NEWS OF MAPLE LEAFS
Last Update:
Thursday September 10, 1998 5:04PM EST
Thursday September 10, 1998 Cat to show up and fight for Cujo's job
Someone could make money with a map of North America and little Felix Potvin pins to move around it every day. But it appears the displaced Maple Leafs goaltender will hang his hat in Toronto when training camp opens in two days. After another conversation yesterday with the Florida Panthers went nowhere, Leafs associate general manager Mike Smith said he has told Potvin and Curtis Joseph yesterday they'll be competing for work, for the first
stage of camp anyway. "They're both professionals," Smith said last night before the Leafs-Carolina Hurricanes rookie game. "I don't think this will upset Curtis." If other teams decide to stand pat with their goaltending, Potvin may be around well into the regular season. Smith refuted a report that he now is dealing exclusively with Montreal, after the Habs dropped free agent Sean Burke from their plans. The source was Burke's agent, Mike Liut, who is now in negotiations with Florida general manager Bryan Murray. "I don't think Mike Liut knows what he's talking about," Smith said. "We've had continual conversations with all teams (Florida, Montreal, and Vancouver)." Canadiens general manager Rejean Houle told friends he had too much on his plate, such as eight unsigned free agents, to worry about Potvin's $2.7-million US salary, but could change his mind as he looks closer at his lack of depth in goal. Smith said Murray initiated yesterday's call, but nothing came of it. Smith won't say if the same four-player deal that fell apart last week is being discussed -- Potvin and defenceman Jeff Ware for centre Rob Niedermayer and defenceman Rhett Warrener. 1"It's pretty well over now," Murray told the Palm Beach Post of the Leafs talks. "I said (to Smith) we'll probably move on to other things." Murray has tried to put pressure on the Leafs by playing up the Burke talks, but Smith is not panicking. "He has been threatening to sign Sean Burke for three weeks," Smith said. "I wouldn't say anything's dead. But it's not going anywhere right now." Meantime, Leafs coach Pat Quinn reaffirmed plans to give Joseph and Potvin equal time in exhibition games. "This isn't something you can toy with," Quinn said. "This is what they do for a living. I know that circumstances are likely going to change, but we have to be the best we can be."
Wednesday September 9, 1998 Leafs gaining bad reputation
A second team now has blasted the Maple Leafs' "unprofessional
manner" supposedly for leaking names in potential trades for Felix Potvin. Brian Burke, general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, said yesterday his team is out of the Potvin hunt and then followed the lead of Florida's Bryan Murray in denouncing loose lips at the Gardens. He didn't mention Leafs associate general manager Mike Smith by name, but the inference seemed clear. Many rumoured deals with Vancouver have been mentioned through the summer, but Burke is said to be most upset about talk of a five-player trade -- Potvin and Mathieu Schneider for Alex Mogilny and youngsters Josh Holden and Bryan McCabe. The Canucks would part with Mogilny for the right price, but they have big plans for centre Holden, who also is recovering from a hand injury and McCabe, a valued defenceman. "We are out on Felix Potvin," Burke told the Vancouver Sun, "and we are extremely disappointed with the unprofessional manner in which Toronto has conducted these discussions. We are out and we have moved on."
Smith bristled when told of Burke's comments. "We have had no discussions of substance with Vancouver all summer, so how could I have leaked anything?" Smith said last night. "I don't like him saying that about me or the Maple Leafs, but that's life."
Murray had hammered Smith in the media in South Florida last week
after details of a four-player trade involving Potvin and Jeff Ware for Rob Niedermayer and Rhett Warrener were revealed. Though that deal also was held up by Smith's insistence that Niedermayer get medical clearance first, others in the Toronto and Florida hockey offices and on the Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment Ltd., board of directors were aware of the trade details. Smith denied Murray's charge last week, saying the media was only doing its job. Smith had little to say earlier yesterday about Potvin, other than talks with the Panthers are "in the Twilight Zone" after his last chat with Murray on Monday. But Smith had better hope a deal with the Panthers is completed, otherwise the opening of Leafs' camp this week will be totally absorbed by the media in the goaltending duel between Potvin and $24-million man Curtis Joseph. Keep 11 a.m., on Sept. 15 in mind, the day Potvin and Joseph are first scheduled to face each during the camp scrimmage tourney at Copps Coliseum. "We certainly aren't going to have Felix in the press box (in regular season)," Smith said.
It also has been learned that Joseph has a two-year, no-trade clause in his contract, which eliminates the possibility of Smith dumping Joseph should Potvin actually win the job. Murray also is looking at signing free agent Sean Burke. Another potential snag is that Niedermayer can refuse to submit to them neurological testing even if Florida agrees to it. Asked if there was a way around the medical issue, Smith said "sure, have the test." But Niedermayer hasn't been asked, nor volunteered to go to the Chicago specialist the Leafs have in mind. Potvin said he wouldn't have a problem working with Joseph in camp and didn't plan to make waves to try and force Smith's hand. "They've got a commitment to Curtis, but the ball's in Mike Smith's hands," Potvin said yesterday.
Tuesday September 8, 1998 Potvin will be in camp
Goalie Felix Potvin plans on reporting to training camp
on Saturday, despite the ongoing efforts to trade him. "I think that by coming to camp it gives me a chance to get ready and be at my best if a trade does happen," Potvin told the Toronto Sun. "I just want to go to camp, get ready like everyone else and do what I've always done." Potvin became expendable when the Leafs signed Curtis Joseph to a four-year, $24 million contract earlier this summer. "This isn't going to be a war between Curtis and myself. I've met him a few times, and he's a good guy," Potvin
said.
Tuesday September 8, 1998 Leafs resume Cat talks
The Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers have resurrected trade talks
concerning Toronto goaltender Felix Potvin.
But Panthers general manager Bryan Murray also is working on Plan B, as in Sean Burke. Murray told the Florida media yesterday that he and Leafs associate general manager Mike Smith spoke Saturday. Smith told The Toronto Sun on Sunday that the Florida talks were not dead but offered no guarantees.
A four-player trade -- Potvin and defenceman Jeff Ware for centre
Rob Niedermayer and defenceman Rhett Warrener -- stalled last
week when Smith demanded that Niedermayer's medicals records be
forwarded to Toronto doctors and that the player be checked by an
independent neurologist. Niedermayer had three concussions last
season. It's not known if the medical issue remains a stumbling block or if the same four players are involved in talks. Murray confirmed he had a serious talk with Mike Liut, the agent for
Group 3 netminder Burke. Burke spent the 1997-98 season with
Carolina, Vancouver and Philadelphia. Murray yesterday restated his anger that details of last week's trade talks were leaked in Toronto, stressing he didn't want a repeat. Niedermayer may have tried to disrupt the trade once it was made public, while Murray said Warrener is going out of his mind at home in Saskatchewan, wondering whether to report to the Panthers or Leafs camps this week. Smith could not be reached for comment last night.
Monday September 7, 1998 Quinn pledges more offence
The Maple Leafs offence will not go the way of the Canadian dollar if Pat Quinn can help it. The new coach intends to give fans more bang for their buck after Toronto's 194 goals last season marked the club's worst showing in 33 winters. That means no neutral-zone trap, no left-wing lock -- unless the Leafs are still as bad up front as many hockey magazines are predicting.
"I just hate such a static form of hockey," Quinn said of the dreaded trap. "I've never liked it, though I understand why some clubs have to use it. "I'm not sure we have to (hold back), based on what I've seen in the tapes of games I watched this summer. We do want pressure on the puck in every zone, especially in home games. But a lot depends on the personnel we have at training camp."
Departed head coach Mike Murphy preferred to hold back last year,
particularly when he was saddled with a stone-handed team. The
situation grew worse when Mats Sundin and Mike Johnson slumped, Sergei Berezin and Igor Korolev went south and Derek King failed to deliver. All are back, with the addition of free agent Steve Thomas and the long-overdue second-line centre who presumably will be acquired for Felix Potvin. The conservatism cut the goals against as planned, but lost its effect when the Leafs often fell behind early in a game. Quinn also will have the benefit of some scorer-friendly rule changes after last season's NHL average of 5.28 goals a game marked a 42-year low. If some offensive-minded Maple Leafs felt they were being restricted last year, it looks as if they'll have a chance to put up or shut up. "It won't be run-and-gun hockey, but it's safe to say we will be a more (wide-open) team this year," associate general manager Mike
Smith said. Quinn didn't spare the horses as coach in Vancouver, where his three full seasons behind the bench yielded 40-win seasons and an average of more than 300 goals. But that was a big team, dripping with two-way talent that beat the Leafs in the 1994 Western Conference final.
Saturday September 5, 1998 Chance for cat to be top dog
Only one story would be bigger than Curtis Joseph joining the Maple Leafs this year -- Felix Potvin beating him out as Toronto's No. 1 goaltender. Incredible as it sounds -- Potvin coming to camp and dueling the $6-million man who was supposed to usurp him -- it's suddenly quite plausible after trade talks involving The Cat hit a wall this week. The start of Leafs' training camp is now just a week away. Associate general manager Mike Smith and coach Pat Quinn both said yesterday that if they can't swap Potvin for a second-line centre in the next few days the goaltender will be expected in Hamilton with 52 other Leafs and given every chance to beat out Cujo. "We would let them go at it," Smith said yesterday with a straight face. "Maybe Felix will beat him out." Quinn acknowledged the awkwardness of such an arrangement, with the team's goalies alone earning roughly $10 million US if you count Glenn Healy, but said his mandate would be clear. "They're our highest-paid players and my job is to put the best 20 guys out there," Quinn said. "I know this situation doesn't usually work in the long run, but Joseph and Potvin are both professionals. I expect Felix will show up and that he'll play (in exhibition games)." Jay Fee, Potvin's agent, yesterday would not rule out his client staying away when Leafs' camp opens. Despite what Smith and Quinn are saying, it lessens the distractions for them if Potvin doesn't report, not to mention saving the Leafs about $10,000 US a day in fines on his $2.5-million contract. "We're evaluating our options," Fee said. "Right now, (the money he would lose on team suspension) isn't an issue. What matters is finding a comfort level for Felix."
Smith and Quinn shrugged off the media frenzy that would surely be touched off by having Joseph and Potvin on the same team, as well as the crowd created during on-ice workouts. There may be resentment in the dressing room toward the front office if the popular Potvin is left twisting in the wind. "You (media) guys would make it an issue, not us," Smith said of the gathering storm. Quinn said the probability that Potvin would move elsewhere by the start of the regular season would temper any problems among players. Smith doubted it would ever get to the stage where the Leafs would consider trading Joseph's big ticket.
As for the status of Potvin trade talks, Smith was coy yesterday. It's likely he has approached Vancouver and Montreal again, but neither has a match for Potvin yet. With the attractive Rob Niedermayer proposal -- which includes Jeff Ware for the Panthers' Rhett Warrener -- blocked by a medical issue, there remains the chance of a compromise with Florida. If the Leafs can somehow convince Panthers general manager Bryan Murray to let Niedermayer submit to neurological testing before, rather than after, a trade, the clubs may still be able to work something out.
Friday September 4, 1998 Leafs sign LW Niklas Andersson
Left wing Niklas Andersson, who spent all of last season in the
minor leagues, signed Friday with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Terms were not disclosed. The 27-year-old Andersson split the 1997-98 season between Kentucky of the American Hockey League and Utah of the International Hockey League. He had 10 goals and 28 assists in 37 games with the AHL's Thoroughblades, adding six goals and 20 assists in 21 games for the IHL's Grizzlies.
Andersson, the younger brother of Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Mikael, has played 124 NHL games with Quebec and the New York Islanders. His best season was 1996-97, when he had 12 goals and 31 assists in 74 games with the Islanders.
Friday September 4, 1998 Trade talks spur cat fight
The Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are talking again -- but it's through the media and in Bryan Murray's case, not very
complimentary. The Panthers general manager yesterday lashed out at the Leafs' Mike Smith for monkeying with the Felix Potvin-Rob Niedermayer trade trade to the point of ruin. He blamed the Leafs associate general manager for dragging his feet on Niedermayer's medical records, leaking the four-player trade principals to the media and for scuttling a deal that seemed a win-win for both teams. But while the Panthers scramble for an option, the Leafs aren't getting far with other potential Potvin suitors and the two teams eventually may get back together. Murray told reporters in Miami yesterday he would have cancelled the Potvin trade if it's proved Niedermayer isn't healthy, but wouldn't allow further neurological tests on Niedermayer as a condition of the deal.
"There's nothing wrong with Rob," Murray said. He said that if the Panthers agreed to the Leafs' wishes, it would "allow players in future to control trades if they've had injuries in the past."
Murray also said he offered Smith another player, believed to be
ex-Leafs centre Dave Gagner, in an effort to keep talks going. Smith turned him down. "I don't have anything to say (about Murray's comments)," Smith said. "His responsibility is the same as mine -- trying to do the best trade for his team." Smith said he's well within his rights to ask for Niedermayer's records, given the centre suffered three concussions last season.
Smith said he's at the stage where he has to think about training camp and less about Potvin, an indication he's not getting very far with other clubs in trade talks for the goalie. "Toronto hasn't made a formal proposal to me for players and I've never made one to them," Canucks general manager Brian Burke told the Vancouver Sun yesterday. "I have given them an indication of
some of the players I would include in a deal." Vancouver doesn't have goalies Garth Snow, Corey Hirsch or Arturs Irbe under contract and the Leafs like 20-year-old centre Josh Holden, who collected 99 points in just 56 games with the Regina Pats last season. But Vancouver's first pick (12th overall) in the 1996 draft severed wrist and thumb tendons and ligaments during the playoffs last season and may not be healthy. Burke scoffed at reports Alex Mogilny and others might be headed to Toronto in return for Potvin. "I would have a hard time trading Alexander Mogilny for Felix Potvin one-for-one," he said. "I wouldn't even do that." Meanwhile Montreal's interest in Potvin has waned considerably since making a pitch for the goalie in July.
With eight unsigned players, including Saku Koivu, Martin Rucinsky, Vlad Malakhov, Brian Savage and Patrice Brisebois, the Canadiens aren't keen to add Potvin's $2.5 million US salary.
That could change if Jocelyn Thibault or Jose Theodore falters during the pre-season.
Thursday September 3, 1998 Cat-trade talks could have a ninth life
Head games have stalled -- but not killed -- a Felix Potvin-for-Rob Niedermayer trade with the Florida Panthers.
While Maple Leafs associate general manager Mike Smith says he is
shopping Potvin elsewhere and the Panthers front office was angry
enough at Smith to suspend talks Tuesday, neither side would say the deal is dead. Panthers sources insist the deal is "still on the table," while Smith said he likely was going to contact Panthers general manager Bryan Murray last night. "I don't know what will happen," Smith said. Each side has blamed the other for making late demands that otherwise would have seen a deal go through late last week. The trade, which also would see defencemen Jeff Ware of the Leafs and Rhett Warrener of the Panthers change teams, still hinges on the Leafs getting a satisfactory medical report on Niedermayer, who had three concussions last season. The Leafs now claim their doctors have not seen Niedermayer's medical records, let alone received permission from Florida to have an independent specialist take a look. Florida, while assuring there is nothing amiss with Niedermayer, wants an unconditional trade that can't be changed if problems arise. "No medical records, no deal," Smith said yesterday. "We're talking about million-dollar players here. This is too big a deal for the Maple Leafs." Smith also denied that his tough stance on the medical issue is a bluff to squeeze another player or draft pick out of Murray. Rumors swirled yesterday that a Panthers news conference at noon today is to announce they have signed Sean Burke as their Plan B in goal. But it's a regularly scheduled session to discuss the rookie camp
and Burke's agent, Mike Liut, said yesterday he has not talked to
Murray lately. Smith may well be talking to other NHL teams, but the same problems remain. Montreal's best players have restrictive contracts; players that Vancouver has offered are too expensive or untested; and the Islanders no longer are interested in Potvin. Niedermayer's desire to leave Florida also is being questioned. There have been conflicting statements from him regarding the degree of headaches and dizziness resulting from the concussions and some wonder if the centre isn't planting a seed of doubt in the Leafs' minds. He has played five years in Florida and has a girlfriend there, model Nikki Taylor.
But the 23-year-old also is said to be interested in a change of hockey scenery, to assert himself with a younger team such as the Leafs rather than the veteran-laden Panthers.
Wednesday September 2, 1998 Holding out in Cat talks
When it comes to foot-dragging, few do it better than the Maple
Leafs. The Leafs yesterday reportedly threatened to cancel a trade involving Felix Potvin and Rob Niedermayer unless the Florida Panthers allowed Niedermayer to undergo a battery of tests by an independent specialist. The Leafs claim to be wary of Niedermayer, who suffered three concussions in the span of 33 games last season, but insiders believe the Toronto threat is partly an attempt to squeeze another player or draft pick out of the Panthers. On Saturday the Panthers agreed to send centre Niedermayer and defenceman Rhett Warrener to the Leafs for goaltender Potvin and defenceman Jeff Ware, who spent last season in St. John's. Panthers general manager Bryan Murray was convinced the deal would go through two days ago and told his staff to expect it. Instead, the Leafs demanded more medical data on Niedermayer, who is projected as the Leafs' second-line centre. While the Leafs doctors have reviewed the medical information and are satisfied, associate general manager Mike Smith wants an independent opinion. But though Smith also claims to be talking to other suitors such as Vancouver and Montreal about Potvin, it's believed he's posturing. Insiders say it's unrealistic to expect those teams to match Florida's offer.
Vancouver can't do much without involving a third team, while a
Canadiens source says Montreal general manager Rejean Houle is
gun-shy. Virtually every trade Houle has agreed to over the past two years has backfired and he knows one more bad deal could cost him his job. That leaves Florida. "As far as I'm concerned, everything is status quo," Murray said in a statement released to reporters. Meanwhile, Niedermayer claims he is ready to go. "I think it's behind me now," the 23-year-old told the Palm Beach
Post yesterday. "I haven't had any headaches (after my workouts)." The native of Cranbrook, B.C., arrived in Florida on the weekend and has been skating with a few teammates in Sunrise.
Naturally, he isn't anxious to leave. "(The trade speculation) surprised me a little bit," Niedermayer said. "I don't want to go anywhere. I've been here from the start and I feel a lot of good things happening with this team. "I won't be able to play golf year-round (if I'm traded to Toronto)." Meanwhile, one source close to the Leafs predicted a Potvin-for-Niedermayer trade eventually would get done, perhaps as early as tomorrow, when Smith and head coach Pat Quinn are expected back in Toronto.
"If they were that worried about Niedermayer, negotiations never
would have gone this far," the source said.
Wednesday September 2, 1998 Schneider joins unsigned sitters
Mathieu Schneider confirms he won't be at the Maple Leafs camp
without a contract -- if he's still Toronto property at all.
As reported yesterday in The Toronto Sun, Schneider is ready to join a long list of Group 2 free agents planning to stay home next week. More than 130 Group 2 NHL players are unsigned. "You can buy all the insurance in the world, but if I don't have a
contract, I won't show up," Schneider said yesterday as members of the Leafs and other NHLers worked out informally at a Scarborough rink. "Toronto has to make a decision to sign me or trade me." Schneider is hoping the defencemen at the top of the Group 2 list, such as Sandis Ozolinsh, Rob Blake and Scott Niedermayer, will come to terms shortly, creating the same domino effect of unrestricted Group 3 signings in July. As Toronto's camp approaches on Sept. 12, it's looking like the 29-year-old defenceman will be playing elsewhere, for his fourth club in five years. And Schneider, who made $2.5 million US last year, clearly would like to make any new contract arrangement in advance with his next team. "I think that we would have to be lying under a rock to not think that that's a possibility," Schneider's agent, Steve Reich, said yesterday. "His name certainly comes up around the league any time you hear the Maple Leafs mentioned in a trade. "He hasn't requested a trade. But if it is going to happen, we clearly would like to negotiate with the new team."
The Florida Panthers asked to have Schneider included in the stalled talks for Felix Potvin. But the Leafs wanted too much in return. "I want to stay in Toronto," Schneider said, citing the arrival of new coach Pat Quinn as one of the reasons. "My name keeps coming up because of my contract situation, but I'm not the only one." There has been grumbling at the players' association headquarters in Toronto and at the league office in New York, with each other's hierarchy being blamed for orchestrating the delays in Group 2 signings. "I'm sure it's a bit of both, but the (teams) have a history of procrastinating," Schneider said. "If I'm L.A., I try to wrap up a guy like Rob Blake. "The owners have a history of waiting until the last minute and it looks like it will continue. It may cost the owners in the end."
Tuesday September 1, 1998 Panthers on the prowl: Potvin all but gone as Florida's trade offer includes
Niedermayer, Warrener
The Maple Leafs are as close as a phone call away from trading Felix Potvin to the Florida Panthers. In return, Toronto would get centre Rob Niedermayer, defenceman Rhett Warrener and at least one new fan -- Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and Niedermayer girlfriend Nikki Taylor. "We've been at the point in the past 14 days where you're one phone call away from something but it hasn't materialized," Leafs associate general manager Mike Smith said last night. While Smith insists three teams continue to compete for Potvin's services, only the Panthers can offer what the Leafs value the most -- a blue-chip centre and a solid defenceman in one tidy package. Along with Potvin, the Leafs would ship a defenceman -- Jeff Ware or D. J. Smith -- to Florida. An exchange of draft picks also is said to be involved. While the deal looks heavily weighted in Toronto's favor -- neither Ware, a former first-round pick, nor Smith distinguished himself on the St. John's farm team last season -- Niedermayer could turn out to be another Brett Lindros. Too many concussions forced a 21-year-old Lindros to retire after three seasons with the New York Islanders. Niedermayer suffered three concussions last season and as recently as last month was held out of some workouts at a skills camp in Finland, which other Panthers attended.
RECOVERED
While Niedermayer's agent, Mike Barnett, insists his client has recovered from those head injuries, the Panthers would not have included Niedermayer in a deal for Potvin if not for serious concerns about the centre's brittle makeup. The 23-year-old has missed 71 games during the past two seasons as a result of knee, groin, wrist, hand and head injuries. However, his real troubles started last October when the Flyers' Eric Lindros high-sticked him under the chin with seconds left in the season opener. A groggy Niedermayer sat out 10 games. Shortly after returning to the lineup, the 6-foot-2 centre dislocated a thumb, missing 15 more games. Niedermayer suffered a second concussion Jan. 14 against Phoenix, despite being fitted with a Pat LaFontaine-type helmet which offered
better head protection. Niedermayer called it quits for the season after suffering a third concussion, March 17 against Vancouver. The Canadiens and New York Islanders are the other teams reportedly pursuing Potvin. The Habs last month offered forward Brian Savage, goalie Jocelyn Thibault and defensive prospect Miloslav Guren for the Leafs goaltender. A deal with the Islanders could include former No. 1 pick Bryan Berard. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks have given up their pursuit of
Potvin and likely will offer Arturs Irbe a new contract. Irbe, an
unrestricted free agent, posted a 14-11-6 record with Vancouver last season. As of yesterday, the Canucks didn't have a single goalie with NHL experience under contract as both Garth Snow and Corey Hirsch are unsigned Group II free agents. Florida is expected to offer Kirk McLean back to Vancouver if it acquires Potvin. While Canucks coach Mike Keenan isn't a big fan of McLean, whom he traded to Carolina last winter, Vancouver general
manager Brian Burke apparently likes him.
Tuesday September 1, 1998 Schneider done with the Leafs?
The Maple Leafs' lone star on defence, Mathieu Schneider, is in no hurry to re-sign with the team and could be a no-show when training camp opens Sept. 12 in Hamilton. Schneider, a Group II restricted free agent, believes the Leafs intend to trade him before their NHL season opener on Oct. 10 against Detroit and would rather negotiate with his new club. Bill Watters, who is handling the negotiations for Toronto, said if the Leafs are trading Schneider, it's news to him. "I hope to talk to Mathieu's agent (Steve Reich) again this week and we'll see what happens," the Leafs assistant to the president said yesterday.
Reich and Schneider could not be reached for comment Schneider, who made $2.5 million US last season, has been a source of countless trade rumors the past two seasons.