SVEHLA THREATENS RETIREMENT.

TORONTO STAR: Ken Campbell reported on April 29th that Maple Leafs defenceman Robert Svehla is threatening to retire unless he gets a significant raise from the club within ten days. His agent, Rich Winter, isn't optimistic of his client getting a new contract. Apparently, Leafs management views Svehla's threat as a "powerplay", much like what he did a year ago with the Florida Panthers, which ultimately saw his rights dealt to Toronto for Dmitri Yushkevich. His present deal paid him $3.8 million US last season, with two years at the club's option worth $4 mil per season plus bonuses. Svehla is apparently seeking $5 million per season. Winter's says money isn't the only issue here, as the blueliner has strong ties to his home country of Slovakia.

Spector's Note: My thanks to "Rob" for sending this in. So for $5 mil per season, Svehla's willing to stay in the NHL? What a crock! Homeland ties, my butt! Money talks and BS runs the marathon!

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

(April 27th)
WESLEY UNDECIDED ABOUT HIS FUTURE.

RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke Decock reports defenceman Glen Wesley, who waived his no-trade clause with the Carolina Hurricanes in February for a chance to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, is undecided as to whom he'll sign with next season. The Leafs thought highly of Wesley's play and are believed interested in re-siging him, but Wesley says he's leaving open the option of returning to the Hurricanes. The determining factor to where he'll end up will be the length of the contract being offered. Most NHL teams are gun-shy over offering long-term contracts to UFAs this summer, given the uncertainty over the league's future going into the next round of labour negotiations in September 2004.

Spector's Note: My thanks to "Garbage" for sending this in. If the Leafs wanna keep Wesley, they'll have to offer up a contract that extends beyond the end of the '03-'04 season. Toronto should be able to out-bid Carolina, as the 'Canes were unable to reach an agreement with Wesley on an extension prior to the March trade deadline, but obviously one shouldn't rule out the possibility of his returning to the Hurricanes if they, rather than the Leafs, are willing to go with a long-term deal.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

(April 25th)
LEAFS NOT INTERESTED IN LINDROS.

TORONTO STAR: Ken Campbell reports a "source close to the Maple Leafs" claims the club has no interest in trading for Eric Lindros. This comes in response to a report in yesterday's New York Post that suggested the Leafs might be willing to make a pitch for Lindros, and that the Rangers would want Leafs blueliner Tomas Kaberle as part of the package. Campbell rejected this, noting the Leafs were unwilling to part with Kaberle two years ago when the Flyers were shopping Lindros, and "the Big E's" trade value was much higher. Campbell notes decisions about the roster could change if Pat Quinn is relieved of his management role, but the reporter believes that, even then, the Leafs would have no interest in Lindros.

Spector's Note: Exactly! If the Leafs go shopping for anything this season, it'll be for depth on their blueline. Lindros's concussion history and contract make him practically untradeable

RENBERG TO RETURN TO SWEDEN?

TORONTO STAR: reports Maple Leafs forward Mikael Renberg may consider foregoing the final year of his contract (worth $2.4 million) to return to Sweden to play hockey next season. Apparently Renberg was unhappy over the lack of icetime he received as the Leafs-Flyers first round series progressed.

Spector's Note: I don't think there'll be too many Leafs fans upset over that prospect. And no, Renberg going home to Sweden doesn't increase the possibility of the Leafs trading for Eric Lindros!

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

(April 21st)
CHANGES COMING FOR THE LEAFS?

TORONTO STAR: Ken Campbell reports the Toronto Maple Leafs need "a premier defenceman who can play 30 minutes a game" and contribute at both ends of the ice. Campbell suggest the Leafs may make a pitch for Dallas Stars captain Derian Hatcher, who's slated for unrestricted free agency in July if he and the Stars cannot come to terms on a new contract. Campbell does point out that there is no guarantee the Leafs could sign Hatcher, as they'd be in a bidding war with other big-market clubs for the blueliner's services. Other free agent possibilities include Glen Wesley, Greg de Vries, Eric Desjardins, Calle Johansson, Ken Klee , Dmitry Yushkevich, Bryan Marchment, Jason Woolley , Brian Leetch , Don Sweeney and Ken Daneyko. To make room for one or two free agent blueliners, Campbell believes the Leafs won't make a qualifying offer to winger Jonas Hoglund, might buy out Jyrki Lumme, and might pass on the option year of Phil Housley.

Spector's Note: The Leafs simply must improve their blueline, which has been their achilles heel since Quinn took over as coach and GM. I suspect they'll re-sign Wesley. I'll be very surprised if the Stars decide not to re-sign Hatcher. The Flyers will probably keep Desjardins, whose play has improved noticeably this season. The Rangers won't let Leetch get away. Yushkevich burned his bridges with Quinn. The Avs will likely keep de Vries. Johansson might be available, but the Leafs already have plenty of soft defencemen. Klee is gritty but not exactly known for his offensive skills. Woolley might also be available, but he's hardly a "premier defenceman". Sweeney, Marchment and Daneyko are aging and well past their prime and also weren't considered premier blueliners during their best days.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

Posted 8/5/2003: Robert Svehla (D)
From Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) to Dukla Trencin
Added By: Dan Sgambelluri, Status: Confirmed
Has retired. Now VP in charge of jr plyr develop.

First member of the "DELete(tm) und Tripcke gehört weg"-Circle
"Lernen ohne zu denken ist verlorene Arbeit. Denken ohne zu lernen ist gefährlich..."
Ich kann gar nicht soviel essen wie ich kotzen kann - gegen Tempobeschränkungen auf deutschen Autobahnen! Pro !
Im Blut hat er Stickstoff und im Gehirn einen Tank voller Benzin!
Staff-Member of EH.N

JOHANSSON OR KLEE TO TORONTO?

TORONTO GLOBE & MAIL: Eric Duhatschek reported last Saturday the retirement of defenceman Robert Svehla leaves a big hole in the Maple Leafs blueline corps. While Leafs fans and management would love to sign Dallas d-man Derian Hatcher if he becomes an unrestricted free agent, Duhatschek suggested a more realistic replacement could be Washington Capitals blueliner Calle Johansson, who stated his intention last week on testing the UFA market. Another possibility, also from the Capitals, is Ken Klee, who was +22 and played 22 minutes per game for Washington.

Spector's Note: Good suggestions by Duhatschek, and don't think the Leafs haven't already considered those two, especially if Glen Wesley decides to test the free agent market.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

Svoboda Looking to Return After Illness
TORONTO - (CP) -- For the third time in a year, a Maple Leafs defenceman has been diagnosed with a rare illness.

Petr Svoboda, whose return to the Czech Republic midway through last season was based on poor performance, was in fact suffering from a wonky thymus gland. The gland, located in the upper chest above the heart, regulates such functions as body temperature and the immune system.

In addition to feeling worn down last season with the St. John's Maple Leafs, Svoboda felt the need to be swathed in heavy blankets at times because of low body temperature.

"The doctor in the Czech Republic told (Leafs physician) Michael Clarfield that maybe 1,600 people in that whole country have that condition," said Mike Penny, Toronto's director of player personnel. "The unfortunate part is that we're told it takes months to recover. That's three weird ones in a row for our defencemen."

Penny was referring to the blood clot that sidelined Dmitry Yushkevich for the second half of the 2001-02 season and Karel Pilar's viral infection this past winter, originally thought to be sinus woes, but actually was a problem that weakened his heart. In 2000-01, Swiss centre Luca Cereda was discovered to have a heart defect.

Svoboda, a second-round draft choice in 1998, played 18 games for the Leafs in 2000-01. Now that the nature of his condition has been discovered, he could re-enter the depth chart at some point next season. mapleleafs.com

LEAFS TO SET SIGHTS ON HATCHER, de VRIES?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reported last Sunday the Toronto Maple Leafs are still hopeful of re-signing defenceman Glen Wesley before he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. Failing that, however, the Leafs could set their sights on Colorado's Greg de Vries, who almost certainly will become a UFA, and will take a run at Derian Hatcher if he's unable to reach terms with the Dallas Stars.

Spector's Note: The Leafs blueline is their prime concern going into this summer. They're bound to sign one free agent defenceman this summer, but don't be surprised if they also look at bumping up Carlo Colaiacovo next season.

Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003

Vier gute Gründe ein Maple Leafs Fan zu sein.

In Antwort auf:

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Vier gute Gründe ein Maple Leafs Fan zu sein.

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Ich sehe nur zwei...
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Grüße
Stoner
National Forums League Champion 2002
FGOTH Osterchampion 2003
Ultraautonomer Paraguayaner

...ei er meint doch die Titten!!

Méschda Hoschbess holy ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!

Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!

newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!!
Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346
Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335
Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315
Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299

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Grüße
Stoner
National Forums League Champion 2002
FGOTH Osterchampion 2003
Ultraautonomer Paraguayaner

...ei ei ei, selbst darauf muss man ihn noch aufmerksam machen!!

Kennst so Dinger net??

Méschda Hoschbess holy ...und nichts ist wie es scheint!!

Brawls. Blood. Mayhem. Philly style. You want it - we got it!

newcoming tough enforcers: --> Leafs-Fans können hier klicken!!
Garrett Burnett HFD GP 62, G 6, A 1, P 7, Pim´s 346
Peter Vandermeer PHI GP 77, G 5, A 8, P 13, Pim´s 335
Sean McMorrow ROC GP 64, G 0, A 1, P 1, Pim´s 315
Darcy Verot SJN GP73, G 5, A 11, P 16, Pim´s 299

Die Hitze, der Wahn....
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Grüße
Stoner
National Forums League Champion 2002
FGOTH Osterchampion 2003
Ultraautonomer Paraguayaner

ei ei ei stonie, das hab selbst ich verstanden