z_The Hockey Page - Toronto Star

Optimism

I know all the clichés about the meaningless preseason, and don’t read too much into it, and so yawn.

But here’s one last nugget from the means-nuthin’ season that was lost in the shuffling. Two nuggets, actually, from the Leafs’ final exhibition game, a pair of goals (one by Czerkawski, one by Antropov) that had all five players on the ice touching the puck -- advancing the puck -- all the way from behind their own net, up the boards and to the opposite goal.

It was like flashing back to those steamy-hot mornings inside the ice-cold Ricoh, and you’re drinking some unidentifiable hot dark beverage while they’re doing breakout drills on the ice, over and over again. To see it executed so well during a game, even in a sort-of game, was the equal of rays of sunshine breaking through rainy-day clouds. If we can get enough of that to get us through the winter, it’s not so bad, is it?

Of course, on the morning of what’s literally a new dawning for the NHL, Damien Cox is setting the breakfast table. Cox pulls double duty, too, asking then answering his own question:

"Can the Leafs adjust aggressively and efficiently to the new NHL? History, at least the history of this franchise since George Armstrong lifted the Cup, says no, or at least that the adjustment will be slow and painful."

Dave Perkins is thinking about history, too – the ’68 version of the Leafs, led by one George F. Imlach. Over at the Sun, Steve Simmons is standing Pat and there’s 10 items to keep an eye on.

From the Ex files, how ‘bout that Yanic Perreault? And for those of you who like to have a punt with your shinny, check out this little gem on the new rules of betting the NHL.

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Thanks, Chris. We like to see the optimism on opening night. And before I get to the links, let me use this space for a shameless plug for tonight's game plan. Over in waymoresports, Chris will be hosting a live gamecast for tonight's contest. So for those of you who can't watch it on TV, and especially for those of you who are watching, but need an immediate outlet to rant during the second period after an Eric Lindros giveaway sorry, optimism - a sweet Eric Lindros goal, check out this page to get in on the action.

The links:

In case you missed it yesterday, Chris had us in stitches in his JABS forum with his best of the worst media guide covers. It's worth checking out if only to see Pat Quinn's 1980s mustache. Scroll down past the Rafer madness - you won't regret it.

Do the Leafs still hold the psychological edge over the Senators? Headline from Ottawa Citizen says maybe so: "First, beat the Leafs. Second, win"

The Jeremy Roenick story -- Let Him Entertain You:

"I have always enjoyed the camera and I always enjoyed a microphone and there seems to be an abundance of those things here (in Los Angeles)."

Hey look, there's news on Nick Boynton. Oh, the news is that there's no news. Now the Bruins look like the Maple Leafs on defence -- rookies galore.

In Atlanta, there's a flash of optimism and high hopes for their first dance in the post-season. But can they possibly do it without Ilya Kovalchuk?

From the top 10 moments in Avalanche history:

What were the odds in 1995 that the most beloved player on the hallowed Montreal Canadiens in the previous 10 seasons would play that year in Denver a city that had been without an NHL team for 13 years?

Good read (as always from) Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom on Brenadan Shanahan's summer.

Martin Brodeur says the NHL should have made Sidney Crosby's debut the lone opening game. The Devils meet the Penguins tonight:

"It's a new era in the NHL and everyone wants to see what he can do. Everybody's calling for tickets, but [elsewhere] people want to watch their teams, too," Brodeur says. "It's not fair for the fans."

But the Crosby Show isn't the only rookie act we're watching. Don't forget about Alexander the Great.

Good read from Philly Inquirer on Peter Forsberg and what he brings to a team.

There's 15 games tonight. Enjoy.

Early matchup

An afternoon update from our man in the field: Mark Zwolinski has the Ottawa Senators lineup that will be skating circles around against the Maple Leafs tomorrow night at the Air Canada Centre:

Goalies: Dominik Hasek, Ray Emery (backup).

Defencemen: Brian Pothier, Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Chris Phillips, Anton Volchenkov, Andrej Meszaros, Christopher Schubert.

Forwards: Martin Havlat, Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley, Chris Neil, Vaclav Varada, Brian McGrattan, Brandon Bochenski, Peter Schaefer, Mike Fisher, Jason Spezza, Antoine Vermette, Brian Smolinski, Chris Kelly.

NOTES: The Sens lineup features five rookies (Emery, Meszaros, Kelly, Bochenski, and McGrattan) … forward Denis Hamel was placed on waivers Monday for the purpose of sending him Binghamton of the AHL. That opened room for D Christopher Schubert, who was on his way to the AHL, but would have had to clear waivers first. The Sens were very fearful of losing him on waivers. GM John Muckler actually went to ownership and asked for that the payroll be expanded to keep Schubert on board. Schubert had been told earlier in the day that he was AHL-bound, and wasn’t too happy about it. Muckler cleared the situation up later in the day, and Schubert is now the seventh defenceman.

Meanwhile, the latest from the Leafs camp is that rookies Staffan Kronwall and Carlo Colaiacovo have been recalled to the big club, just a day after being cut and sent to the Marlies.

It looks as though Aki Berg and Wade Belak are not fit to play tomorrow, and the two rookies, who are skating with the Leafs today, will be in the lineup against the Senators -- leaving the Leafs with three rookies on the blue line (Andy Wozniewski).

Predictions

(Eds note: Chris returns after spending the day before learning to spell "Wozniewski").

One last day and then we’re ready for the longest-coming opening night in NHL history. And how did the Leafs get ready? A little golf, a little fishing, some last-minute practicing – and welcome to the show, Andy Wozniewski.

Tis the season for predictions.

The gimme putt this round has to be Sid Crosby for Rookie of the Year. I’ll take Joe Thornton for the scoring title. Vancouver over Ottawa in an all-Canadian Cup final. As for the Leafs, with everyone seemingly so down on them, I’m figuring that if Ed Belfour’s back holds up – on a team of ifs, this is the one that means by far the most – they can scrape into eighth overall in the conference and win one playoff game, which should be good for an evening’s worth of horn-honking up Yonge.

In other words, the usual. (Watching Alex Steen, Matt Stajan and the rest of the kids develop should be far more intriguing than the will-they-or-won’t-they in the standings).

I’m anxious to see where readers line up. Give us your predictions on ROY, Cup final, first coach fired, when Don Cherry has his first rant on the new rules, and on and on. We’ll pick out the best ones and salute you tomorrow as we set up our first live text commentary during the Leafs opening game.

Now to the links, where yeah, old friend Stumpy Thomas hasn’t quite given up the conditioning routine just yet – though he’s not waiting by the phone, either. Pat Quinn is tinkering with the lines already, while over with the Marlies, Paul Maurice is telling the kids to buck up. And oh yes, the Leafs defence? It’s already questionable.

Stat of the times: Preseason scoring (6.2 average) was up by a goal compared to 2003, and those 17 power plays per game? Up by a whopping six from two years ago.

Meantime, HNIC is back (although if you were on JABS yesterday, you already know that). Go for it, Don – I’m calling an opening-night howitzer from the best coach in Colorado Rockies history.

Around the league:

Who't the greatest player in Red Wings history? Yzerman or Howe?

Sidney Crosby's nickname? Daaaaarrrylll!

"Not too many guys know about it now, but when I was in junior, my first exhibition game I got eight points, and (former Maple Leaf) Darryl Sittler got 10 in the NHL (in 1976), so they just said 'Darryl' and it kind of stuck the last couple of years," Crosby says.

Turnstile update: Positive sign in Nashville. Florida feeling good thanks to pancakes.

Alert: The New York Rangers will not win the Stanley Cup. But we still say Jaromir Jagr will have a big year.

Andy Roach could make the St. Louis Blues as a sixth defenceman. Why? Playing in Germany, he turned out to be a penalty shot expert, making about 50 percent. (Last year in the AHL, shooters made 31.4 percent.)

"The key is to move it wide," Roach tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "You need the goalie moving one way, so you need to get it out there, but the quicker you do it, the better. It's like a deke; you have to sell the move."

Are you paying attention, Mats?

Harlem Globetrotter hockey

Two days 'till new ice age. And while Chris gets ready to celebrate the end of the CBC lockout in his own way over in his JABS forum, we have to feel good about a promising weekend with a couple of wins over the Red Wings and the headline on Ken Campbell's story says it best: Leafs are gathering Steen.

The auditions are over, so we move on without our beloved Stumpy -- despite our best efforts (read: Stumpython)

We caught Steve Thomas on the radio this morning, saying the door could still be open in Toronto, if only a little. Thomas said has been told to stay in shape - a call could still come, despite his admission to having just an average training camp. Fans did their part to contribute to one of the best pre-season stories - Thomas singled out a moment last week when he skated to centre ice for his turn during a shootout against the Sabres. The crowd's reaction was electric.

But you have to feel good after watching Alex Steen and Matt Stajan work together scoring goals, killing (so many) penalties. And this from Jlo (?) in the comments section of this forum from the weekend:

"In a straight-up trade, blockbuster-style, would you take O'Neill, Lindros, Allison, Kavhanov and Czerkawski for Nolan, Roberts, Niewendyk, Mogilny and Leetch? The Leafs are younger and stronger. Get rid of Aki Berg, and we're in business."

So it all starts this week. I think we're actually excited. The penalty parade is one to worry about, but there are signs of the wide-open game we're all seeking.

"Now, you've got Harlem Globetrotter hockey," says Boston Bruin Tom Fitzgerald.

Like that idea. Helluva segue to the links:

If the goal is Globetrotter hockey, are the Detroit Pistons the red flags?

"The referees have been using a couple of key red flags," Predators Coach Barry Trotz says. "One is if your stick is parallel to the ice, that's a red flag because you're probably going to put it in someone's side and hook someone. Or if there's just one hand on your stick and you're in a battle for the puck, that's another red flag."

New rules and red flags were brought in to make this game fly, but could the real future of the NHL lie in Carolina? Maybe so. Let's just hope we're not counting on fans in Washington.

Harlem Globetrotter hockey. So who's Wilt Chamberlain? Maybe this guy.

"To be honest, when I was younger, I kind of set my goal and I went for it," says Jaromir Jagr. "I had it in my head -- if I'm going to help this team, I have to win the scoring title. That's what I always said when I was in Pittsburgh and that's the only way I can help this team. This is the thing I know the best."

Taking a step off the ice, today Steve Moore is in court to testify for his suit against Todd Bertuzzi and others. Good read from Denver Post columnist Terry Frei:

"How bizarre is this? At noon today the Avalanche introduces its remade roster, including Brad May. Minutes later, a few blocks away, former Avalanche winger Steve Moore will be testifying at a hearing in Denver District Court, hoping the judge will allow his lawsuit to proceed in Colorado. He is suing, among others, Brad May."

The Calgary Flames make their picks for best team in the league. (Sorry, no Leaf references here)

Finally Brett Hull, on the Great One behind the bench:

"I think everyone has underestimated how intimidated players are reacting to Wayne being there (behind the bench)," says Hull. "Their expectations of themselves have risen, and I think they're having trouble grasping that within themselves. They're nervous and they're playing tight. I think that's going to take some time to wear off."

Ovaltine 1, Leafs 0

Finally caught round one of that long-anticipated NHL ad campaign last night. What I really want to see now is the mashup version -- go to it, kids. In Dallas, Kevin Blackistone gleefully puts a pin into this limping donkey.

Here in Toronto, the Leafs have more pressing problems. While I was busy yesterday with one of my crackpot ideas over on JABS, I never had a chance to note Tyler Brown's cogent summary in yesterday's comments, and especially his note about the Leafs defence being vulnerable to net-busting wingers - Quinn's favourite defenceman are:

"Constantly get beaten to outside and look terrible ... and the kids are taking too many penalties".

During the Buffalo game the outside blow-by-to-the-tin happened three times in the first two periods - Khavanov, Marchment, and I'm not sure who the other offender was -- after which I tossed my notepad up in the air (too many penalties) and went up to call it a night with a last shot of Ovaltine.

Today the Leafs defence is a little lighter, with Marchment gone. Damien Cox has his take, and it seems fair to me - Marchment didn't play himself out of a job, but it makes no sense for him to stay at the expense of a younger player who has to prove he belongs (Carlo Colaiacovo, c'mon down).

Your favourite Steve Thomas, meantime, is still hanging on, but barely. As he tells Paul Hunter:

"I haven't done anything overwhelming. At the same time, I haven't done anything too bad."

Final cuts after tomorrow's game against the Wings.

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Thanks, Chris. We'll never accuse you of not being a crackpot. Nice to have your musings back in this fourum. Off to the links.

Alex Mogilny alone could be worth 5, 10 points in the standings this season. We'll be watching this new shootout rule closely in this space. Who will be the shootout MVP and how much will he be worth to his team?

Update on Ilya Kovalchuk has the Thrashers wondering how many regular season games he'll miss. Deadline appears to be Wednesday to get the unsigned scorer into an Atlanta uniform.

A friend and I were discussing when to draft Sergei Samsonov in our fantasy pool. Here's a reason to take him a little higher than you might have planned. Fantasy tip #2: Thomas Vanek.

From the Wayne Gretzky coaching clinic:

"I'm a big believer that we need each and every guy to pull together in order to be successful. By process of elimination, if everybody's not playing together, I have no problem in shortening the bench."

Burning questions

Season countdown at six days and questions....

The Stumpy Meter is dropping like the temperature (high of 14 today!). The Maple Leafs, with two pre-season games left, our only dates with Detroit (until the finals, eh?) and Pat Quinn has yet to ice a lineup with any sort of set line combinations.

Mark Zwolinski takes a nice look at the possibilities today, with an angle to the obvious. Zorro writes:

(Quinn) can't get a look at a proposed line (Jason) Allison, Darcy Tucker and Jeff O'Neill, because of Allison's health.

So today we'll keep it simple - break down the available jobs and candidates and put the question to you: Who makes the cut?

Job 1: One, possible two jobs open on the fourth line. In the mix: Kyle Wellwood, Steve Thomas, Clarke Wilm, Alex Steen.

Job 2: Sixth, seventh defenceman. Andy Wozniewski, Staffan Kronwall, Bryan Marchment, Carlo Colaiacovo, Wade Belak.

Job 3: Ed Belfour insurance: Mikael Tellqvist, JS Aubin.

Here's an argument for the vets. And judging by the reaction at the ACC on Tuesday night and in Chris Young's Stumpython from the other day, that's two more gold stars for Thomas. The Stumpy Meter is actually in a slight state of rising today, but shades of Robert Reichel isn't a good sign. Besides, the shifty Wellwood leads the team in pre-season scoring and has to be considered part of the Leafs bright future.

And if you just don't care, we offer a suggestion from Conin79 via yesterday's posting:

Question of the day for the man in charge is who do you think is going to do better? The Toronto Maple Leafs. . . or the Toronto Marlies?

Question of the day not for Quinn is predicting the Leafs fate. No comment from the boss.

"I haven't looked at all the other clubs yet," Quinn says. "I don't know how we compare. I've been concerned with our team."

Probably a good idea, don't you think Rob Babcock?

Quick with the links before we get ready for Chris's latest crackpot venture. He's celebrating the Sox-Yanks pennant race with a blast from the past - a live retelling their nightmare classic 1978 one-game playoff at Fenway. It's here.

Salary Cap lesson #346: How to get a great player for free. (The Jeff Friesen rule)

The Crosby Show comes to Canada.

Chris Ponger who?

Bruins goalie Andrew Raycroft on the new rules and changes go goalie equipment:

"It's more fun this way,'' Raycroft tells the Boston Herald. "It's more fun to know, even if you're down, 3-0, that you're still in the game. In the past, 99.99 percent of the time, if you're down 3-0, there's no chance of coming back. Really, if you were going to the third period down 2-1, you knew you weren't going to win."

Yesterday, we brought you Sean Avery's comments on the Jeremy Roenick-Gauthier hit and the whole French Canadians rant. Colorado's Ian Laperriere (former Kings teammate) responds (and well):

"If he's looking for a French guy to back things up, I'm the guy. I'm right here."

There's a new Daddy Warbucks in St. Louis.

Lastly (sniff, sniff) a quick gander at some of our favourite NHL legends perhaps making their curtain call.

Doom and gloom

Maybe it's the fact that the dreaded Turk is looming. Or perhaps it's that season away. But the temperature around the Leafs seems to be even higher than normal. Over at the TML message board, they're already advising the posters to cease and desist with the doom and gloom.

Hey, doom and gloomers, you can always come over here. Or here. Maybe it was just a hangover after the Timbits and pop fuelling yesterday's Stumpython, but that game last night didn't do it for me. How do you draw any conclusions when there's nothing but a non-stop march to the penalty box?

The Leafs are not in midseason form -- hell, they're not in any form at all as Damien Cox notes. But that guy working the penalty box door hat the ACC has already got more camera time than Angelina Jolie.

Well, anyway, Ken Campbell has the lowdown on the decisions that lie ahead. Zorro tells you about the game. And hey, the best read might be Paul Hunter on the Marlies opening (LINK) not at the Ricoh, but at "the home of the $2 Pogo." Pogo ... mmmmmm.

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Thanks, Chris. Always with the love for the doom and gloomers.

We're all feeling the effects from yesterday's Stumpython. In case you missed it, read it here. The lovefest was still in full swing last night at the ACC -- when Steve Thomas stepped on the ice for his turn during the shootout, the crowd went wild. A Stumpy goal would have sealed the deal (Tie Domi, the 16th shooter, took care of that) -- too bad we can't say anything good about the actual game.

12 minors, 4 power play goals allowed as the younger, faster Sabres diced up the disorganized Leafs. The no-flow theme was front and centre again. Let's just say the Sabres won't have to practice the power play any more this preseason.

"It's frustrating because it is no longer a man's game out there," said Thomas, who drew a hooking minor in the third. "If I can get a 220-pound guy to fall down just by putting my stick on him, it shouldn't happen."

More pressing is the state of the Leaf roster. While other clubs are working with the core they know they want to start the season with (in 7 days), there are still a lot of bodies in Toronto. Pat Quinn:

"Part of our decision here (at training camp) was to get a lot of guys a look. We have what, 16 forwards and 10 defencemen left in camp, we're still not working with a team ... and with the injuries, heck, there's been no work with our lines. It's not an excuse, but we have to get to work."

Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella's take:

"Too many people, to me it's not healthy. You need to look at the kids, but our No. 1 goal here as a coaching staff is to get the team ready to play, especially being gone as long as we have been gone."

I'm actually buying the injuries excuse and not feeling too good at all about Jason Allison and Eric Lindros. Feel free to rant in the comments section below.

On to the links:

Yesterday we agreed to move on on this Jeremy Roenick-Denis Gauthier issue. Blabbermouth Sean Avery had other thoughts yesterday.

"I think it was typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on, running around and playing tough and not back anything up. ... I'd think if a guy like Brett Hull was coming up the middle, somebody probably wouldn't have stepped up and hit him, but like I said, a typical move from a guy wearing a visor that certainly doesn't like to get scratched at all."

Of course, JR won't be upstaged.

"I've seen that Canadians are saying that I'm complaining and whining because I got hit hard," he said. "But I have gotten hit hard many, many, many times, probably more so than they have ever been hit. They just love to complain about me because I'm an American who gets more press than their Canadian players."

"They can whine about me all they want. The fact of the matter is the need for respect for everybody, not just me. I'm sure if Joe Sakic got hit the way I got hit and said the same thing I did, Canadians wouldn't be sitting there saying Joe was complaining."

Maybe it sounds like the concussions talking. And JR's had a few. But his point on respect isn't lost here. Good read today in the Province on the whole shots to the head issue.

Nice piece from the Sun's Bill Lankhof on the Snyder family, who lost their son, Atlanta Thrasher Dan, in a car crash two years ago tomorrow.

It was Sidney Crosby's home debut in Pittsburgh last night. Mario stole the show.

Nick Boynton and the Boston Bruins are no closer to an agreement.

We'll end with predictions, and a reminder of the dreaded SI curse (sorry Calgary).

The debate

TORONTO STAR GRAPHIC

We gave Chris the morning off today, he's busy getting ready for his Stumpython. Looking forward to hearing the Steve Thomas stories, the memories, why you think he should or shouldn't make the team. Warm up your lunch and check it out starting at noon today here.

While we're on the topic, freshen up with Mark Zwolinski's update on the camp competition. Thomas or Wellwood? Experience or youth? The Stumpy Meter is at its lowest point to date, so it's not looking good for our man Stevie.

Just a quick links post this morning, I'm taking some time to write up my fave Stumpy memory.

Speaking of debates. Who's your pick for best player of all-time?

How could we miss that great quote from Jeremy Roenick yesterday? Saw the hit by Denis Gauthier Sunday night, hey J.R.: it's NHL hockey - it's supposed to be physical.

"I think it indicates the state of our game, the lack of respect, especially in the preseason," Roenick said. "It is uncalled for, it is ridiculous, it is one of the reasons our game isn't as good as it once was."

Roenick is still angry about the shot, perhaps more upset about his having to sit out the rest of the pre-season. Kings coach says let's move on and we agree.

Here's the latest in our ongoing efforts to find something wrong with the Ottawa Senators. (Unfortunately you have to read past a lot of positives to get there.)

Damien Cox calls on the Thrashers to get Ilya Kovalchuk back into the NHL ranks, and so do I -- before my fantasy draft, please.

That's it. We're officially including Vancouver in the battle of Alberta.

Where is Keith Tkachuk?

Jeff Friesen - the first casualty of the cap. Dealt to Washington as the Devils answer the $39-million question.

"It stinks," Friesen says.

If you haven't been following Rick Westhead's excellent work for on the NHLPA, be sure to check out his story today. We try to keep this forum on the ice, but it's hard to ignore the growing conflict within the players' union.

Sabres-Leafs tonight. Finally, a break from the Senators. See you in the Stumpython.

Camp update

An early afternoon update from the rink (thanks again Zoro), with three cuts today.

Shipped to Marlies camp are Ben Ondrus, David Teran and Ian White, which leaves 35 Maple Leafs heading into tomorrow's game against the Sabres.

Line combinations at today's practice goes:

Mats Sundin between Alex Ponikarovski and Mariusz Czerkawski

Jason Allison between Jeff O'Neil and Darcy Tucker

Matt Stajan between Nik Antropov and Alex Steen

Kyle Wellwood between Tie Domi and Chad Kilger

Clarke Wilm between Nathan Perrott and Steve Thomas

On defence: Khavanov, Berg, Belak, Kaberle, Kronwall, McCabe, Colaiacovo, Marchment and Wozniewski.

Not skating today are Eric Lindros (pulled muscle - should add quite a rough training camp and no points in the pre-season as well), JS Aubin (groin) and Ken Klee (still with the bruised heel). Five others in camp who are not on the ice today (prolly packing their bags): Brad Leeb, Marc Moro, Brad Brown, Jay Harrison and John Pohl.

Yup, that's our beloved Stumpy skating on not the fourth, but fifth line today. Not that we think he needs more good karma, but just 'cause it'll be crazy fun - check out Chris Young's JABS tomorrow for the Stumpython.

D'oh!-chenski

Relax. It's only preseason.

Never mind that, in two meaningless games, the Senators outscored the Leafs 12-6.

Ignore the memory of Wade Belak Carlo Colaiacovo lining up Dany Heatley and connecting with nothing but the boards, or Mikael Tellqvist down on his knees, fishing another one out of the net, or Kyle Wellwood, the kid who figures he has no chance of making the squad, scoring another goal. Heatley, Jason Spezza, Bochenski -- flashes in the pan, a line of Mr. Septembers.

Consider instead, the words of hockey sage Ken Campbell:

"With 10 days to go until the season opener and with the Leafs facing the Senators in two of their first three games, the Leafs are sliding into on-ice disarray."

Look on the bright side of it, says Pat Quinn:

"We have a lot of work to do to look anything like a team. We don't right now."

Feeling better? Me too. I love it when we can have these talks. Take it away, Spencer.

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Yikes. Should we start with the good news, then? We tried to find something bad to say about the Senators this morning -- pretty tough right now thanks to all those 'meaningless' games. They probably don't miss him, but St. Louis is thinking Ottawa's loss is their gain. (thanks St. Louis Post-Dispatch for the nice memories):

The second period began and Patrick Lalime found himself on the Ottawa bench. Three goals on 11 shots in Game 7 of a first-round playoff series against Toronto had ended Lalime's night, and, as most knew at the time, his days with the Senators.

But we don't want to live in the past. Take a deep breath Leaf Nation, you're not the only fans north of the border with big sweat stains under their arms this morning. But just 'cause we're in panic mode, what would you have to say if the Leafs held a town hall meeting?

Around the league: Joe Nieuwendyk is skating on the Panthers top line.

The Great One shares his coaching philosophy.

"We've got to become a hard team to play against. None of this easy team to play against, 40 shots a game. That's just not going to work. And that's the reputation this team has, and that's what we're going to eliminate."

Calgary Flames, 2004-05 Stanley Cup champions.

Brian Leetch isn't looking forward to his return to Madison Square Garden. Could it have something to do with the way he left New York?

"They called me up and said, 'You're traded,' '' Leetch tells the Boston Herald. "That was it. There was no talk one way or the other."

Alex Mogilny's musings will be missed in these parts. Today, his simple take on the smaller equipment for puckstoppers:

"I don't think you're going to see a lot more goals because of (goalies') smaller pads. The pads are lighter, so the goalies are quicker."

Dan Blackburn, we were really cheering for him, has retired.

Junior report: Robbie Schremp, Dion Phaneuf.

Finally, from the Todd Bertuzzi department, Derian Hatcher's 2004 suspension will carry over into this season.