Thursday July 30, 1998 Leafs look to Suhonen for assistance
The coach whom Don Cherry once compared to dog food would have no problem working a few feet away from his nemesis on Coach's Corner at the Gardens.
Alpo Suhonen, a front-runner to become one of Pat Quinn's two assistants with the Maple Leafs, had a hearty laugh about the prospect when contacted by The Toronto Sun yesterday at his island home off the Finnish coast near Helsinki.
"I don't even think about it," Suhonen said. "It's part of the business, but a lot of people still remind me of (what Cherry said)."
It was nine years ago when Cherry laid into then-Winnipeg GM Mike Smith for a series of moves, which included hiring the unknown Finn to coach the Jets farm team in Moncton. Cherry referred to Suhonen as some kind of dog food, making fun of the coach's first name. Cherry never apologized.
Smith is now in Toronto and recommended that Quinn interview the well-schooled Suhonen. He was hoping the Cherry incident would be forgotten by now.
Suhonen, whose four stints in North America included assistant roles in Winnipeg and Chicago, said the interview with Quinn went well.
A Helsinki magazine reported Suhonen gave up a job in Switzerland to join the Leafs.
Suhonen, whose well-rounded career has seen him work in newspapers, TV and entertainment, was a color commentator last year when he took over the ailing Hameenlinna team in the Finnish First Division. The team finished out of the playoffs, but made it to the final four of the European club championship.
Quinn said Smith isn't ordering him to get Suhonen on the staff, which could include ex-Leaf and Quinn crony Rick Ley by tomorrow or Monday.
"It's fair to say I never would have thought of (Suhonen)," Quinn said. "But when we were discussing a Russian coach, Mike mentioned Alpo and I remembered him right away. When I was with Team Canada in 1986 at the world championships, he was against us. It always has been a consideration to have a European on our staff because of the makeup of our team."
In other coaching developments, ex-Leafs assistant Mike Kitchen has talked to St. Louis coach Joel Quenneville and Anaheim's Craig Hartsburg, while fired Leafs head coach Mike Murphy is in discussions with Ottawa and one other team. If Murphy says no to Ottawa, his good friend Dick Todd may be in line for the job.
Wednesday July 29, 1998 Cat's wishes won't weigh in Leafs' decision
Doug Gilmour was granted his wish to be traded quickly to a contender, but longtime Maple Leaf Felix Potvin likely won't get the same consideration from management.
"This business can be cruel," associate general manager Mike Smith said yesterday. "But I have to try to do what's best for the Maple Leafs. I've said it before; Felix is a loyal Leaf, a drafted Leaf (in 1990), a heart-and-soul guy. But I have to think of the team."
Two of the four clubs interested in Potvin -- Vancouver and Florida -- missed the playoffs last year. Montreal is his home town while Edmonton has everything going for it except location. Potvin is expendable in the wake of free-agent Curtis Joseph's signing.
Jay Fee, Potvin's new agent, said there was an obvious concern on his client's part to get settled quickly in a new city, preferably a team with a title shot.
"I've had a brief discussion with Mike," Fee said. "In an ideal world, we could dictate a better outcome. But at this point, I can't control anything. It's not useful for us to start (making demands). Right now, we're spectators like everybody else."
The Leafs either can deal Potvin now to one of the four teams, or in September, when more clubs may enter the picture to create an auction. There could be some movement during league meetings next week in Nashville.
Saturday July 25, 1998 McSorley shows interest in Leafs
It is not easy to go unnoticed when you are 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds with a head full of wavy blond locks, possess a smile that could light up a closet and a glare that can melt cheesecake.
But laying low has been Marty McSorley's game plan this summer. The veteran NHL defenceman, an unrestricted free agent, is playing a waiting game to see which team best suits his situation.
"I'm willing to wait up until Sept. 1," McSorley said yesterday from his father's home in Cayuga, Ont. "I'm going to take my time. I want to go into a situation in which I will love to come to the rink everyday."
Near the top of McSorley's list is the Maple Leafs. With the exception of two seasons in Pittsburgh and a brief nine-game stint with the New York Rangers, McSorley has played his entire career out West in Edmonton, Los Angeles and San Jose. He would like to come East to rejuvenate his 14-year career before family and friends.
"I would be thrilled to play in Toronto," McSorley, 35, said. "But I wouldn't be coming back to finish out my career. I would be coming to compete and contribute.
"It would really be something. I'm like any other kid who grew up in Canada. We used to make the popcorn and stay up late to watch Hockey Night in Canada on Saturdays. I have nine brothers and sisters, my father and a lot of friends I would love to play in front of."
The Leafs talked to McSorley's agent Mike Barnett a few weeks ago. But then came the Curtis Joseph signing and now trading Felix Potvin is on the minds of the Leafs' management. The McSorley talks were put on hold.
Leafs associate GM Mike Smith said following the Joseph signing his club was done with free agency.
But he also said Potvin could be the Leafs No. 1 goalie this season.
McSorley, who made $1.3 million US with the Sharks in 1997-98, would command a salary in the same neighborhood.
"I just want a better situation than I had in San Jose last year,"said McSorley, who dressed for just 56 of the 82 games and didn't see any action in the playoffs.
Friday July 24, 1998 Ley hopeful of landing Leafs bench job
The Maple Leafs are inching closer to hiring at least one assistant coach.
Veteran NHL coach Rick Ley told The Toronto Sun yesterday he has had serious talks with Leafs head coach Pat Quinn.
"I have talked with Pat, but nothing has been decided yet," Ley said. "Who knows when a decision will be made? Obviously, this is something I want to take place."
The Leafs received permission from the Canucks to talk to Ley, who is still under contract to Vancouver as a pro scout.
Ley, 49, worked under Quinn with the Canucks for six seasons. He was an assistant coach for three years, head coach for almost two seasons and a pro scout for a year.
The Orillia-born Ley was relieved by Quinn as a head coach on March 28, 1996 with six games remaining in the regular season. Ironically, the game that sealed Ley's fate was a 6-2 loss to the Leafs in Vancouver.
Like Quinn, Ley, a defenceman, began his NHL career playing for the Leafs. He also was the head coach of the Hartford Whalers from 1989-91.
Thursday July 16, 1998 Maple Leafs Clark joins Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning signed free-agent left wing Wendel Clark, the team announced Thursday during a news conference at the Ice Palace.
The Lightning signed the unrestricted free agent Thursday to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with a team option for a second season. The deal also includes a games-played incentive bonus for the oft-injured forward.
"Wendel is to us as good a signing as Doug Gilmour," general manager Phil Esposito said. "Wendel is a guy with leadership and the ability to motivate other players by the way he plays."
Clark, 31, was taken first overall in the 1985 entry draft by the Maple Leafs. The 13-year veteran has 294 career goals, but has appeared in 50 or less games in six of his NHL seasons.
He said he was excited about moving to Tampa Bay, even though the Lightning had the NHL's worst record last season.
"It's intriguing that it's in a rebuilding situation, and I can go down there and prove I can still play and also help out a hockey club that's building for the future," Clark said. "They have the building blocks to progress quickly up the ladder."
The veteran signed with the Lightning after turning down a two-year, $2.6 million offer from the Dallas Stars last week, the Tribune said. He earned $2.3 million with Toronto last season.
Clark suffered through an injury-plagued 1997-98 season, compiling just 12 goals and seven assists in just 47 games. He was a minus-21 and his season ended with April surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle.
The all-time leading playoff goal-scorer in Maple Leafs history (33), Clark has played only one full season, totaling 37 goals and 23 assists with 271 penalty minutes in 1986-87.
"As far as off-ice, I'm 100 percent right now," Clark said. "There's no problem with anything. Later in July I will start skating and do the other things I do when I'm healthy."
Lightning coach Jacques Demers said Clark will be placed on one of the team's top two lines and also will be part of the power-play unit.
"We won't have the same Wendel Clark as ten years ago, but we have a character player respected throughout the NHL," Demers said.
Clark spent his first nine seasons in Toronto before being shipped to the Quebec Nordiques in a seven-player deal before the 1994-95 season.
After one season in Quebec, Clark was dealt to the New York Islanders at the outset of the 1995-96 season in a three-way deal also involving the New Jersey Devils. That was the year the Nordiques moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche.
He was traded back to Toronto late in the 1995-96 season, again as part of a seven-player deal.
Clark helped Toronto to the 1993 and 1994 Western Conference finals, where it lost to Los Angeles in seven games in 1993 and Vancouver in five games the following season.
Thursday July 16, 1998 Top draft pick Antropov signs with Leafs
Kazakhstan teenage center Nikolai Antropov, the 10th overall pick of the 1998 NHL draft, signed an entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs.
Antropov, 18, has played the last two seasons with Torpedo in the Russian minor-hockey league and was only the 17th-ranked European prospect, according to NHL Central Scouting. In 42 games last season, he compiled 13 goals and 24 assists with 50 penalty minutes.
Antropov, 6-foot-5, 191 pounds, participated in the 1997 and 1998 World Junior Hockey Championships, as well as the 1998 World Championships for Team Kazakhstan.
Thursday July 16, 1998 Leafs planning for Cat to be at camp
The Maple Leafs say they are prepared to begin training camp Sept. 12 with both newly signed goaltender Curtis Joseph and the incumbent goalie Felix Potvin in the fold. Will that create friction in camp?
"It would be too tough for us to be on the same team," Joseph told The Toronto Sun. "We both can play a lot of games. But right now Felix is a teammate. He is a great guy, a friend. We have enjoyed a lot of good on-ice battles. I'm sure things will work out for him."
"That does not mean the Leafs aren't trying to move Potvin. "There is no deal in place," associate general manager Mike Smith said. "But we'll see what falls into place in the next several months."
Wednesday July 15, 1998 CuJo replaces the Cat in Toronto
Cujo on why he came to Toronto
"One of the factors playing in Toronto
is being a Canadian kid.
I am ecstatic to put this jersey on."
When the dust cleared, free agent goaltender Curtis Joseph decided that his heart was in Canada.
Hours after Mike Richter reclaimed his position in Manhattan, Joseph signed a multi-year contract Wedneday with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Terms were not disclosed, but it is believed that Joseph agreed to a four-year deal worth $24 million.
The reported $6 million annual salary would make Joseph the second highest-paid goaltender in the NHL behind Dominik Hasek of the Buffalo Sabres and just ahead of Richter. Hasek will earn $7 million in 1998-99 while Richter will make $5.45 million.
Joseph appeared headed to the New York Rangers earlier in the week, but turned down a four-year, $22 million offer. New York then opted to bring Richter back, clearing the way for Joseph to go home.
"I'm ecstatic to put this jersey on," Joseph said. "As a little boy I watched the Maple Leafs, dreamed about playing for the Leafs."
There was no immediate word on the fate of Felix Potvin, the Leafs' starting goalie.
"He's a great guy. I'm sure things will work out for his situation," said Joseph, who acknowledged that sharing goaltending duties would be tough.
Leafs associate GM Mike Smith said he had no deal in place for Potvin, adding he will see "what evolves out of this."
"Now we have Curtis, we have a better team," he said. "We certainly have depth in goal."
Potvin will earn $2.7 million this season and then become a restricted free agent on July 1, 1999. He made $2.5 million last season, 10th among goalies, and $200,000 more than Joseph.
Potvin has spent six full seasons with the Leafs. He was instrumental in leading Toronto to the Western Conference final in 1993 and 1994. The emergence of Potvin -- who played at the 1994 and 1996 All-Star games -- cleared the way for the Leafs to trade such goalies as Darren Puppa and Grant Fuhr.
But Potvin's play has slipped the past two seasons, in part because of the woeful team in front of him. His goals-against average rose to 3.15 in 1997, his highest since his second year of junior play.
Joseph leaves the Oilers after three stellar years in Edmonton. He was spectacular in helping Edmonton to first-round upsets against Dallas in 1997 and Colorado last season.
Joseph, who played his first five seasons in St. Louis, will be the second-highest paid Leafs player behind captain Mats Sundin, who will earn $7 million this season.
Montreal, Vancouver and Florida are believed to be interested in Potvin. Potvin, 27, was 26-33-7 with a 2.73 goals-against average with five shutouts last season.
Although on Tuesday, Smith told the Edmonton Journal: "I don't see Felix going to Montreal. I think I'll leave it at that."
Wednesday July 15, 1998 Report: Joseph to join Leafs if Potvin is dealt
TORONTO -- Unable to sign with the New York Rangers, free-agent goalie Curtis Joseph has agreed to a four-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to published reports.
Toronto has scheduled a Wednesday news conference for 1 p.m. ET at Maple Leafs Gardens.
The deal, reportedly worth $24 million, is contingent on Toronto trading incumbent goalie Felix Potvin on Wednesday, the Toronto Sun said.
Joseph's agent, Don Meehan, told the Sun he had secured a deal for his client, but wouldn't identify the team.
Toronto associate general manager Mike Smith was equally coy on whether his team had signed Joseph.
"I can't say anything," Smith said. "But I'm not denying anything."
Joseph appeared headed to the Rangers earlier in the week, but turned down a four-year, $22 million offer.
New York then turned back to Mike Richter and reportedly agreed on a four-year, $21.8 million contract with the goalie late Tuesday.
Joseph, 31, was 29-31-9 with a 2.63 goals-against average and eight shutouts last season for Edmonton.
The Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers are believed to be interested in Potvin, though Smith told the Edmonton Journal "I don't see Felix going to Montreal. I think I'll leave it at that."
Potvin, 27, was 26-33-7 with a 2.73 GAA with five shutouts last season.
Wednesday July 15, 1998 Eakins brought in to bolster defense
The Maple Leafs signed free-agent defenseman Dallas Eakins, the team announced.
Eakins, 31, played 23 games with the Florida Panthers last season, registering one assist and 44 penalty minutes. He has played 80 NHL games for five different clubs over the past six seasons.
Sunday July 12, 1998 Leafs sign free agent Thomas
Veteran left wing Steve Thomas, who has 324 goals in his 14-year NHL career, will return to the place where it all began.
Thomas signed as an unrestricted free agent with theToronto Maple Leafs. Terms were not disclosed.
The 34-year-old Thomas is coming off an injury-plagued season with the New Jersey Devils. He was sidelined for 20 games with a groin strain and four games with bruised ribs and finished with 14 goals and 10 assists in 55 contests. In New Jersey's first-round playoff loss to Ottawa, Thomas had three assists but failed to score a goal.
Saturday July 11, 1998 Sather tells Leafs no deal
Oilers GM Glen Sather slammed the door on a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who were trying to peddle goalie Felix Potvin, the Edmonton Sun reported.
"I'm not doing that deal. Absolutely not," said Sather.
Was the price too high, or do the Oilers just not like Potvin enough? "There's more than two reasons," said Sather, who was being asked to give up Boris Mironov and Boyd Devereaux in order to acquire Potvin.
Thursday July 9, 1998 Leafs continue coaching overhaul
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who replaced head coach Mike Murphy with Pat Quinn last month, announced Thursday that assistant coach Mike Kitchen and goaltending coach Rick Wamsley would not be returning to the coaching staff this season. Wamsley, 38, remains with the organization in a scouting capacity. The former NHL netminder has been on the Leafs' coaching staff since midway through the 1992-93 season. Kitchen, 42, joined the Leafs as an assistant in 1989 and served under head coaches Doug Carpenter, Tom Watt, Pat Burns, Nick Beverley and Mike Murphy.
Terry Simpson is the lone assistant left Quinn.
Wednesday July 8, 1998 Cujo for Potvin? Not a stretch
Curtis Joseph has made a logical argument in the past: If the Toronto Maple Leafs have Felix Potvin, why would they possibly want to sign him?
Ahh, but what if Potvin were no longer in the picture? What if Potvin was dealt to, oh, let's say, CuJo's old team -- the Edmonton Oilers? Could happen.
And should it happen, it would open the door for Joseph, a native of Keswick, Ontario, to wear the blue and white.
The Toronto Sun has reported that Toronto and Edmonton are again in talks about a trade that would send Potvin to the Oilers.
But the Oilers won't give up left wing Ryan Smyth. They are reported to have dangled (in various permutations) Janne Niinimaa, Boris Mironov and rookie center Boyd Devereaux.
"All I can say is teams keep talking to us about Felix Potvin in the hope they're going to hit the lottery," said Toronto associated GM Mike Smith. "He (Joseph) would be an expensive swing. Six million a year, long-term, is significantly more than we're paying Felix and he's just as good."
Joseph's agent, Don Meehan, confirmed the Leafs are talking with him, however.
The Leafs, meanwhile, also have a wish list that may include John MacLean, Steve Thomas, Murray Baron, Bob Rouse and Dmitri Mironov.
Friday July 3, 1998 Leafs re-sign Warriner
The Maple Leafs re-signed left wing Todd Warriner, who had been a Group II free agent. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The 24-year-old Warriner collected five goals and eight assists in 45 games last season. He collected 20 penalty minutes and led the team in a plus-5 rating. The 6-1, 188-pounder missed 27 games due to a thigh contusion suffered on November 15 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Friday July 3, 1998 Leafs, Flames exchange prospects
The Flames acquired defenseman David Cooper from the Maple Leafs for right wing Ladislav Kohn in a deal involving two players who have been unable to stick in the National Hockey League.
The 24-year-old Cooper had three assists in nine games with Toronto in 1997-98, but spent most of the season with St. John's of the American Hockey League, where he picked up 19 goals and 23 assists in 60 games.
Kohn, a 23-year-old Czech, had an assist in four games with Calgary this season. He led Saint John of the AHL in scoring with 25 goals and 31 assists in 65 games.
NEWS OF MAPLE LEAFS