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head coach: Mike Murphy

roster: C - Darby Hendrickson, Steve Sullivan, Alyn McCauley. LW - Fredrik Modin, Wendel Clark, Todd Warriner, Derek King, Kris King, Igor Korolev. RW - Mats Sundin, Sergei Berezin, Tie Domi, Mike Johnson, Martin Prochazka, Lonny Bohonos. D - Sylvain Cote, Dimitri Yushkevich, Mathieu Schneider, Jason Smith, Rob Zettler, Daniil Markov, David Cooper. G - Felix Potvin, Glenn Healy.

injuries: Maple Leaf playoff hopes (dead, will try again next year).

transactions: Daniil Markov, d, was not sent to St. John's (AHL) as reported last issue; signed Rob Zettler, d, to contract extention, David Cooper, d, recalled from St. John's.

standings:

Western Conference - Central Division
Team         GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   
p-Dallas     82  49  22  11   109  242  167  
x-Detroit    82  44  23  15   103  250  196  
x-St Louis   82  45  29   8    98  256  204  
x-Phoenix    82  35  35  12    82  224  227  
Chicago      82  30  39  13    73  192  199  
Toronto      82  30  43   9    69  194  237  

x - Clinched playoff spot
p - Clinched President's Trophy

game results:

4/06 at Dallas     L 4-2
4/07 at Florida    W 3-1  
4/09 at Carolina   L 5-2 
4/11 Carolina      W 5-1 
4/15 Chicago       W 3-2 
4/18 at Edmonton   L 4-3 
4/19 at Vancouver  W 2-1 

team news:

by Jonah Sigel, Toronto Correspondent

Questions Abound. What a Novelty

The season ended on April19...finally.

Leaf fans have once again been put out of their misery long before someone gets to drink from Lord Stanley's Cup. As was predicted and reported on throughout the season, the talent level was inadequate and, as a result, the on-ice performance suffered. Players did not perform up to the minimal levels they were capable of.

This team was so bad, that when the time was right to lose, it could not. In this most appropriate time to blow some games, they were squeaking out some wins. At what cost? Give or take four draft positions. Murphy's boys were able to muster up enough wins in the last couple of weeks to just rise above the other bad teams and thus earn at worst the eighth pick in the June Draft.

Several players, of note Mats Sundin, called out for ownership and management to make a strong effort to upgrade the talent level and depth on the squad. There simply are not enough quality bodies on the roster to compete nigh in and night out. What was most disappointing was that once eliminated from the playoffs, and jobs were on the line, both coaches and players finally appeared to gel. However, it may not be enough to keep the bulk of either around too long.

As the rest of the league marches on in the playoffs, at least those who make the playoffs, expect some rumblings of change from Maple Leaf Gardens. With the team moving to a new building and the possibility of seat licenses being mentioned, there will have to be a pretty heavy public relations boost if the team hopes to keep its fans happy. While most don't expect the team to win tomorrow, it would be nice if they could compete night in and night out.

Much could change from now until the season-in-review edition, so until then, root for your second favorite team.

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