Maple Leafs general manager John Ferguson installed Greg Gilbert as the new head coach of the AHL's Toronto Marlies on Thursday and continued to mull over possible additions to the big club's roster.
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Ferguson confirmed that he'd talked to Andy Murray, the former head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, about the Marlies job, but he was happy to get Gilbert.
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He'd like to add a scorer up front. He's talked with the agent for free agent Anson Carter but the price probably is too steep given the team's closeness to the $44-million US salary cap.

"What is success today?" Quinn said on CKNW radio over the weekend. "Is it just winning the (Stanley) Cup, or being a team that makes money? ... I don't know who defines success today. We have a lot of those middle managers, so to speak, the presidents that don't have a clue what is going on but might be able to build the logo. But you know what builds the logo? Winning hockey games.

Hap Day, Red Kelly and Borje Salming will have banners raised in their honour prior to the Toronto Maple Leafs' home opener Oct. 4, the NHL club announced Tuesday.

Banners previously raised feature Syl Apps, Ted Kennedy, Turk Broda, Johnny Bower, King Clancy, Tim Horton, George Armstrong, Charlie Conacher, Frank Mahovlich and Darryl Sittler.

Other banners hanging high above Air Canada Centre ice honour the contributions to the team by Ace Bailey and Bill Barilko, who are the only players who have had their numbers retired - Bailey's 6 and Barilko's 5.

Mats Sundin scores a goal, your cellphone rings and, if you're a Rogers subscriber, you can watch an instant replay from the Toronto Maple Leafs game wherever you happen to be.

It could happen within six to 12 months as part of the new six-year partnership announced Tuesday that makes Rogers Communications Inc. the “preferred communications supplier” to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

Maurice inheriting a tough season ahead
Lack of depth not his fault, just his problem

Thus, Toronto goes into the second post-lockout training camp with the same number of legitimate first-line forwards that it had going into last season. That number is one, and his name is Mats Sundin.
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Just because your scouts haven't produced any first-line forwards in two decades however, doesn't mean you do not have to ice a first line each night. So he'll run, among others, players like Alex Steen, Kyle Wellwood, Matt Stajan and Alexei Ponikarovsky through on Sundin's flanks, a plan he admits should be, "More effective at the end of the year than at the start of the year, very probably."

"It's a dogfight now for everybody to get into the playoffs," he said. "My biggest concern outside of hockey is controlling the emotional rollercoaster our team will go on based on the interest in the team.

On a day when 8,021 fans packed the Ricoh Coliseum to cheer on Mats Sundin in a glorified scrimmage, it was a pair of relative unknowns — centre Erik Westrum and rookie linemate Jiri Tlusty — who stole the show.

Westrum scored twice and Tlusty once, each showing skill and patience that belie their experience, as the pair of long shots did their best to shorten the odds.

The announcement was made official moments ago during a press conference at the Air Canada Centre as the respected NHL veteran formally announced his retirement. He's the latest addition to the TSN family following recent signings this year of Brian Williams, James Cybulski and Darren Dreger.

After exhaustive medical testing which concluded yesterday, Carlo Colaiacovo has been given medical clearance to return to practice.

As the Toronto Maple Leafs struggle to deal with an injury-depleted blueline, it is quite likely they will be without defenceman Pavel Kubina for opening against the Ottawa Senators.

The 1967 Maple Leafs were not only the last Toronto squad to hoist the Stanley Cup, they were the last champions from an era celebrated by all hockey purists. The 1966-67 season was the last of the "Original Six" as the NHL would expand to 12 teams.

So when Toronto welcomes back members of that legendary team this Saturday at the Air Canada Centre, including Conn Smythe winner Dave Keon whose presence will end a 31-year feud with the organization, Leafs fans and the NHL will be celebrating not only the 40th anniversary of that team, but the end of an era.

Darcy Tucker had an unusual complaint after the Maple Leafs practised Monday.

"It was too bright out there," said the rambunctious right-winger. The NHL team's annual outdoor practice was held amid difficult conditions with gusting winds driving the chill factor into the -20s, a brief snow squall and a glaring sun. Head coach Paul Maurice ordered his men off the ice after 45 minutes.

The 250 children who got an hour out of school to bundle up against the cold loved every minute of it, and the players did, too. It was a refreshing break from routine for the Leafs before they resume their pursuit of the eighth and final NHL playoff berth with a home game against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.

"I'm sure for the fans it was pretty exciting," said Leafs forward Kyle Wellwood, attending Sunday night's Raptors NBA game. "When New Jersey scored at the end, it was unbelievable. With 15 seconds left, it looked like the Islanders were going to the clear the puck.

"When Jersey scored, we figured things might go our way."

Ferguson fought to control tears during a media scrum in the Leafs dressing room held moments after the Isles' victory.

"It's going to take a little while to collect my thoughts here," said a visibly emotional Ferguson. "Disappointing. A lot of good things happened for us this year. Some great play from a lot of the younger players. But all that's lost on us at this point."

Bell pleaded guilty in a San Jose courtroom Tuesday to charges of drunk driving causing injury and hit and run.

The Leaf forward, picked up in the Vesa Toskala trade with San Jose in June, will be sentenced to six months in a Santa Clara ,California county jail to be served at the end of this upcoming season.

Veteran Globe & Mail columnist Allan Maki -- who just happens to be about the nicest fellow one could meet -- ran afoul of Leafs Nation with his column on Wednesday aptly entitled "FLASH! LEAFS SCRIMMAGE! NATION ATWITTER!" In the piece, Maki poked fun at the absurd level of coverage accorded the Leafs' first group scrimmage of the summer -- a workout at Lakeshore Lions Arena that pre-dated training camp by a full month.

Bower feared 'Rocket' the most

"Everywhere I go, everybody wants to know when Toronto will win another Cup," he said. "I don't know what to say anymore. There are 30 teams today and it's not as easy. I think you have to go with the young legs. Look at (head coach) Randy Carlyle and the Anaheim Ducks (2007 Stanley Cup champs). They were fantastic with their young kids."
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And, he's not too crazy about new NHL regulations that limit the dimensions of goalie pads.

"The way they shoot the puck today I'd be cheating too," he said. "I don't know if I could play today. We had a defensive hockey club and I might get 25 or 30 shots a game. Today, they get 30 or 40 since they took the red line out."

During regular duty in 15 NHL seasons, Bower never posted anything higher than a 2.85 GAA. He was a stand-up goalie who played the angles and perfected the pokecheck.

"I learned that from Charlie Rayner in New York," he said. "It's so effective. Goalies today don't realize you add another 53 inches when you dive. It's all timing.

"And, if you miss the puck, you can trip the guy."

A treasure hunter searching in Florida waters came across a true Canadian find - a Stanley Cup ring marking the last time Toronto's Maple Leafs were able to clinch the hockey championship.

Sources tell TSN Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell has been suspended indefinitely without pay after being placed into stage two of the NHL's substance abuse program.

In order to be reinstated, Bell will require the recommendation of program doctors along with the approval of both the National Hockey League and the NHLPA.

The swift and terse reaction of the NHL Players' Association to the 15-game suspension handed to Toronto winger Mark Bell wasn't entirely unexpected. Even as it struggles to reinvent itself in this post-Saskin period of peace and prosperity, the union has to appear as though it still has claws. But is the defense of a convicted felon really the fight they want to pick, especially in this climate?

The Maple Leafs are rumoured to be on the short list should the NHL again choose to open the 2008-09 season in Europe.
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Stockholm would be a strong possibility for the Leafs, who have Swedes Mats Sundin -- for this year anyway -- as well as Alex Steen. A perfect match would be the Vancouver Canucks with the Sedin twins and Markus Naslund.

PAW RAYCROFT

Goalie Andrew Raycroft accepted congratulations from friends all this week at camp on a 'new arrival' named Stella and admitted he and wife Erin aren't getting much sleep. This bundle of joy, however, has a tail.

"No kids yet, but we just got a new bull retriever," Raycroft explained. "Stella is hilarious to watch. I'm taking her to doggy (obedience) school this week."

Sources tell TSN Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell is expected to be reinstated today, ending his indefinite suspension after being placed into stage two of the NHL's substance abuse program last month.

Bell will now begin serving the additional 15 game suspension handed down by the National Hockey League and won't make his Maple Leafs debut until November 6th in Ottawa.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake has been diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia.

Blake announced Monday that he has chronic myelogenous leukemia, a slow-growing cancer of the white blood cells.
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Blake is in no immediate danger and shouldn't miss any playing time, according to team doctors. He has already started treatment.

Blake diagnosed with leukemia
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Blake diagnosed with leukemia
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I saw this on NHL.com, but at first I thought it was Rob Blake who was diagnosed with it....DAMN!

Sux that it has to be Jason Blake. I wish him well

This auction includes 22 game worn or game ready helmets. These helmets were either worn or prepared for the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Pittsburgh Penguins on October 13th 2007 - "Pink Ribbon Night". We have also listed other memorabilia from the night such as Pink Hockey Fights Cancer ties worn by our coaches and broadcasters and other unique Pink Ribbon items.


You are bidding on a Wonderbra with silken pink underwire cups, adorned with feminine jacquard lace fabric. Jersey lining in the cups ensures support and opacity. Comfortable straps with back elastic release provide added ease of movement. The bra has been autographed by Kyle Wellwood.


You are bidding on one of five pink RBK Women's Fashion Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys. This collector's jersey is autographed by the 2007/08 Toronto Maple Leafs. The winning bidder will receive a letter of authenticity which accompanies the autographed jersey.

Teenage forward Jiri Tlusty of the Toronto Maple Leafs issued a statement Tuesday night regretting that pictures taken of him found their way on the Internet.

The pictures were apparently taken while the Czech native was still playing for the Ontario Hockey League's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds last season.

Well after all, his name is Tlusty...

This does not bode well for the Leafs' trip to California this week, in which they'll play the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. Naturally, since the Leafs are involved, California is in the midst of its coldest, wettest weather in decades, with floods the order of the day.
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And there was the power play. It was feeble once again, except for captain Mats Sundin, who did put one of those long slap shots behind Niittymaki. But 1-for-6 doesn't cut it, not when you produce only 13 shots on those six chances.
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The Leafs remain a team with fragile confidence, even on nights when they are working relatively hard. They always find ways to lose the tight ones.