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Sportsnet has learned talks between the Toronto Maple Leafs and star goaltender Ed Belfour have broken off and the veteran netminder is fully prepared to now test the free agent market.
Sources tell Sportsnet the two sides can't find common ground on the structure of a new agreement.
The Leafs now have until Thursday to decide whether or not they will submit one more offer.
The 39-year-old Belfour amassed 34 wins last season with a 2.13 goals against average. For his career, Belfour has a 435-281-111 regular season record with a 2.43 GAA.
Belfour's backup, Trevor Kidd, had a 6-5-2 record during the regular season with a 3.26 GAA.
Should Belfour and Toronto not be able to come to an agreement, the Leafs will be hard pressed to find a replacement of Belfour's calibre. With Dominik Hasek all but signed in Ottawa, there is little left in the free agent category.
Goaltenders Sean Burke and Byron Dafoe are two of the more prominent goalies that will become free agents July 1st, but both are believed to be past their prime and more suitable for backup roles at this point in their careers.
Other possible replacements for Belfour are the Blues Chris Osgood and the Hurricanes' Kevin Weekes. Osgood became expendable when the Blues traded for former Senators goalie Patrick Lalime, and Kevin Weekes is believed to be on the trading block and may be had for the right price.
Toronto also has heir apparent Mikael Tellqvist waiting in the wings for the No. 1 job but handing over the reins to an unproven goalie would be a very unpopular move for Leafs fans who are hungry for immediate success.
Sources tell Sportsnet the two sides can't find common ground on the structure of a new agreement.
The Leafs now have until Thursday to decide whether or not they will submit one more offer.
The 39-year-old Belfour amassed 34 wins last season with a 2.13 goals against average. For his career, Belfour has a 435-281-111 regular season record with a 2.43 GAA.
Belfour's backup, Trevor Kidd, had a 6-5-2 record during the regular season with a 3.26 GAA.
Should Belfour and Toronto not be able to come to an agreement, the Leafs will be hard pressed to find a replacement of Belfour's calibre. With Dominik Hasek all but signed in Ottawa, there is little left in the free agent category.
Goaltenders Sean Burke and Byron Dafoe are two of the more prominent goalies that will become free agents July 1st, but both are believed to be past their prime and more suitable for backup roles at this point in their careers.
Other possible replacements for Belfour are the Blues Chris Osgood and the Hurricanes' Kevin Weekes. Osgood became expendable when the Blues traded for former Senators goalie Patrick Lalime, and Kevin Weekes is believed to be on the trading block and may be had for the right price.
Toronto also has heir apparent Mikael Tellqvist waiting in the wings for the No. 1 job but handing over the reins to an unproven goalie would be a very unpopular move for Leafs fans who are hungry for immediate success.
I'm the thinking the Rangers would be a good fit
I wonder what Eddie's priorities are at this point? If he can't get the paycheck he's looking for, would he opt to retire or play for a crappy team like the Rangers? He's always been so competitive and I would think he was sick of carrying a lousy team on his back after 2 years in Toronto. I would suspect he'd want to go to a competitor.
"Crazy" Eddie is at it again....I just love that guy, I really do!!! He is one ineteresting dude!!!! Never a dull moment with that one... 
