Maple Leafs Notes: Quick Hit Edition

Let me preface this article by apologizing for not doing a game recap/analysis for last night's Buffalo/Toronto game.  I wasn't feeling that well, and went to bed as soon as it was finished (and besides, it wouldn't be a recap.  It'd be more like an autopsy, because they were snuffed last night.)

Anyways, on to the news...

Latest On Mats Sundin

Mats did not take part in practice this morning.  He is sick with the flu.  There are even rumblings from a radio talk show that he is taking IV fluids because the flu has left him so dehydrated. However that has not been confirmed by a major media outlet. 

Also, Cliff Fletcher met with Sundin this morning and asked the big Swede to give him a list of teams he might want to be dealt to. 

It is believed some of the teams on that list are the usual suspects (Anaheim, Detroit, Vancouver.)  There are also some Eastern conference teams involved, including Ottawa and Montreal.  

It is believed that the way deadline day will work is that Fletcher will try to get a deal he likes from one (or more) of the teams on Mats's list.  Then he will go to Mats and give him the outline of the deal (remember, Mats wants what is best for this franchise too, and knows his departure could really kickstart the rebuilding process.) 

If Mats likes any of the deals, then he would be asked to waive his no trade clause.  Cliff will only ask him to waive the NTC if he thinks he has a great deal in place, and will let Mats in on what that deal is before going ahead.

Latest On Bryan McCabe

McCabe also missed practice today with the flu (along with Andrew Raycroft).  Aside from Sundin, Fletcher also met with McCabe today to discuss the upcoming trade deadline. 

It is not clear whether or not he asked McCabe for a list of teams like he did Sundin, or if he simply talked about the possibility of being dealt. 

It was reported earlier in the week that McCabe would waive his no trade clause to facilitate a move back to Long Island and become an Islander.  Fletcher could have been meeting with the defenseman regarding a potential deal in place with New York, or he simply could have been preparing for Tuesday, gauging McCabe's feelings toward a move.

Latest On Darcy Tucker

Andy Strickland of ESPN Radio out of St. Louis is reporting that Fletcher met with Darcy Tucker earlier today and asking him to waive his no trade clause.  Strickland says that Fletcher has deals on the table for the gritty winger from Detroit, Ottawa, and Anaheim.

Fletcher conducted the meeting after practice this morning (as he did with the two players mentioned above) and asked the feisty forward to waive his NTC; however, Tucker apparently declined. 

GM Search Over?

On Leafs Lunch (heard every weekday on AM640 in Toronto) former Maple Leafs GM Bill Watters (who is a host of the program) said that the search for the next general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs is apparently over.  Watters wouldn't tip his hand too much, only saying that the man who will get the job is not a current GM which has caused all sorts of speculation.

Many feel the leading candidates  are Anaheim Assistant GM Dave McNab, Detroit assistant GM Jim Nill, Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson, and the director of NHL Discipline Colin Campbell.

That's Leafs Notes for February 22nd, a very busy day indeed.  I have a lot to do tonight, but I will continue to follow all these stories as the weekend progresses.

Next Game

Toronto Vs Atlanta

Game Time

7PM as part of CBC's Hockey Night In Canada.

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