Leafs Watch

By MIKE ZEISBERGER -- Toronto Sun
BACK IN: Alyn McCauley fought off a cold to return to the Maple Leafs lineup last night. If only he could fight off the lingering effects of post-concussion syndrome as easily.

After being scratched for three consecutive games, McCauley was in action as the Leafs took on the Penguins. Yet the 22-year-old Brockville native knows it will take a lot longer before he returns to his old form.

"I have realized it is going to be a long road," McCauley said. "Maybe it will take 50 games. Maybe it will take 82 games. Being out for a long period has allowed me to sit back and take a more realistic view of my situation. I have been trying to find so many answers to so many questions. Maybe there are no answers."

What has caused the most problems out on the ice?

"Most of it has stemmed from handling the puck," he said. "I've been on edge out there, and it as led to hesitation. I have got to be patient. I am always hard on myself to get back to normal. I am attempting to learn to take things as they come."

Leafs general manager/coach Pat Quinn feels McCauley may have been rushed back into action last month.

"He has to learn to walk before he runs," Quinn said. "The most important thing is that Alyn sticks to the program and continues his development.

"Alyn is very hard on himself. He wants to get back to the form he had as soon as possible."

McCauley last night played on a line with Tie Domi and Nik Antropov.

TIME HEALS: Goaltender Glenn Healy finally will get the opportunity to shake off some rust.

Healy is slated to start one of the Leafs' coming back-to-back games, Quinn said. Toronto plays in Philadelphia Friday afternoon and is home to Edmonton on Saturday.

Facing the Oilers would seem to be the more likely scenario for Healy. Joseph seems to be the natural choice to face an emotional Flyers squad which almost certainly will be out for revenge after being eliminated by Toronto in the NHL Eastern Conference quarter-finals last April.

Quinn isn't tipping his hand.

Healy's latest start came Nov. 6 when the Leafs lost 5-3 to the Capitals. Joseph has started eight consecutive games including last night in Pittsburgh.

KAZAKHSTAN CALLING? Rookie Antropov played for Kazakhstan during the 1999 world junior championship but will the Leafs allow him to do it again for the 2000 tournament?

"If it reached the point where he was sitting upstairs and such a request came, we might consider it," Quinn said. "But he is a regular right now. At this point, we are the ones who need him."

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