LCS Hockey - All Toronto Poised for Potvin's Pending Departure

All Toronto Poised for Potvin's Pending Departure
by Jonah A. Sigel, Toronto Correspondent

It all started late in the playoffs, as Toronto papers considered how the Leafs should best spend their cash in the off-season. It was argued by some that the best free agents available would be those who play goal. The Leafs, as is well known, already had a premiere goaltender in Felix Potvin. Therefore, it seemed the club would go after the next tier of free agents, including the likes of Brett Hull, Doug Gilmour, Al MacInnis, etc.

But what if the Leafs were unable to lure those stars to Toronto? What then? There was one option. The possibility existed of signing another front line goalie and then dealing Potvin for the much needed help up front.

Not many gave that proposal much thought. However, when the Leafs were dissed by several free agents, what once seemed a pipe dream became more and more of a reality.

It was first rumored that the Leafs would trade Potvin to Pittsburgh in a deal for holdout Petr Nedved and then sign Curtis Joseph, with the Pens then sending Barrasso to the Flyers. But the Flyers shocked the hockey world and signed John Vanbiesbrouck, scrapping the original plans. Thus, it seemed that the Leafs would be thwarted in their attempt to upgrade their talent this season.

As more free agents continued to turn away from Maple Leaf offers, the heat began to increase on the team to do something. Frankly, the press was killing the Leafs. In the most bizarre turn of events, the club finally got its man.

Around 2:30 PM on that fateful afternoon, ESPN reported that the Florida Panthers were on the verge of signing Mike Richter away from the Rangers. If true, the Rangers would be left without a goalie, and would surely sign Curtis Joseph. Giving some credence to the old rumor mill, the Leafs decided to up the ante on CuJo and get the deal done before the Rangers entered the picture.

The following day, Joseph was introduced to the Toronto Media and the Felix Potvin watch began. Since then, months have passed. The Leafs have had to demote Glenn Healy to the IHL while a deal can be made. There is no question the Cat will be dealt. The only question is where and for what?

Two teams seemed to be natural fits from day one: the Canadiens and the Canucks. An additional two candidates emerged in the Panthers, who got turned down by Richter, and the Islanders, who don't seem overly comfortable with Tommy Salo.

Things heated up with the Panthers and a trade seemed imminent. The deal rumored to be on the table would have seen Potvin and Jeff Ware head to Florida for Rob Niedermayer and Rhett Warriner. However, the Leafs were wary of dealing for Niedermayer in lieu of his history of concussions. The Leafs asked the Panthers for medical clearance on Niedermayer and were denied. The Leafs became more cautious as the Panthers turned down every request for medical assurances about Niedermayer's health. The deal ended in a huff and the Panthers signed Sean Burke.

Training camp went on with a daily watch of life between the Cat and the Dog. Would Felix come to camp? Would he stay in camp? What if he got hurt? Would he play? What would happen to Healy? Would they lose Healy in the waiver draft? All these questions and more filled the papers as the team headed for the end of camp. It appeared that the Habs were willing to part with any player or combination thereof with the exception of Saku Koivu, whom the Leafs coveted. Talks with the Canucks seemed to center around Alexander Mogilny, Bryan McCabe, and prospect Josh Holden. With the Isles, a deal seemed to be in the works for Bryan Berard and perhaps Bryan Smolinski. None ever materialized.

Clouding things a bit was that Mathieu Schneider never signed a deal with Toronto. Wanting to unload the unhappy blueliner, the Leafs made Schneider an addition to any Potvin deal, further complicating any proposed trades.

Just prior to the waiver draft a rumor hit the wires that seemed to have serious merit. ESPN reported the story only to retract it later. This would have been a major three-way trade that would have carried the moniker of blockbuster. The Leafs would send Potvin and Schneider to the Canucks, the isles would also send Smolinski to the Canucks. The Leafs would get Linden (then unsigned) and Berard, and the Isles would get Pavel Bure. All parties denied the story, however, there seemed to be too many people reporting it to totally dismiss it.

Since then, little of significance has happened. The waiver draft went down and the rest of the league passed on Healy. He has since accepted his assignment to Chicago of the IHL. Schneider has demanded a trade and Potvin remains a backup with the club.

The Leafs, largely on the play of CuJo, defeated the Stanley Cup Champions in the season opener (the last one ever to be played at Maple Leaf Gardens). As the Leafs play Edmonton at press time, they are on a western road trip with games against Calgary and Vancouver on tap for Friday and Saturday, respectively. It is widely assumed that Potvin will see action in on of those games, although a decision has yet to be made.

Many fans are in limbo. So long as the team plays well, and if they can put some wins together, they will remain in the driver's seat as far as a trade goes. If the Leafs go in the tank, other teams will try to pick GM Mike Smith's pocket.

With the Rangers and the Hurricanes in deep need for an offensive pointman, it appears that a Schneider deal could come before a deal involving the Cat. However, if a deal is close then perhaps a team who wants Felix may be forced to ante up before it's ready. Hypothetically, a deal for Potvin will involve at least one more Leaf and two players from another team. With Vancouver, for example, a Potvin for Mogilny deal is unlikely. It would be easier to make a deal with Schneider in the mix. If Mathieu is gone, then so too may be the opportunity to get a deal done for Felix. This could hasten the process.

So far the Leafs have done a great job handling this. The fans will fall in line as long as the team is winning or is at least competitive. This is, without a doubt, the most important deal the team has faced in years. Unfortunately, Smith has failed to realize the importance of the Toronto media. His continued failure to deal with them in a straightforward manner has cost him bad press lately. Should the team suffer a losing streak, the heat will once again get turned up. It is unlikely that a deal will be done until at least the 10-game point when teams will re-evaluate what they have and what they need.

It says here that Potvin and Schneider will go together to either the Canucks or the Isles. Time will tell. However, these are exciting days for Leaf fans. And that's the first time one could say that in many moons.