| |
| |
| 1999-2000 Stat Leaders |
|---|
| Stat |
Leader |
No. |
| Goals |
Mats Sundin |
32 |
| Assists |
Mats Sundin |
41 |
| Points |
Mats Sundin |
73 |
| +/- |
Mats Sundin |
16 |
| Shots |
Sergei Berezin |
241 |
| Ice Time (F) |
Mats Sundin |
20:10 |
| Ice Time (D) |
Dmitri Yushkevich |
23:18 |
| Faceoff Pct. |
Yanic Perrault |
61.80% |
| Hits |
Dmitri Yushkevich |
266 |
| PP Pts |
Steve Thomas |
24 |
| SH Pts |
Igor Korolov |
5 |
| |
|
Three goals a game. It amounts to 246 over the course of an 82-game regular season and it's all it takes these days to rank second in the league in team goals scored. And that's where the Maple Leafs left off on April 8 as the Northeast Division champions, before the playoffs began, when the halcyon days are replaced by a grueling, tight-checking, we're-gonna-run-your-goalie hockey.
And that's just about the time the slick-skating, sharp-shooting Leafs were put to sleep by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Devils. In their six-game series, Toronto was outshot 197 to 117 and managed only six shots in the deciding game. It became clear Toronto needed something.
So while some teams spent the offseason shopping for more talent, the Maple Leafs sought some grit. Enter just-ornery-enough free agents Gary Roberts and Shayne Corson, who were the class of the free agent Class of 2000. And now, presto, the Leafs are considered Stanley Cup finalists by many.
For more on the Maple Leafs, bookmark this page and check back Wednesday, Oct. 11 for a Sports Illustrated Scouting Report.
| BRIGHT SPOTS |
|
GRAY AREAS |
|
Dave Manson should keep Cujo runnings to a minimum, while Roberts is still a 20-goal scorer on any line, and perhaps in the 25-30 range on Sundin's left.
Lightning rod Sundin may get a little less attention with a tougher surrounding cast. (Or maybe those trade rumors will heat up again.)
When Sergei Berezin has room and a shot (let's not kid ourselves, Berezin can usually see a shot) he is among the NHL's most dangerous snipers.
Jonas Hoglund scored 29 of his career 68 goals for Toronto in 1999-2000. (But he did a bit of the Invisible Man thing without Mats Sundin and he's been vocal about not handing his job to Roberts.)
Eric Lindros may end up in Toronto.
|
|
Cujo battled a groin injury for the better part of camp.
Too many of those flashy forward's numbers go the way of the anchor when the playoffs begin.
Steve Thomas is 37. Mats Sundin is 29. And the additions of Roberts (34), Corson (34) and Manson (33) don't keep the Leafs any younger.
Corson has averaged only 63 games and 12 goals (including two eight-goal campaigns) over the last four seasons.
Centers Yanic Perreault (statistically the NHL's faceoff leader) and Nik Antropov are each coming off knee surgery. Perreault, with the more serious of the these injuries suffered in the Battle of Ontario, tore both his ACL and MCL, while Antropov tore an ACL.
Eric Lindros may end up in Toronto.
|
| Comings |
|---|
| Player |
Pos. |
From |
Via |
| Shayne Corson |
LW |
Montreal |
Free agent |
| Glenn Healy |
G |
Toronto |
Re-signed |
| Jonas Hoglund |
LW |
Toronto |
Re-signed |
| Dave Manson |
D |
Dallas |
Free agent |
| Danny Markov |
D |
Toronto |
Re-signed |
| Alyn McCauley |
C |
Toronto |
Re-signed |
| Yanic Perreault |
C |
Toronto |
Re-signed |
| Gary Roberts |
LW |
Carolina |
Free agent |
| |
| Goings |
|---|
| Player |
Pos. |
To |
Via |
| Kevyn Adams |
F |
Columbus |
Expansion |
| Greg Andrusak |
D |
San Jose |
Free agent |
| Wendel Clark |
LW |
Retired |
|
| Tommi Rajamaki |
D |
Columbus |
Expansion |
| Terran Sandwith |
D |
Edmonton |
Free agent |
| |
Prospect Watch
Petr Svoboda, D, 6' 3", 194
Born: June 20, 1980 in Jihlava, Czech Republic
Acquired: 1998 entry draft (No. 35 overall)
Acqusitions leave little room for prospects to take a forward spot, but Bryan Berard's injury did leave a spot open on the blue line for a defenseman who can move the offense. Tall order for a youngster, to be sure, but the Svoboda did make the final cut coming out of camp. Reports out of Toronto detail a good-not-great rookie tournament, but Svoboda, it seems, finished better than he started. Defenseman Peter Reynolds (6' 3" 195) also played well in the rookie tournament -- won by the Leafs -- and may get a look, too.
Get the Highlighter
Saturday, Oct. 7 vs. Montreal. The Maple Leafs open the season at Air Canada Centre against their ancient rivals.
Thursday, Nov. 2 vs. New Jersey. Defending Cup champs roll into town for a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals.
Thursday, March 1 at Washington. March means nine of 14 games on the road, including trips to Alberta (Flames and Oilers), British Columbia (Vancouver), Florida (Panthers and Lightning), Buffalo, Philadelphia and Montreal.
Quoteworthy
"I'm anxious and nervous at the same time. I've been thinking about this all summer. I feel like a rookie again. I've been through 17 camps, but this feels like the first. I've had the opportunity to be a captain on three different teams [Oilers, Blues and Canadiens], and hopefully I can bring that leadership here. The biggest thing is we have to accept our roles. What you have to realize is you're just as important as anybody else. The main thing is the two points."
—Shayne Corson
Team-by-team previews compiled by CNNSI.com's Ken Klavon, Jamie MacDonald and Jimmy Traina.
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