NEWS OF MAPLE LEAFS
Last Update:
Monday November 30, 1998 3:53PM EST
Sunday November 29, 1998 Oilers could need Potvin
Could this be the year that Canadian teams return to the late stages of the playoffs?
In the East, the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing with a new-found confidence, and if they ever get around to moving Felix Potvin they may make a playoff impression.
But the Canadian team that is really turning some heads is the Edmonton Oilers, who in recent weeks have caused a number of hockey people to point out that they're "only a goalie away from being a real team." In those circles, a "real team" is a genuine Stanley Cup contender.
As a result, speculation continues that Potvin may wind up in Edmonton. Right now, the Oilers are assessing Mikhail Shtalenkov, whom they acquired from Nashville. Shtalenkov is big, mobile and talented, the three primary attributes for today's goalies. But is he talented enough to take the team to the Stanley Cup final?
The other commodities appear to be there. The defence -- led by Boris Mironov, Janne Niinimaa and Roman Hamrlik -- is the league's most potent. Up front, the Oilers are loaded with offensive talent. And they're extremely well-coached.
The Oilers' depth is illustrated by the fact that their top three scorers last year were Doug Weight, Dean McAmmond and Ryan Smith. At the moment, that trio has a grand total of one goal. Yet the Oilers are in first place in their division and third in the conference.
If those three are rolling in March, and Shtalenkov appears lacking, look for the Oilers to go after Potvin. He'll probably still be in Toronto then.
Wednesday November 25, 1998 Healy tires of cooling heels
The agent for out-of-sight, out-of-mind netminder Glenn Healy hopes the Maple Leafs will remember his client if a chance to move him comes along.
Larry Rauch also said he has the green light to seek his own deal to get Healy out of limbo with the Chicago Wolves of the International Hockey League. But he's not hopeful on either count at the moment.
"In my conversations with (Leafs associate general manager Mike Smith), he said he would not inhibit us, but it's extremely obvious there's not a great need for goaltenders in the league right now," Rauch said. "Everyone around is healthy -- thank God -- and no one wants a crowd of three goaltenders.
"What we hope the Leafs recognize is Glenn's 11 or 12 years of hard work building a career and a reputation.
"This (demotion) is something he accepted for the good of the club, but it hurts everyone when a major-league player is in the minors. It's not good emotionally. We're keeping our eyes open for something."
The 36-year-old Healy, who went 11 years without a stint in the minors, has been with Chicago since the start of the season when the Leafs couldn't find a taker for Felix Potvin.
Smith, who continues to pay Healy $1.2 million US as well as Potvin $2.7 million US to play about once a week, hoped to speak to Healy this week to apprise him of the Potvin saga and reassure him. Smith would have had trouble contacting Healy yesterday as the Wolves endured a 51/2-hour sojourn by bus for a game in Cincinnati tonight.
"We certainly wouldn't (object to Healy getting a chance elsewhere in the NHL)," Smith said. "But there's nothing that has come up and not a lot of demand."
Agents as dealers
There was talk Potvin's agent Jay Fee might get to try to work his own deal, but Smith said a player of Potvin's stature would remain his responsibility.
Smith had hoped to find a trading partner by now, but the Chicago-Montreal deal a week ago took two teams out of the running.
Wednesday November 18, 1998 Habs still in Cat hunt?: Don't be surprised if Canadiens come calling if Jeff can't Hackett in Montreal
If Jeff Hackett can't hack it, the Maple Leafs may yet be able to interest the Canadiens in Felix Potvin.
Hackett's arrival in Montreal's net is being attacked in all quarters of the emotional but influential Montreal media. One television poll showed nearly 90% of viewers opposed to the six-player trade on Monday with Chicago, while a prominent columnist dismissed Hackett as "sieve of the month." Le Journal de Montreal predicted general manager Rejean Houle would be fired if this deal damages the Habs' playoff hopes.
A poor performance by Hackett in the next few weeks, starting tomorrow against Calgary, could bring Houle back to the trade table with the Leafs.
"There'll be tremendous pressure on Hackett," an NHL general manager said last night. "If he can't handle it, then the next time Montreal goes after a goalie, they won't just be dipping their toe in the water, they'll be going (for Potvin)."
The Canadiens acquired Hackett and defencemen Eric Weinrich and Alain Nasreddine from Chicago for goalie Jocelyn Thibault and defencemen Dave Manson and Brad Brown.
Should the Leafs be waiting for Chicago to make another move in goal, it likely would not come until after a Blackhawks coaching change. Thibault is only 23 and has long-term potential.
It is more likely Dirk Graham will take the hit behind the bench if the deal with Montreal, designed to toughen his last-place team, doesn't produce quick results.
Toronto associate general manager Mike Smith, whose discussions with Montreal and Chicago showed his preference to get a Potvin deal done by the end of the month, said he spoke with a couple of other teams yesterday.
"They weren't substantial talks," Smith said.
Though Smith insists he will wait for the best offer, it makes sense that he could establish a time frame for a trade, thus creating a sense of urgency among rival general managers and bringing fence-sitting clubs such as Edmonton and Ottawa to the table. Senators officials have asked the Leafs to call them before finalizing any Potvin deal.
The timing seemingly would be right, as many teams traditionally re-evaluate their rosters during the U.S. Thanksgiving weekend, Nov, 26-29, which coincides with the quarter-pole of the schedule.
News of the Chicago-Montreal trade devastated Potvin, who has been waiting for a trade since the Leafs signed free-agent goalie Curtis Joseph four months ago. Potvin's agent, Jay Fee, told CTV Sportsnet that conditions for Potvin with the Leafs have been "abusive" and told The Toronto Sun his client "has no morale left to boost."
"It's a bitter disappointment," Fee said last night from Boston. "Two potential destinations are gone at once."
But Fee said the latest developments would not force Potvin to play his last card -- walking out on the Leafs. "Not at this time," Fee said.
Smith, who has been accused of being too cold in his relationship with Potvin, said he understood how Potvin must feel now and planned to speak to him today in Washington prior to the game.
Joseph likely will start the game, with Potvin making his fifth start of the season Friday in Buffalo -- the opener of a home-and-home series.
Saturday November 14, 1998 Finally, Cat deal gets a deadline: Potvin gone by Nov. 26?
The Maple Leafs finally are talking turkey about trading Felix Potvin.
The Leafs, it has been learned, have established the American Thanksgiving holiday -- Nov. 26 -- as a deadline for moving their $2.7-million backup goaltender.
At least four teams are expected to enter bids on Potvin, including the Chicago Blackhawks and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
The Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks also are interested in the 27-year-old netminder.
After watching his team get blown out 10-3 by the Leafs on Thursday night, Blackhawks general manager Bob Murray admitted he is in the market for a first-string goalie.
"Obviously, I'm looking," Murray told the Chicago-Sun-Times yesterday. "You look at all our games. We're not getting the big stops.
"(Goaltending) is so critical in this league, the way things are," Murray said. "You watch teams on the dish every night and you see the team that has the best goaltending is winning right now.
"You can just see our bench sag with some of the goals we're giving up."
Players that Chicago might make available to Toronto include second-string centre Alexei Zhamnov, who played for Leafs associate general manager Mike Smith in Winnipeg, and rookie right winger J.P. Dumont.
Dumont, 20, collected 44 goals and 108 points with the Val d'Or juniors last season.
Potvin is expected to back up Curtis Joseph tonight against Ottawa, while former Leafs goalie Damian Rhodes starts for the Senators.
"I'm approaching it like any other game," said Rhodes, who was traded to Ottawa on Jan., 23, 1996. "This is a big game for us. They've been playing well as a team and we have to be prepared."
"We've had a lot of success and we just have to play well."
Thursday November 12, 1998 It was 67 years ago tonight: March scored first MLG goal
Perhaps the most important artifact of the first game at Maple Leaf Gardens history sits on a bedroom dresser in Elmhurst, Ill.
And it's not going anywhere.
"The puck is right where I can see it," 90-year-old Harold (Mush) March says with a cackle.
March, a former Chicago Blackhawk, scored the first goal in building history, 67 years ago tonight.
"It was just one of those things when you're there at the right time for something special."
The goal came at 2:30 of the opening period, after a lengthy opening ceremony and a nervous start by the Maple Leafs. March still can see Doc Romnes winning a faceoff in the Leafs zone and the puck coming over to him on right wing.
Newspaper accounts say Tommy Cook also had an assist and that March flipped the puck over Toronto goaltender Lorne Chabot.
AMAZED
"I shot it, I looked and I was very surprised when it went in," March said.
Charlie Conacher scored the first Leafs goal in their spacious new home at 18:42 of the second period, vividly recalled by Maple Leafs fan Tommy Gaston, who was in attendance with his dad and now works at the Hockey Hall Of Fame.
"Mush's goal was a fancy bit of work, but Chuck just let go one of his bombs," Gaston said. "They said Chuck could shoot so hard he could put it through the end boards. We didn't like the final score (2-1 Hawks), but everyone didn't really care because the Gardens was so nice and new."
Vic Ripley had the winner for the Hawks at 2:35 of the third. More than 13,000 goals have followed as the Leafs prepare to leave the Gardens three months tomorrow, with a Feb. 13 finale against the Hawks.
March, who was nicknamed for the old Dick Tracy cartoon villain Mush Mouth, is listed as being deceased by the NHL Guide and Record Book.
But the Saskatchewan native is still mobile, 53 years after his retirement, and dropped the puck at a recent Blackhawks game.
"I've been to a lot of affairs where they ask me about the goal," March said. "No one has offered me money for the puck (which has his picture mounted on it), but I would never sell it anyway."
Wenesday November 11, 1998 Dog days:
Joseph having a rocky ride with the Leafs
The dog is starting to hear some cat calls in Toronto.
Curtis Joseph, one of the more popular Edmonton Oilers in recent years, is having a rocky ride right now in Toronto.
The Leafs have the second worst goals-against average in the league, Cujo's save percentage is below .900, he's given up 13 goals in his last three games and he has just one win in his last six starts.
All the while, last year's starter Felix Potvin sits on the bench, twiddling his thumbs and waiting for a trade that seems like it'll never come.
The pressure is mounting on all fronts.
Having fun yet, Curtis?
"We started well in pre-season, had some confidence going, then we hit a little bump in the road here the last few games,'' said Joseph, whose last point was a 6-6 tie with New York.
Gretz spoiled it
"A tough outing, a weird one against the Rangers on Saturday, it was like the last shot was going to win the game. Gretzky spoiled it for us, batting one in from behind the net. We played a lot better (against the Isles) but we seem to find ways to lose a game. That's unfortunate, but hopefully it's going to turn around soon.''
The Leafs had a goalie, of course, but signed Joseph to a huge free-agent deal that'll pay him $5.5 million US this year and $6 million next.
They don't pay you that kind of cash to split the goaltending duties, so Potvin was unceremoniously shoved aside.
"We talk about different things,'' said Joseph. "I know it's a hard situation for him but he's hanging in there great, he's working hard every day. He knows if something happens soon he has to be ready. I think he made the right decision by coming (to camp) and staying in shape. He's been really good to me, really professional.''
It's no bed of roses as it is, but it could have been a lot worse if Potvin wasn't such a good soldier.
"It can be a more difficult situation,'' admitted Joseph. "But he's been really great about it, made it a lot better than it could have been.''
It's still an uneasy situation. The Toronto media is on 24-hour trade watch alert. Potvin is frustrated. Joseph is struggling. The Leafs have a worse GAA than they did last year, while Edmonton, to add insult to injury, is better.
It can't be easy to perform in that kind of environment.
"It shouldn't effect me,'' said Joseph. "I don't want anybody to feel sorry for me, that's for sure. My job description is to go out there and stop the puck. That's usually what I do best. I go out there every day and work on my game and things haven't changed.''
Oiler GM Glen Sather says it's a tough situation, but the Leafs have no one to blame but themselves.
"Nobody should make a deal with them, they should have to carry those salaries around the whole year,'' he chuckled.
"What they should do, because they took Cujo for nothing, is give us Potvin and pay his salary. Think they'd go for that?'''
Seriously, Sather says he isn't interested in any deal for Potvin. Or a swap for any other goaltender, for that matter
"I'm happy with our goaltending. If we made a trade with Toronto it would weaken our team in two places.''
Surprised
*Why tinker when your club is hanging out in the NHL penthouse? Even Slats admits he's been surprised by their start.
"I didn't have any inkling that we'd be in first place this year. I know that last year we really came together, but the turmoil with Cujo (unrestricted free agency) and having Doug Weight injured, this team would have had a reasonable excuse to lay down.''
Can it last till spring?
"They are a resilient bunch of guys. If they stay healthy for the rest of the year it could happen.''
Bill Guerin is leading the charge, prompting the inevitable question: If he keeps it up, how will the Oilers be able to sign him next season?
"You hope he doesn't score 50,'' said Slats, only half-jokingly. "It's pretty much self defeating. You want him to be successful, but on the other hand, if he's too successful you can't sign him. You go through the whole (contract) war again.
'I guess ideally you want 20 guys who are 20-goal scorers.''
Wenesday November 11, 1998 In remembrance: Hockey world wasn't immune to the sacrifices of wartime
Pat Quinn always thunders about getting players "who will go to war" with him.
But around every Nov. 11, the Maple Leafs coach wonders if his favourite analogy can be justified.
"I don't know if one can appreciate what going to war really means unless you've been in one," Quinn said solemnly. "Most of us learn about death second-hand. Even for many people in my generation (he was born in 1943), war was just about getting a ration book."
Quinn learned something of the perils and hardships of the real thing from his father John Ernest Quinn, who served aboard Canadian destroyer escorts in the Second World War on convoy duty during the Battle of the Atlantic. The retired Hamilton fireman rose to the rank of petty officer while dodging and duelling the deadly German U-boats.
"He would talk about the 60-foot seas buckling the front of some ships, but there were things he saw that he didn't want to speak about," Quinn said. "I'm sure he's like a lot of veterans. There are things they don't want to remember."
Quinn's military bearing goes back to his grandfather, George Ireland -- nicknamed Snooze when he played for the Hamilton Tigers football team -- who had the high-risk task of a munitions carrier in the Canadian army in the First World War. So Quinn is well aware that the poppy he wears behind the bench tonight is connected to the John McCrae poem, In Flanders Fields.
"It's such a powerful verse," Quinn said. "And it became part of the motto of the Canadiens dressing room ('... To you with failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.')."
More than 60,000 Canadians lost their lives in the First World War, 42,042 more in the 1939-45 conflict and 1,202 in Korea in the early 1950s. Some of them were hockey stars, while some survivors gave up their best playing years or had their careers shortened or ended by wounds.
Hockey Hall Of Famers George Richardson and Scotty Davidson of the Toronto Arenas and American Hobey Baker all died in the First World War.
Scoring ace Red Tilson, who had just led the Oshawa Generals to the 1943 Memorial Cup, was a casualty in the Second World War, as were Toronto-born Dudley (Red) Garrett of the Rangers and Leafs farmhand Jack Fox. Tilson has an Ontario Hockey League trophy named after him.
Gardens founder Conn Smythe, a decorated artilleryman, pilot and prisoner of the First World War, named his hockey team after the emblem that servicemen wore on their helmets and uniforms. As a major in the Second World War, he formed an artillery battery of Gardens employees and Toronto sports figures.
During his second tour of duty, Smythe was wounded trying to put out a fire on an ammunition truck and was in pain the rest of his life. He made it a point after the war to find the grave of Fox, the Leafs farmhand, in Europe.
"We can be so self-absorbed that we don't think of what our people gave up years ago," Quinn said. "Would we make the same decision to go and fight as they did?
"Even today, you could meet an older guy who says, 'I could've made the NHL if I'd stayed home.' You might think, `Yeah, sure,' but so many really made that sacrifice."
The greatest Leafs stars of the era served their country, such as Syl Apps and Turk Broda. Army engineer Howie Meeker -- a future Leaf, coach, broadcaster and Hall of Fame member -- almost was killed while training in England when a fellow soldier's grenade was thrown at his feet.
"I would have killed the bastard, but they transferred him first," Meeker said.
He survived his wounds and landed in France a year later. Upon returning home, Meeker resumed his hockey career and was named the NHL's rookie of the year in 1947.
"Hockey was our morale booster over there," Meeker said.
Foster Hewitt's Leafs broadcasts, starting with a special hello to the armed forces, were a welcome image of home to those in Europe, Asia or the middle of the stormy Atlantic. Few listeners cared that the games were two weeks old.
Observing radio silence, airmen on missions weren't supposed to tune in to the games. But that didn't stop the Canadian crew of a Lancaster bomber during one sortie. The pilot called a mock Toronto game over the intercom, with a winning goal so believable that the tail-gunner, who hated the Leafs, argued vehemently it was offside.
The thousands of Canadians quartered in England before D-Day often would attend games played by powerful army, navy and air force teams at bases in Manchester, Brighton and Richmond. When a Nazi bomb tore the roof off the makeshift rink in Manchester, a tent was erected with a support pole sticking out of the blue line.
"It was better than a third defenceman," Meeker said.
The English, trying to be good hosts to crowds of up to 8,000 Canucks, sent regimental bands to the games. But instead of playing during breaks, the misguided musicians would strike up military marches when the puck dropped.
"The Tilson kid was a sure-fire NHLer," Meeker said. "Remembrance Day is the one day you think of those who weren't as fortunate as you."