Leafs Watch

By LANCE HORNBY -- Toronto Sun ALL-STAR GAZING: Plans for All-Star 2000, the 50th NHL all-star game, will be released today at a news conference, but some details already are known.
There will be a series of events in the week leading to the Feb. 6 game at the Air Canada Centre, including the Canadian Hockey League top prospects game and a U.S.-Canada women's exhibition. The Heroes of Hockey game, which is packaged with the skills competition, will be preceded by a special skate at the Gardens with NHL old-timers, though it is not clear how many invitations will go to the public.
X-FILES: The spooky part of Mats Sundin's fractured ankle is that a Toronto radio station created a frenzy five days ago by reporting that Sundin was in hospital with a broken leg. The report, based on a phone tip, was erroneous.
THOMAS STAYS IN: The NHL did not take action against Leafs winger Steve Thomas for a late hit on Jason York during the Leafs-Senators game Saturday at the Corel Centre. Thomas, who broke York's nose against the boards, delivered the hit after time had expired but claimed he thought there was more time remaining on the clock. Thomas called York on Sunday to apologize.
"I don't want to be known as a back-stabbing guy," Thomas said yesterday. "But things happen out there."
Leafs general manager/coach Pat Quinn maintained it was not a hit from behind as the Senators complained, but from the side and that York was able to brace himself.
MAGIC LEGWAND: Some goaltenders have a book on opposing shooters, but Glenn Healy was completely surprised by rookie Predator David Legwand's move on a partial breakaway for the winning goal.
"He made a perfect shot," Healy said, as Legwand fought off Bryan Berard and put it up top as Healy went down.
Legwand, the league's second choice overall last year, played just one game in 1998-99 and had a crowd of friends and family from Barrie for the game.
The goal was Legwand's first in the NHL.
"Hopefully that goal is the first of many," he said.
LOOSE LEAFS: The Predators' plane was beset by mechanical difficulties after the team's game in Chicago on Sunday. Eventually, the flight to Toronto was scrubbed. Instead, the team arrived yesterday at noon ... Last night was centre Steve Sullivan's 200th NHL game ... Centre Mats Sundin was tied for the NHL lead in plus/minus with plus five before last night ... Nashville blocked 11 shots to Toronto's five last night.
The Predators are 1-0-1 against the Leafs in franchise history.

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