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Trade him Already!
Many people have criticized Felix Potvin for leaving the Leafs and they've upped the criticism now that Felix wants back in because of his lost income. But I feel, that the Leafs management crew are the ones to blame here and it just may come around to bite them in the rear in the near future.
Lately in sports, people have been right to side against the players: Tkachuck won't honour hi$ contract, Peter Nedved sit$ out for more $, Pavel Bure demand$ a deal becau$e he'$ to recongnized. But Felix Potvin is not sitting out for more money; he left the Leafs because they promised to trade him and they've broken that promise. Felix said he'd come to training camp to stay in shape, he said he's stick with the team so they'd deal him; but the Leafs haven't dealt him because they've been asking for too much in return.
The number of teams interested in Potvin has been decreasing, not increase as Mike Smith had hoped. First the Canucks back out because Smith was leaking names to the press. Then Montreal and Chicago swap goalies to cross those two names off the list. Then Tampa Bay and Edmonton back out after the Leafs ask too much. Now the Flames, the NHL team in most need of a goalie have ended their pursuit of Potvin because the Leafs have once again been asking for too much. The Leafs have constantly been asking for a lot in return: When Tampa offered Renberg, the Leafs asked for another player; when Edmonton offered Smythe and Ninimaa, the Leafs demanded Smythe and Mironov. Some of the other rumours have been more ridiculous: Mark Recchi, Theo Fleury, Pavel Bure... The Leafs just don't realize that there is no demand for a high priced NHL goalie.
Most teams have a goalie who they feel is as good as Felix and those who don't have either broken off talks with Toronto (see Vancouver, Tampa Bay) or can't afford Potvin who is also a restricted free agent after the year. As much as Calgary or Edmonton would like a goalie, you can bet Glenn Sather doesn't want to have to deal with another restricted free agent for a while. Other teams like LA have been able to fill the goaltending spot with cheap guys like Manny Legace. The point is the demand for goaltenders is at an all-time NHL low especially with the expansion draft approaching. And if the Leafs don't hurry up and deal Potvin, they may be forced to trade him for less or lose him for nuthin' to an expansion club.
Potvin has not asked for this, he shouldn't be treated this way, and the Leafs should deal him before they've scared every club in the NHL off with their outrageous demands.
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