A Different Perspective

Those of you inclined to read this blog on a regular or semi-regular basis will notice that it will be coming to you from the greensward of Wimbledon - SW19, as the locals call it rather casually - for the next week or so.

That doesn't mean it'll be about tennis, necessarily. One just can't check out of the NHL action, for example, with free agency about to get rolling.

But one of the great benefits of this annual trip overseas is that it gives a sportswriter a chance to get a different perspective on things. You can bet the odious Pac-man Jones won't be front page news, for example, and neither will the Maple Leafs or the machinations of John Ferguson.

Ditto for the Nashville Predators and their on-again, off-again sale to Waterloo businessman Jim Balsillie, a story I won't miss at all.

While a terrific story on the surface, and possibly the biggest hockey story of the year if Canada were to gain a seventh NHL franchise, there's not been a tale to come down the pike in a while that is more smoke and mirrors than this one.

Nobody speaks their mind, and generally speaking, nobody speaks. Well, nobody other than William (Boots) Del Biaggio, who has been held up as the new bidder for the Preds despite having been quoted publicly on various occasions recently as saying he's not interested in buying the Nashville team.

Gary Bettman sure isn't saying what he means, and Jim Balsillie isn't saying a blessed word.

Meanwhile, everybody is talking off the record, which pretty much allows all sides to say whatever they want and not have to be accountable for it.

You'll read over and over that Balsillie's bid got into trouble because he wasn't following the rules, that's purely NHL spin. The truth is that Balsillie could have tried to buy Nashville and force a move later, but instead he has insisted on getting clearance to move up front.

How's that breaking the rules?

People suggest Balsillie ticked off the NHL by getting ticket sales rolling in Hamilton. Well, how is that different from Del Biaggio signing a contract to put a team into Kansas City, and making it clear that's his intention with the Preds?

Why is Del Biaggio okay but Balsillie's a renegade?

One theory is that Del Biaggio isn't serious, but that Preds owner Craig Leipold is just using the spectre of a competing bid to get Balsillie to surrender the notion of getting clearance to move the Nashville franchise wherever he wants at the same time he purchases the team.

Then again, that's just another guess.

Over in jolly old England, one can be sure there will be more interest in Tatiana Golovin's red undies, the weather forecast for the next 10 days and Gordon Brown's new administration than there will be over the future of the Predators.

Sounds good to me.

Mail bag

Damien Cox answers your Maple Leafs questions in his mail bag. Click here to submit a question.

Q: After the big Leaf trade to acquire Toskala and Bell, you mentioned that Bell has "lifestyle issues". What does this mean exactly? I know he has the DUI issue looming, and this is a serious matter - but if this qualifies as a "lifestyle issue", then many of the players in the league could be said to have similar issues (although they don't all necessarily wind up in court). Is there a larger red flag here? Please clarify if you can.

Chris K., Lafayette, Indiana

A: Fair question. What’s clear is that Bell has been dogged by unusual incidents involving alcohol and the police from junior hockey right into his NHL career. That doesn’t necessarily make him a bad person, but at the same time, he’s a young player who hasn’t measured up to his promise, and so you have to wonder how his off-ice behavior and discipline may have negatively influenced his career so far. That said, Toronto offers him an opportunity to put all that stuff to bed if he’s able to keep his nose clean and deliver on his potential.

Q: Hey Damien! Just reading one of your responses to another reader, and just have to ask you and all the others out there who seem to think that all MLSE seems to care about is money and not winning. Your words - "Enormous profits shelter them from the urgency to win." How can you say that? They spend to the cap limit, and before the cap, were always one of the top 5 spenders. And just ask yourself - 'how much more money are the Sens making right now with this long playoff run?'

Enough already with the Leafs only care about money. If that were so, they would want to win every year, cause the longer the playoffs, the more money in their pockets. So please, somebody, explain to me the logic behind losing equaling making more money? This argument seems absurd.

Ron Gillespie, Listowel, Ontario

A: I think its pretty simple. If a team never has to worry about putting people in seats or must provide quality to ensure sales stay high, human nature suggests there’s less urgency to do what it takes to win. That said, the Leafs could be different, but instead recent years have seen them concentrate as much or more on developing the Raptors, landing a soccer franchise, selling condominiums and managing local areas as on trying to mold a Stanley Cup winner. If the seats were half empty at Leafs games, they’d have to try harder. Payroll spending is just one indicator, and more damning, really, has been the unwillingness of the franchise to step into the market and hire the very best management, coaching and scouting personnel available.

Q: Has Jim Balsillie expressed any interest in buying the Toronto Maple Leafs? Talk about a match made in Heaven. He would not have to pay anyone rights to place a franchise in Southern Ontario. Once he makes a deal with the Ontario Teachers, Bettman could do little to stop it. The Ontario Teachers have little reason to keep the team if he offers an attractive price. The team desperately needs ownership that wants to and knows how to win. Making the Leafs a winner will only enhance its value. As owner of the Leafs (especially one with some moxie), he could shake up Gary Bettman and the NHL in a way no other owner could.

Why is he waiting?

John Hunt, Harvard, Massachusetts (Despondent Leaf fan (and even more so after Friday's trade) and proud Blackberry customer)

A: As far as anyone knows, the Leafs aren’t for sale. Moreover, Basillie seems to have a particular interest in the rest of the Golden Horseshoe particularly Hamilton, where his wife, Heidi, grew up.

Q: Was the multi million contract of the injury prone Colaiacovo tied into games dressed/played or was it unrelated to prior knowledge and sound business practice?

Rob Black, Santa Rosa, CA

A: Colaiacovo’s new contract does not contain special clauses for games-played.

Q: Damien,

We keep hearing about this year's free agent crop and the Leafs having to be major players in that market. Isn't next year's unrestricted free agent list of much more talent than this years and if so, should the Leafs go after more middle of the pact free agent to get themselves ready for the better group next year? (Joe Thornton for one.)

I know the Leafs badly need to make the playoffs but it smells of another misread of the market and talent.

Bob Dumond, Gore Bay, Ont.

A: Fact is, its hard to guess a year ahead exactly what will be available on the free agent market. Teams often sign their best players beforehand – J.S. Giguere would be a good example this June – while players heading into free agency are often traded at the previous trade deadline, and sometimes signed by those teams. You can guess than Thornton might be available by next summer, but he might well not be.

Q: What about Jeff O'Neill? A goal scorer that never had the right line mates and never really got a chance in Leaf Nation.

Tom Campbell, Toronto

A: I disagree. O’Neill had lots of chances, and while he made some solid contributions last season when the team was hampered by injuries, in the end he simply couldn’t supply the necessary offence to justify a lineup spot.

Q: Damien!

I am a huge fan of the Leafs, even more with Paul Maurice coaching the blue and white.

I am also a huge fan of the OHL, and the Soo Greyhounds. I am wondering what are the chances that Jiri Tlusty returns to the Hounds next year, he was rolling in the playoffs last year and he fit in very well with the team.

Joel Fresque, Sault Ste Marie, Ont.

A: Great question, and one that will be answered in training camp next fall. The Leafs could have put Tlusty in either the AHL or OHL this season, and decided the OHL was the better fit. His season included injury problems, but by the end he was arguably the Greyhounds best player. He’ll get a chance to convince the Leafs he should be a pro next season, but a second season in the Soo under the excellent coaching of Craig Hartsburg is certainly a viable option. The Leafs haven’t decided what they’ll do, and probably won’t until late in training camp in September.

Q: Damien,

I'm hoping you can help me understand the Flyers trade for Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen in return for a 1st round draft pick. On the surface, Paul Holmgren sacrifices a pick for exclusive negotiating rights until July 1st. But doesn't something smell here?

The news reports noted that both players were already close to being signed to six year deals. So we're to believe that in the presumably small amount of time between the trade being approved by the league and then announced, the agent(s) for both players hammered out 6-year deals with Holmgren? And why wouldn't both players wait until July 1st before doing anything? If the Flyers ended up being the right fit for both, great. But why not wait a few weeks and see their options? And none of this takes into consideration that the pick that went back to Nashville was the one they sent to Philadelphia for Forsberg in the first place. That smells too.

It seems clear the agent(s) for both players had either a "handshake" agreement from Holmgren regarding contracts or at least a better than normal understanding of their market value come July 1st if they're apparently ready to sign before July 1st. And if it's the latter, apparently Holmgren had a pretty good idea of their value too and was ready to be the top bidder.

So my main question is: if it was a "handshake" agreement, is this not "tampering" with free agents prior to becoming unrestricted? Or if it's the latter situation, and Holmgren knew the markets for both players and was ready to top it, tell me why he would give up a first rounder for exclusivity he didn't need? Not to play conspriracy theorist, but if I'm Gary Bettman, I want to see the Flyers regain their top tier status ASAP and this trade helps that goal.

Dan Salmon, New York via Huntsville, Ont.

A: I don’t disagree with what you’re saying entirely, but at the same time, the Flyers merely acted aggressively under existing rules. It sure seems likely the agents talked to Philly beforehand, but on the other hand, the length of time required to complete such a deal isn’t nearly as long as you think. Moreover, Philly was clearly willing to pay above market value in both money and term, and the risk Timmonen and Hartnell would have taken was that in a league ruled by the salary cap, they’d not necessarily be able to command the same prices after July 1st after other players had been signed. Holmgren gave up the first rounder, meanwhile, simply to get first dibs. If he hadn’t been able to reach agreements with the two players, he would have received the first rounder back.

I don’t think it’s a great way for the NHL to do business, but I give Holmgren full marks for using the system effectively.

Q: Hey Damien,

I'm sure you'll be innundated with questions along these lines, but here goes anyway: Seriously? Toskala and Bell? Come on! After seeing who was still available at 13th overall AND seeing what FLA gave up to get (in my opinion) a much better goalie in Vokoun... What was Ferguson thinking? Why does he even still have a job?

Daniel D.,Thornhill

A: Well, what I think JFJ was thinking was that he wouldn’t have a job much longer if he didn’t trade futures for help now. MLSE has made him think this way by declining to give him an extension (so far) and dangling in public the notion of hiring other seasoned hockey executives to stand watch over him.

Q: First off, I agree that JFJ seems to be chasing his tail with this goaltending mess. I can see him dealing Raycroft for a 4th rounder, who couldn't carry Tuuka Rask's cup. And is there any money left to pursue a top-tier UFA forward?

So maybe there are legs to the McCabe-to-the-Islanders rumor? How about McCabe for Satan? Satan is about $1.5m cheaper in cap space, and has a contract that expires after this year, when we will need to give raises to Wellwood, Stajan and Steen. And maybe with some of the found money, UFA Scott Hannan could fill McCabe's spot--given the current market, he could be had for between $4-5m.

David Wise, Queens, NY

A: I think the main point is that many Leaf fans would like to see a little ingenuity out of the Leaf management team this summer, something beyond just throwing money at free agents. I have long suggested traded McCabe is a good option, and that he is anything but untradeable despite the no-trade features of his contract. We’ll start seeing what JFJ has in mind starting Sunday.

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Every Thursday, Damien Cox answers your questions in The Spin, only at thestar.com.

Click here to submit a question.

Let the Man Do His Job - Or Fire Him

So you're a primo NHL unrestricted free agent, and the Maple Leafs are on the phone offering you money.

Presumably, you're talking to GM John Ferguson, but given the way the Leafs work, you're actually talking to the entire MLSE board of directors, which includes president Richard Peddie plus a couple of guys who want Ferguson fired ASAP.

Plus, if you can read and listen, there's all kinds of rumours that the club is planning to bring in "senior" hockey consultant to work over/alongside Ferguson. By "senior," the idea is somebody that has actually won something. Ever. Something the Leafs, other than Doug Gilmour in his vague job portfolio, don't have.

Which is why the names of Scotty Bowman, John Muckler and Craig Patrick - Stanley Cup winners all - keep popping up as candidates.

So if you're that free agent and you're considering those dollars, who, exactly are you agreeing to work for?

Ferguson? Peddie? Larry Tanenbaum? Bowman? Muckler? Patrick? Paul Maurice? Carlton the Bear?

At that point, don't you just move on to the next team that's interested?

The top-heavy Leafs seem to believe the answer to their problems is adding yet another layer of bureaucracy, something similar to the role in which Wayne Embry fills with the Raptors.

But understand this; Embry was important, really, during the period of time after Rob Babcock was fired and before Bryan Colangelo came to town. He moved the unmoveable Jalen Rose contract and did a couple of other helpful things before Colangelo took over.

If the Leafs really believe they need a "senior" person, then they should simply can Ferguson and let the "senior" person take over, clean house and start fresh.

More important, whether the person in charge is JFJ or one of these aforementioned people, once again its worth mentioning that person has to be given full rein and should not have to answer to Peddie and the board everytime its necessary to order new staples.

Keeping the current setup is why Colin Campbell and other respected hockey people weren't interested in the job when JFJ got it. Lou Lamoriello and Brian Burke would never, ever work in a situation in which they had to run everything past a board of directors.

These Leafs need fewer layers, not more.

Two Unlikely to Work

Any way you cut it, Andrew Raycroft has been demoted.

After playing 72 games last year, and receiving extensive praise from the organization for his work, Raycroft's now been told he can expect to play far fewer games and possibly even cede the No. 1 goaltending position to newcomer Vesa Toskala.

Don't expect him to like it.

Toskala, meanwhile, was hoping to get out of San Jose for the express purpose of removing himself from the awkward shared goalie system with Evgeny Nabokov.

Now he's been moved, but he's still sharing.

So don't expect him to like it either.

So this newest era in Leaf goaltending essentially starts with two somewhat unhappy goaltenders. The last time they tried this in Toronto, Alan Bester and Ken Wreggett ended up hating each other.

Now, you might say, haven't both the Stanley Cup winners from the last two years, Carolina and Anaheim, both operated with significant contributions from two-goalie systems? In fact, both the Canes and Ducks began their respective Cup drives with goalies, Martin Gerber and Ilya Bryzgalov, that were different than the masked men, Cam Ward and J.S. Giguere, who actually lifted the Cup in the end.

All true. Meanwhile, the Jennings Trophy this season was captured by the Minnesota combination of Manny Fernandez and Nicklas Backstrom, which both carrying a significant load.

But what worked in Carolina, Anaheim and Minny, you have to understand, won't necessarily work in Toronto.

The difference in Toronto - and this is where the sheer volume of Leaf coverage does have an impact - is that it will become a major story, maybe the story every night, as to which goaltender is starting. And how the other guy feels about it. And why Paul Maurice is picking this one over that one. And then we'll have a panel discussion. And maybe a fan poll.

Also, the Toskala-Raycroft duo is different than those in Carolina and Anaheim. In Carolina, Ward was the understudy to Gerber and then took over in the post-season, after which Gerber left town.

In Anaheim, the pecking order was clearly Giguere at No. 1, with Bryzgalov No. 2, and the only reason Bryzgalov started the playoffs was because Giguere had personal issues to attend to involving the birth of his infant son.

In Minnesota, finally, Fernandez and Backstrom enjoyed success, but then Fernandez wanted out when it was all over.

Maybe that's the Leaf plan. Let Toskala and Raycroft compete for a year, and then move one or the other out the following season to make room for Justin Pogge.

But you can bet that even if that's the case, it will be one trying year for goalies next season in Toronto.

Friday Incompletions

It's going to be interesting to see if moving to a Friday night, prime time format will change the dynamics of NHL draft weekend. In theory, tonight could provide lots of room for discussion among the teams after the first round selections have been made. Once you know what you have, you might be more inclined to go after what you need. . .The evaluations of Brandon Sutter, the next generation of the great Sutter clan of Viking, Alta., seem to vary wildly. You just have to believe somebody will take a shot at him earlier as opposed to later. TSN's Bob McKenzie has him going as high as ninth, and when it comes to the draft believe in Bob. . .Rooting a little bit in this corner on draft day for Akim Aliu. A former Toronto Marlie, this kid had to endure the entire nation cheering on Steve Downie with the Team Canada juniors after the two teenagers clashed in an infamous hazing incident with the Windsor Spitfires. Downie ended up a hero, Aliu forgotten. Until today, quite possibly. . .Here's hoping TSN gets the teams moving quickly tonight rather than, as usual, boring everybody in the arena and at home with long speeches before making their first pick. Move this thing along smartly and it could make good Friday night TV. . .Not impressed with Miguel Tejada of the Orioles keeping his games played streak alive at 1,153 games by appearing briefly to bunt in the first inning against San Diego Thursday night because of an apparent wrist fracture. Hardly the spirit of Cal Ripken. . .Given that David is such a common first name in North America, it seems peculiar there has never been a U.S. president or Canadian prime minister named David. Or maybe I just need a vacation. . .If not for Jason Giambi's brief burps of honesty, would he be the only major leaguer talking to George Mitchell? All those in hiding get rewarded for their silence. . .Seems like the Argos just can't quite get themselves to let go of Damon Allen. Or they're trying to convince themselves to let go. . .Still think Brendan Shanahan would have been a nice fit for the Maple Leafs last summer. Or even this summer. .Okay, two days ago I was thinking Scott Gomez. Today I'm thinking Ryan Smyth. . .After watching Wade Redden struggle through the final stages of the post-season, if he wasn't seriously hurt there's no way he's worth $6.5 million per season. Edmonton should tread very, very carefully here. . .Based on what seems available, there is no significant upgrade out there in goal for the Leafs. People like Evgeny Nabokov offer more questions than answers. . .Upon further review, The Electric Horseman wasn't that bad of a movie after all. And Jane Fonda was adorable. . .Once again, it's been confirmed you don't have to be a special golfer to win a major any more. Been that way for a while now . . .Gotta love Patrick Kane spurning all advances of agents. Given that the numbers for entry level players are pretty much all written down in the CBA, what does he need one for? Martin Brodeur seems to have done all right on his own. . .Things come to mean different things over time. When Paul Newman talks in the movie Slapshot about getting back to playing "old time hockey," he means dispensing with the goon tactics and playing the game hard, cleanly and fast. Today, that phrase has been twisted around to mean letting the enforcers run wild. . .Mighty Wimbledon has a centre court roof on the way, equal pay for men and women this year and has adopted the instant replay system. Welcome to the new millenium. . .What, pray tell, has Jeremy Jacobs accomplished in hockey that would warrant having him named chairman of the NHL board of governors? Just wondering. . .I could be wrong, but I sure don't remember Gary Bettman throwing up so many roadblocks when Winnipeg was en route to Phoenix and Quebec City was headed to Denver. It was more like paving the way for a nice smooth trip.

Thursday Mail Bag

Tomorrow night in Columbus, the Maple Leafs will acquire a player who will, possibly, join their roster by the 2009-2010 season.

In 10-12 days, however, Leaf fans are sure hoping the club will announce the acquisition of a significant player – or maybe two – that will have a defining impact on the team starting in October.

There’s no question this is John Ferguson’s biggest off-season as GM, one in which he doesn’t have to sign a bagful of unrestricted free agents on July 1st, but one in which he must, through his decisions and player moves, articulate a bold vision for this team beyond waiting for Jiri Tlusty and Justin Pogge to develop.

STEVE RUSSELL/TORONTO STAR

Curtis Joseph was a star during his years with the Leafs, from 1998-2002.

Two significant hurdles exist.

The increase in the salary cap means more teams will be players than if the cap had remained at $44 million. Moreover, with commish Gary Bettman unable to yet determine what the cap will be other than between $48 million and “50ish”, the Leafs, like all teams, are going into the free agent season a little blind. It’s not Bettman’s fault, its just that the union, which has to agree to a cap figure, is in such disarry the league isn’t even sure who’s making the decisions in the wake of the Ted Saskin dismissal.

The second obstacle for Ferguson is that he will be making offers to free agents while the agents of those players, if not the players themselves, are well aware that members of the Leaf board – Larry Tanenbaum, Dale Lastman – are out courting experienced hockey people to work with or oversee Ferguson.

Sports poll
Should the Maple Leafs sign Curtis Joseph? Yes, he'll push Andrew Raycroft to play better No, too much of a distraction Results | Past Polls

So the Leafs have managed to make their hockey department look a little uncertain to outsiders at an important part of the year. And they say this is a team that doesn’t want to win.

On to this week's mail bag (click here to submit a question), with apologies to one and all for taking last week off:

Q: Hi Damien,

I'm not sure if this topic had been discussed before or not, but watching the Ducks captain raise the mug yet again this year just kills me. I love Scottie (Niedermayer) as a great player, but I can't help but kept recalling the below news headline back in 1989 and wonder 'what if...':

"The Toronto Maple Leafs traded their first-round pick in the 1991 draft to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Tom Kurvers."

Thomas Ho, Hong Kong via Toronto

A: Poor Tom Kurvers. His name always gets dragged through the mud when this story pops up even though it wasn’t his fault that GM Floyd Smith made that godawful trade. But while you can argue it might have altered Leaf history, you could also argue that if Smith hadn’t made the move and the Leafs had acquired Niedermayer, the Smith regime would have stayed on, Cliff Fletcher would never have joined the Leafs and the club’s history would have been altered in another way. Moreover, knowing the Leafs scouting department at the time, they just as easily might have taken Scott Lachance, Aaron Ward or Richard Matvichuk with the pick, three blueliners taken immediately after Niedermayer in the ’91 draft.

A good debate is whether the Leafs cost themselves more by the Kurvers/Niedermayer error or by Fletcher’s 1997 decision to trade his first round pick to the Islanders in the Wendel Clark swap, a deal that gave the Isles the fourth pick and, ultimately, the ability to draft goalie Roberto Luongo. Niedermayer and Luongo, its fair to say, would have been the two best draft picks in the history of the Leafs – if they’d kept the picks and selected those players.

Q: I just don't get it. Everyone is hailing this deal with Mats Sundin as good for everyone involved. Mats is showing his loyalty and the leafs have an extra $800K.

Mats Sundin has made about $70 Million over his career. I love the guy as a player, he wears his heart on his sleeve, but if he was so loyal why wouldn't he take a new contract at $4.6 Million or even less so the Leafs could have more money for more top end free agents? Don't give me the garbage about the union had influence; it's running around with its head cut off. Business is business sure but is winning the Stanley Cup really that important to you is an extra 1.4% of you career earnings more important?

Victor Tanti, Ottawa

A: What surprised me, Victor, is how many rose to Sundin’s defence when I suggested that Sundin take less to give the team more cap space. Many wondered why Sundin should voluntarily accept a smaller salary than Bryan McCabe, and others suggested Sundin shouldn’t have to pay for the errors of Leaf management. To me, there was a big chance here for Sundin to make a big statement about his own intentions as a professional hockey player, and instead he made a small one.

Easy for me to say, of course. They’re not my millions.

Q: Hi Damien,

With Sundin signing on for only one-year vs. a longer term deal, could this possibly have an effect on his status with the team? I don't want to use the term 'lame-duck' since its not really applicable in this case, but I mean in a sense that if it's in the back of everyone’s mind (team, management, fans) that this next season could be his last it may force the Leafs to look beyond Sundin for longer term leadership and star power. It may be a bit of stretch, but could another player even land the position of first line centre? Thanks!

John Meddick, Oakville

A: John, I think in an ideal world another player would take over as the No. 1 centre, with Sundin shifting to No. 2. But the Leafs don’t own such a talented player. I don’t think his contractual status matters at all unless the Leafs are out of playoff contention by next winter’s trade deadline. In such a scenario, they would all but have to trade him to a contender.

Q: I know that a lot of people including myself are not very happy with the signing of Antropov for 2 mil/yr for 2 years but what does 2 mil/yr get you these days?

What is the calibre of such players? Are there unrestricted free agents out there that would have been a better fit at that price?

J. Sivakumaran, Hamilton, Ont.

A: Perhaps there are. But $2 million will be about the NHL average salary this season, and so, the Leafs are getting an average NHL player for those dollars, albeit one that often plays on their top line. Antropov’s not a great player, but he’s a decent bargain for the money.

Q: Hey Damien,

As a Leafs fan I'm constantly in a state of "looking ahead to next year." As I do that this time, what do you think are reasonable expectations of the Leafs younger guys: Steen, Stajan, Wellwood, White, Carlo, Kronwall, Woz, Harrison, Tlusty and even Pony and Antropov?

Wait. Antropov's Almost 30 isn't he? Why does he get so much patience from Leafs brass (and a 2 million/yr contract) when he's never even had a 20 goal campaign?

Jake Redding, St. John's

A: Out of the group you mentioned, Carlo Colaiacovo and Jiri Tlusty are the only ones likely to develop into anything close to elite NHLers, and in Tlusty’s case, that’s purely a projection at this point.

Most of the rest have proved they can play in the NHL – now they have to demonstrate they can make a difference.

Q: I know I'm not the first person to ask this question, cynical as it is, but what kind of message do you think the league is sending when they would not authorize Balsillie to purchase the Penguins and relocate them out of the States, but however agree to a non-binding deal with the same person to purchase the Predators?

It seems utterly transparent to me that the league has obviously stepped in to ensure Sidney Crosby stays in America. What does this say to you about the state of the game in the States, and furthermore the logic behind the league considering expansion? Also, had Sid the Kid not been involved with the Penguins franchise, do you think the league would have acted differently?

Earl M,. Toronto

A: I think the presence of Crosby in Pittsburgh did make a difference. Even the Balsillie group, looking back, acknowledges that Pittsburgh was a very different situation than Nashville. The Pens had been around since 1967, had won Stanley Cups and had shown they could attract fans but had been saddled with iffy ownership and a bad arena. To me, it’s a market the NHL should want to be in because the game is actually played there. Whether local politicians did the right thing by getting in bed with gambling interests to build a new arena and keep the Pens is something local taxpayers will have to live with, but Crosby was definitely an asset the NHL did not want to see fleeing to a different market.

Q: Would the leafs be interested in bringing back Cujo? Sign him as a backup and pair him and Raycroft off at training camp and see who is better to start. Cujo would love to come back here and a goaltender to push Raycroft to be much better than he has shown. Write this in a column of yours and see if the rest of Leafs Nation would love to see this happen.

Tara Krusts, Scarborough

A: I have written about this, and so far, I don’t detect a huge groundswell of support behind the Joseph option. The Leafs hockey office has certainly talked about Joseph as a possible addition, but their concern is that Cujo’s enormous popularity would make it a goaltending competition Raycroft couldn’t possibly win even if he was the better netminder. At this point, Joseph doesn’t appear to be the club’s top choice, but that could change quickly.

Q: Hi Damien,

I sucessfully predicted the outcome of the Anahiem/Ottawa series by applying an observation that every team that wins the Stanley Cup has a Canadian as a captain. The only exception to this theory that I can think of is when Dallas won the cup with Mike Modano as its captain. Any thoughts as to why this is so?

Jake Formsma, Bridgenorth, Ont.

A: First, of all, when Dallas won the Cup, Derian Hatcher was the team’s captain. Like Modano, Hatcher is American-born. As to why mostly Canadian-born captains win the Cup, it’s worth noting that non-Canadians only began becoming captains in significant numbers over the last decade, so the file is pretty thin still. Would the Sens have beaten the Ducks if Chris Phillips rather than Daniel Alfredsson was the captain? Unlikely. I guess the overall question would be similar to asking why only one Canadian captain has won an Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since 1952.

In sum, I don’t think it has a thing to do with citizenship or place of origin.

Q: Mr. Cox,

With the present NHL/NHLPA agreement, do the players gain from expansion aside from the addition of new jobs? Are expansion fees/profits linked to the agreement with the PA and would the salary cap be affected? What would an expansion draft look like now that teams are based so rigidly on budgeting of talent and also expense?

Alexei Gorbochev, Yakusk, Ukraine

A: Fabulous. Our first mail bagger from Ukraine. Welcome.

Re expansion, expansion fees are not shared with the players under the current NHL-NHLPA agreement, which, aside from greed, is why expansion is so attractive to the league’s 30 owners. Since that’s the case, the salary cap would not be affected by expansion.

I don’t think the existence of the cap would profoundly change how an expansion draft was conducted, although you can bet a lot of high-salaried players with negative cap implications would be made available to the new teams.

Q: NHL expansion in the US?

How about this as a measure of hockey's allure in the U.S. Seattle has two major junior hockey teams (Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips) but the local NBC television station has chosen to drop (two nights of) coverage of the Stanley Cup finals to it's affiliated independent station.

When does Bettman's contract come up for renewal?

Gerry Robideau, Seattle, WA

A: I think your point is that even where Americans may like hockey, it doesn’t necessarily mean they embrace the NHL. I think that’s true.

My understanding is that Bettman is under contract beyond the 2010 Olympics.

Q: Love your work Damien. Hail form OZ but followed ice hockey while I visited and couldn't help but notice the similarites between the problems facing the NHL with regards to the salary cap and Rugby League here in Australia.

One of the solutions proposed here is to allow each team to nominate one player drafted by the team (must have spent their entire career with the same organization) exempt from the salary cap. Do you think this would work in the NHL?

Steve Mills, Sydney, Australia

A: Wow. Mail bag entries from Hong Kong, Ukraine and Down Under in one week. Very cool.

Steve, I think the system you advocate could certainly work in the NHL, but it’s not one the league wants if only because it allows wealthier teams an edge but being able to spend more on an “exempt” player. Moreover, so few NHLers spend their entire careers with one team that this would be a shallow pool in which to fish, to be sure.

I guess I’m not sure what the advantage of such a system would be at this time to the NHL.

Q: I just want to ask how hard were you laughing when Leafs’ management said they would have made the playoffs had it not been for "one" player accused of doping?

I think it's hilarious, what's next? Their chakras were out of alignment? Gravity was heavier on their end of the rink? Why Torontonians stick behind this team year after year boggles the mind.

Todd McCleave, Toronto

A: Well, I don’t think it’s a stretch at all to say that the Islanders would not have qualified for post-season play if Hill’s drug suspension had been treated with a little more urgency and he had been disqualified for the final 10-15 games. He and defence partner Brendan Witt were awfully important pieces of the Isles’ playoff drive.

Now would the Leafs have been the team to get that spot? That’s a very different question.

Click here to send Damien a question and he'll answer a selection in his mail bag every Thursday in this space.

Free to Dream

MEL EVANS/AP

Scott Gomez has experience scoring goals against the Ottawa Senators, something the Maple Leafs are sure to be interested in.

Paul Holmgren, it's fair to say, beat a lot of his colleagues to the punch, just as he did a few times during his NHL playing career.

Now the GM of the sad sack Flyers, Holmgren added former Predator stalwarts Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timmonen to the Philly lineup for more than $10 million per season in salary cap costs, but before other NHL teams could even get a bid in. Holmgren moved a first rounder - actually, returned a first rounder - to the Preds to get exclusive rights to negotiate with Hartnell and Timmonen before the unrestricted free agent season opens July 1st, and got the names of both on contracts.

Add Timmonen and Hartnell to a new-look Flyer core group that includes Braydon Coburn, Ryan Parent, Martin Biron, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, and its fair to say fortunes are looking up in the Flyer kingdom.

This takes a couple of bodies out of the July 1st mix, but doesn't change things terribly, particularly up front where the Maple Leafs, among other clubs, will be hunting for bargains.

Sports poll
Which of the top five free agent forwards should the Maple Leafs chase? Ryan Smyth Scott Gomez Daniel Briere Chris Drury Jason Blake Results | Past Polls Speak Out

The top five free agent forwards remain Ryan Smyth, Scott Gomez, Daniel Briere, Chris Drury and Jason Blake, with the next level including Paul Kariya, Keith Tkachuk, Todd Bertuzzi, Ladislav Nagy, Alexei Yashin, Bill Guerin, Mike Comrie and Ruslan Fedotenko. Nobody's quite sure yet what's going on with Peter Forsberg, Gary Roberts or Brendan Shanahan.

So if you were the Leafs, who have $8-10 million to spend, and could have the pick of the crop, which free agent shooter would you gun for?

It's not easy, is it? Smyth would bring guts and all kinds of intangibles, but enough skill for $5-6 million? Is Gomez better than a 13-goal scorer? Can Briere deliver in the post-season enough to put a team over the top? Will Drury put up the same numbers elsewhere that he's put up with the flashy Sabres? Even though Blake potted 40 last season, is he just too old to spend big money on at age 33, 34 in September?

I change my mind on this question every day, but the guy who seems the best fit for the Leafs would be Gomez, a legitimate No. 2 centre behind Mats Sundin and the Swede's successor down the line.

But then again, Smyth has all that character, and Briere can sure skate, and . . .

The Hockey Business Heats Up

The hockey business has its rhythms, its natural ebbs and flows. Usually there's a break in the action, at least the visible activity, between the end of the Stanley Cup final and the draft, which then leads into the free agent market July 1st.

Thanks to Jim Balsillie, however, there really was no break. The frenetic speculation about the possibility of the NHL going to a real hockey market - Hamilton - rather than trying to force its product down the throats of more unsuspecting Americans made last week busy indeed.

Now we return to our regularly scheduled programming, namely rumours and conjecture about various teams and their plans, including:

What in the world is going on in Ottawa? It seems John Muckler is out as GM, but a little foggy as to why that is the case. Some suggest it's the clubs revolving goaltending door, others the inability to pick up Gary Roberts at the trade deadline and still others link the possible Muckler ouster to front office movement in Boston, where GM Peter Chiarelli may have been inclined to chase Ottawa assistant John Paddock as head coach, thus forcing the Sens to look at having Paddock take over behind the bench from Bryan Murray.

It sure seems, however, as though the euphoria of qualifying for the Stanley Cup final has faded in a hurry.

Speculation won't die that Anaheim defenceman Scott Niedermayer is eying retirement, having won everything there is to win, sometimes more than once. That could leave the Ducks without Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne, who is also looking at calling it quits, and would then in turn make the Ducks big players on the free agent scene.

The trick for GM Brian Burke, however, is that he needs to know soon, but at the same time doesn't want to rush either player.

Mike Milbury has popped up as a candidate for the Boston coaching position. But what about Pat Quinn? Given the number of people who believe Quinn is a terrific coach - not this space, by the way - you have to believe that he's going to get the call sooner or later. Its even been suggested he could fill New Jersey's opening, but given that Quinn once called Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello a coach-killer, the waters seem to poisoned for that.

An outside name? Don't forget the possibility of Terry Murray with the Bruins. (Ed. note: All speculation on the Bruins job came to and abrupt halt early Monday evening when it was confirmed Claude Julien, the former Montreal and New Jersey coach, will succeed Dave Lewis behind the Boston bench)

Don't know about you, but there's three names in this week's NHL draft that are both interesting in and of themselves, but could also be pivotal juniors in terms of the way in which the first round breaks down, particularly for Leaf fans.

The first two are Angelo Esposito of the Quebec Remparts and Sam Gagner of the London Knights. Esposito was touted last season as a potential first overall pick and Gagner was once seen as a top five selection, but the stock of both has fallen a bit, possibly to the point both could be available when the Leafs pick at No. 13.

Rated anywhere from a top 10 pick to a late first rounder, on the other hand, is Brandon Sutter of the Red Deer Rebels, and given the success of the grinding, scrapping Ducks, you can bet a few GMs would like to add that type of element - or family tree - to their organization.

The Leafs haven't taken a Canadian born and trained forward in the first round since Brad Boyes in 2000. Maybe this is the year.

Thursday Mail Bag

ANAHEIM, Calif.

Orange County may not be one of hockey's hotbeds or traditional homes. But let it be noted that it was here that the Stanley Cup was allowed to be properly celebrated again.

After years of watching the ice crowded with cameras, wires, families and friends to the extent the Cup was no longer even paraded around the ice in traditional fashion any longer, last night’s finale at the Honda Centre was a throwback experience.

SHAUN BEST/REUTERS

Sharing the Cup with fans.

“What we wanted to do was give it back to the players,” explained John Shannon, the NHL’s senior vice-president of broadcasting. With only a handful of media personnel on the ice, the two teams lined up unobstructed for the traditional handshake, with all the Anaheim players, even those who didn’t play, participating in full uniform. After Scott Niedermayer received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, the Stanley Cup, gleaming brilliantly, was walked out on to the ice in dramatic fashion.

Then the players, handing it to one another one by one, skated it around the ice, just like the way it had always been done before things got out of hand in the mid-nineties.

It was so much fun Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne took two twirls with the trophy, with the air filled with orange, yellow and silver ticker tape that gradually enveloped the arena like a thick fog.

It really was a gorgeous scene.

All in all, while the final was a dud largely due to the inept performance of the Ottawa Senators, the NHL delivered a first-class event with this year’s Stanley Cup final, the product of a new league initiative.

The league deserves congratulations.

Now, on to this week’s mail bag:

Q: In regards to the first question you received in last week's mailbag, can you honestly say that the Leaf organization is better off today than it was in the Harold Ballard days? At least Ballard was upfront with his intentions. We all knew he was cheap and had no real interest in winning. The current regime also has no interest in winning, yet they want to fool "Leaf Nation" into thinking that they are committed to winning by throwing out a product each year that is just good enough to make (or miss) the playoffs. As long as the team is decent, MLSE can sell their condos and continue to attract the business crowd. I think things are no better now than they were in the Ballard days.

Matt F., Toronto

A: I can only imagine the frustration of Leaf fans these days. But believe me, the hockey organization is light years ahead of the Ballard years in every possible way. I think Ballard probably wanted to win but had no idea how to do it. The same applies to the current group, and in that lies the only similarity.

Q: Mr. Cox, it is my opinion that the Leafs were far too easy a team to play against most nights last season. I realize you aren't the biggest fan of 'smashmouth' hockey but what would you think of the Buds adding Sean Avery to their roster? I see him as a Tucker type who has taken awhile to mature but has shown as of late that he can put the puck in the net as well as bodies into the boards. Avery would bring some much needed grit and scoring to Toronto. I know the Leafs have shown some interest in the past and I believe Avery is a UFA this summer. Wellwood centering Tucker and Avery would make an interesting unit don't you think?

Joseph Meehan, Stittsville, Ont.

A: First of all, I love "smashmouth," hard-hitting hockey. Just not the goon stuff.

As far as Avery goes, he showed a new level of maturity this season with the Rangers, and if you could be guaranteed he would play that way in the future, any team would want him, including the Leafs.

Q: Damien, it has been stated ad nauseam that MLSE does not want another team in Southern Ontario, but does anybody have any hard numbers, besides of course MLSE, about the impact of another popular (read successful) team in Southern Ontario?

The Leafs would still sell out every game, but I am guessing they project they would take a hit on merchandising. And I am guessing biggest hit would be that cash cow Leafs TV.

But does anybody have an idea of what the true impact would be in dollars and cents?

Paul Batte, Markham

A: I’ve asked about that at the NHL level, and the answer has been no. I would doubt that’s the truth, however. Still, I have grave doubts that even a successful team in Hamilton or Waterloo would have any impact on the Leafs in any meaningful way. They are hockey’s version of baseball’s Cubs; people aren’t going to desert the Leafs in droves just because a new team moves in.

Q: Dear Damien,

With the recent report of Mats Sundin and the Leafs reaching an agreement, we are pleased that the captain/ face of the franchise is returning. That being said, it is becoming evident how much Sundin really "cares" about winning in Toronto, what with the glorious $500,000 or so his new contract will save per season. As you alluded to in a previous article, this "discount" will do nothing to genuinely improve the Leafs' cap room and makes Sundin's comments about winning appear trite and dishonest. How do you feel about this new contract? Also, the option on Sundin was for $4.5 million, though the cap hit was for $6 million, so why not sign him to a new contract of $4.5 million per season for two seasons or at worst $5 mil per season?

Jonathan Yeh and Kevin Ebata, Montreal

A: Well, the contract’s not done, for starters. The Leafs believe Sundin can still be a major contributor, and in a league where the top salary next year will be close to $10 million, anything under $6 million for a team’s best player is probably a relative bargain.

Should Leaf fans have hoped that Sundin would take less to give the team more cap space to work with? Having made more than $70 million as a Leaf, I think that would have been a reasonable expectation for fans and a smart investment by Sundin if he really wants to try and win a Cup in Toronto. That said, it’s his contract, and his choice.

Q: Hi Damien. Is it not odd that the Phoenix Coyotes house cleaning did not include the coach? How long a leash does Don Maloney (the new GM) give Gretzky, or is it the other way around?

Neil Craig, Toronto

A: Well, Maloney is the new GM, but Gretzky is also a part-owner. If it gets to the point that Maloney wants a new coach, I think you’ll see Gretzky back away from the team. But like the Leafs with JFJ, Gretzky has to have learned a great deal during his coaching apprenticeship. Why not give him a good chance to put it to good use with the team that has suffered through his learning curve as all teams do with inexperienced coaches?

Q: Hi Damien, I enjoy reading your column. I'm just wondering, with Andrei Markov's signing for $5.75 million per, whether Bryan McCabe and his contract might look more appealing to another team? Any chance on (him agreeing to & JFJ making) a deal? Thanks!

Jeremy Wideman, Uxbridge, Ont.

A: I don’t think McCabe, despite his contract, is anything close to untradeable. Many teams would love to get their hands on a veteran defenceman capable of playing 30 minutes a night and in every situation. If he played for a team in which he was the No. 3 or 4 defenceman – like Anaheim or Detroit - he’d be a gem.

Q: Can you explain how J.S. Giguere customizes his equipment so that he has no 5-hole even when he keeps his goalie stick off the ice? He's also effectively closed the gaps between his arms and his torso. Why don't other goalies adopt his methods? They wouldn't have to make kick saves ever again. Finally, who's bigger in net: the old Garth Snow, or the new J.S.?

George Desmet, Valencia

A: Giguere is the biggest I’ve ever seen. The NHL insists his equipment is legal, although it looks to me like he’s wearing two sets of it. As far as his technique, its nothing more complicated than the butterfly style. He just does it well and for a team that defends well in front of him.

---

Every Thursday, Damien Cox answers your questions in The Spin, only at thestar.com.

Click here to submit a question.

Here We Go Again

It's been pretty evident for more than a year now that the NHL, despite its denials, is looking to expand to 32 teams from 30.

Despite all the damage done by recklessly adding nine teams in nine years from 1991 to 2000, the quick cash grab that is expansion has always been irresistible to the league and its owners.

Over the past week, there's been a lot of chatter about imminent expansion, likely to Kansas City - which has a brand new arena but failed to lure the Pittsburgh Penguins - and Las Vegas, which has no pro sports team. Yet.

Today, SportsBusiness Daily reported that the NHL has confirmed it has "been in discussions" with film and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer about a team in Vegas. Bruckheimer is a hockey fan and has been around and about the NHL scene for a while now. The story suggests that AEG, which owns the L.A. Kings and has built the arena in K.C., would also be involved in building a rink for the new team in Nevada.

Isn't this all nice and cozy?

At the same time, of course, there's the business of Jim Balsillie buying the Nashville Predators, likely with the intent of moving them to southern Ontario. The deal is set to close June 30, but both sides are trying to make it happen before that date.

Today, the National Post reported that Canada's Competition Bureau has notified the NHL that it intends to examine the league's relocation policies in regards to territorial infringement by one team upon another. There has been speculation that Balsillie has already acquired legal opinions suggesting that he could fight the current rules which would force him to compensate both Toronto and Buffalo if he moved the Preds to within 50 miles of either team.

So we have Vegas, we have K.C., and we have Balsillie ticking off the NHL brass a little more every day.

Fact is, of course, that Balsillie's $220 million offer to buy the Preds becomes a little more crucial to the league if it wants to ask for an exorbitant expansion fee, perhaps $150 million or more.

Would the NHL governors be more willing to accept a second team in southern Ontario if new teams were added in K.C. and Nevada? Could the compensation issue be somehow linked to expansion, as it was when L.A. owner Bruce McNall received half the $50 million expansion fee when the Mighty Ducks moved into Anaheim?

Could the dreadful concept of NHL expansion, and the obvious dilution of talent it would produce, actually be good news for Canadian fans if it means a seventh Canadian team?

This story grows more intriguing and complicated by the hour.