Leafs Watch

By TIM WHARNSBY -- Toronto Sun
SMITH CLOSER: Former Maple Leafs associate general manager Mike Smith met yesterday afternoon with Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz and then attended last night's Blackhawks-New Jersey Devils game in Chicago.

An announcement of Smith's hiring is expected by next week. He will be the club's de facto GM, but apparently will have the title of vice-president and director of hockey operations.

THOMAS LET OFF: NHL executive vice-president Colin Campbell yesterday ruled Leafs winger Steve Thomas would not be tagged with any supplementary discipline. Thomas caught the Buffalo Sabres' Vaclav Varada from behind in a game Monday and got a boarding penalty.

Under Campbell, the league has an improved system for handling such incidents. NHL employees in both the Toronto and New York offices view games and then make Campbell aware of plays that may warrant a suspension.

Campbell reviews each incident and decides whether to levy a suspension.

shuffling the deck: Would 5-foot-10 centre Bob Bassen be a stop-gap measure as as replacement for injured Leaf Yanic Perreault?

Bassen, who began the season playing in Germany, has been signed by the defending Stanley Cup champion Dallas Stars. However, he has to clear waivers first because he played in Europe this year. But the Leafs' interest in the 34-year-old Bassen is mild.

Also, Leafs GM/coach Pat Quinn said if Nik Antropov (shoulder) isn't ready for tomorrow's game, he will call up Kevyn Adams from St. John's to centre the fourth line.

HEALY STARTS: Quinn started Glenn Healy last night for two reasons: He wants to the backup goalie to stay sharp and he played well two weeks ago in Philadelphia.

"I don't want him to develop cobwebs," Quinn said.

Quinn relayed a story that occurred in Philadelphia a few seasons before he became the Flyers coach in 1978-79.

Apparently, late in a season, then coach Fred Shero started backup Bobby Taylor after playing Bernie Parent in every game that season. When asked why, Shero replied, "It was Taylor's turn." The Flyers lost 6-2 to Pittsburgh.

HERE'S TO HERBIE: Quinn, who turns 57 on Jan. 29, didn't see anything wrong with the Penguins hiring 62-year-old Herb Brooks as their coach.

"He's not too old," Quinn said. "You're never too old."

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