clemens watch begins in earnest this morning.
The focus shifts from the inevitable trading of Potvin to the inevitable trading of Clemens, for one very good reason.
His name is Curtis Joseph and he now is the story. The first chapter and the last. The most important Toronto hockey player since Doug Gilmour.
And just like Gilmour was, playing a different position, he is a provider of hope and of victories, enhancing the play of those around him, making everyone better. How much better off are the Maple Leafs with Joseph in goal?
"How much better off were the Canadiens with Ken Dryden?" asked Doug MacLean, a general-manager-in-watching last night, after the Leafs managed a 3-1 win over Los Angeles at the Gardens.
A game, Mats Sundin said, they would not have won a year ago.
"What were there in the first period? Four saves, maybe five big ones?" MacLean said. "They don't score. He doesn't let them. If he lets one or two of those in, they lose. He changes the game. He changes the entire equation." And after it is over, Curtis Joseph stands in the middle of the Maple Leafs dressing room wearing an aw-shucks grin, his favourite post-game pose. This was another night, another win. The Leafs' seventh in a row at home. His sixth in a row at home. He can't explain why it happens or how it happens, he just does it. He can't explain his success, the same way Barry Sanders can't explain how and where he runs or Mark McGwire can't make sense of hitting 70 home runs. When you're different, when you're special like this, when you're the best -- or one of the best -- these things just happen. You don't ask why. They just do.
We saw that from Curtis Joseph in this same building wearing the colours of the St. Louis Blues. And we saw it last spring and the spring before that in the colours of the Edmonton Oilers. This is his third shade of blue: Different hues, same results.
And up and down the Maple Leafs roster, there is now the kind of belief only a Joseph can bring. There is belief and astonishment.
Kris King used to think the best goalies he played with were named Mike Richter and John Vanbiesbrouck. "I was with the Rangers when Roger Neilson used to rotate them. They were both fantastic, you couldn't tell that one was the better than the other," King said. And now? "This guy's starting to change my mind. Look at the way the game started tonight. We didn't have anything. He makes five or six stops in the first period or we're out of this game. Then he makes that breakaway stop (off Vladimir Tsyplakov) right at the end of the second period. If that goes in, we're dead. We don't come back in the third period. "It's a huge save for us, but then you think, that's Curtis. That's what he does." King thinks it's Curtis but Curtis doesn't know what to think. And if he does, he isn't saying. He says he tries not to analyse any of this too much. He came out, as he did last night, took off his mask, posed for a pre-game photograph, accepted an award, played goal, beat the Los Angeles Kings, showered and went home. Just another day of work, another reason to believe this team is for real. "I like to be pretty relaxed," Joseph said. "You try not to over-analyse what's going on. We're finding little ways to win. "Everybody in here believes this is for real. We all believe in ourselves. We seem to be getting the job done." Pat Quinn was an assistant coach in Philadelphia when Bernie Parent played his final National Hockey League season. He said he never saw a better goalie than Parent, and frankly, who has? But until this year, Quinn always felt fortunate with the strength he has had in the goaltenders he has coached. From Pete Peeters to Phil Myre in Philadelphia to Kirk McLean in Vancouver. But the best? "As time goes on, I might have to re-evaluate it all," Quinn said. He might have to say Curtis Joseph. Joseph changes games and people's minds. It doesn't seem so important that the Leafs trade Potvin immediately, as important as it once did. This team has found its place and its style and there is only room for one goaltender of consequence here. In this season of Curtis Joseph, Felix Potvin has become an innocent bystander with his role diminished, and the rumours of his departure less frantic. The man for Toronto to obsess over now is Roger Clemens. His inevitable departure will do nothing to hurt this first-place club.