Mats' stardom goes global

By TIM WHARNSBY -- Toronto Sun
Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin has soared into the lead in voting for the centre position for the World all-star team.

The NHL yesterday released the voting totals for November and Sundin, who is riding a seven-game point streak, finds himself with 48,988 votes.

He is more than 8,000 ahead of the Colorado Avalanche's Peter Forsberg in the bid to be the starting centre for the 2000 NHL all-star game at the Air Canada Centre on Feb. 6.

The Leafs likely will go nuts if the same the honour is not bestowed upon their faithful goaltender, Curtis Joseph.

Although Joseph has not been as busy this season -- the Leafs have averaged 26.19 shots against per game, compared with 28.76 in 1998-99 -- the standout goaltender has put up better numbers.

He is third or better in each of the four major goaltending categories: Wins, save percentage, goals-against average and shutouts. The Leafs also have led the race for the William Jennings Trophy for more than a month with a team goals-against average of 2.08.

"Cujo is not only the best goalie in the league right now, he is the best in whole world," Leafs defenceman Dmitry Yushkevich said.

"This year, we have played better defensively. But Curtis has maintained his level. He has been unbelievable. Hopefully, with us playing better in front of him, he won't wear down late in the season."

Joseph and others certainly made big contributions to the Leafs' success last season. Hard-working veteran Steve Thomas scored 28 goals. Sergei Berezin broke through for 37 goals. Derek King contributed 24 goals.

But while Thomas and Berezin will be in tough to repeat their numbers and King is gone, Joseph, 32, continues to produce eye-opening statistics.

"You want your guys to reach new levels or stay at a level," Leafs general manager/coach Pat Quinn said. "There was reason to believe a couple guys who had terrific years last year might not be able to repeat.

"But Curtis has repeated for many years now. He has been a dominant player at his position everywhere he has played. With him you don't expect his play to fall off. But obviously a reasonable person might think that way. I haven't spent a lot of time thinking about it."

Joseph's reliability has allowed Quinn to develop four youngsters on defence -- Bryan Berard, Chris McAllister, Tomas Kaberle and Danny Markov.

"He gave us the ability to start four young guys on defence who usually you would lose with," Quinn said.

"It allowed them to grow and get better. Even those kids are a little bit better so far this season. He has given us an unusual ability to get better without having to make those steps some teams have to in order to get better."

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