LEAFS LOSE SUNDIN FOR A WHILE

Well, not the news a Leafs fan wants to wake up to at the crack of noon: Mats Sundin -- you know all Mats, he's the only legitimate first- or second-line centre Toronto has -- is out 3-4 weeks with a torn ligament in his right elbow.

Don't come here looking for a cure-all solution, since there isn't one; Kyle Wellwood is the only other Leafs centre with real offensive flair and speed, but he doesn't play Sundin's two-way game (who does?). I added the "and speed" qualifier to pre-empt anyone from saying Jeff O'Neill will pick up the slack left by Sundin's absence.

Good news is the Leafs' next four games are spaced out somewhat, so they have time to get used to playing minus the Peerless Leader. Of course, as Raking Leafs points out, three of those four games are against Boston and Montreal. Ni-ice.

Ultimately, now we see how Paul Maurice can coach. By the way, Leafs management, torn ligament in his right elbow is not the preferred nomenclature... "Upper body injury," please.

That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.