Perreault earning his keep

By TIM WHARNSBY -- Toronto Sun Maple Leaf Gardens and Yanic Perreault had something in common this past summer.
The Leafs deemed them both financial burdens.
When Perreault was awarded a $1.05-million US salary in arbitration in early August, the Leafs felt the offensive centre was too costly.
But just 10 weeks later, Perreault has made a comeback in the eyes of Leafs management.
The seven-year NHL veteran played his first game on the Leafs' No. 1 line last night in the absence of injured captain Mats Sundin and responded with the game-winning goal and an assist.
"I like a challenge like that," Perreault said. "Obviously I want to show them I can do the job. Pat allows his players to do what they do best."
The goal not only marked his first of the season, it was Perreault's first game-winning goal since scoring the Leafs' only game winner in the Eastern Conference final last spring, which Toronto lost four games to one to the Buffalo Sabres.
Perreault has one goal and five assists in five games this season.
"It's not that we didn't like Yanic," Leafs general manager/coach Pat Quinn said. "We always liked Yanic. We just didn't agree with how much he thought he should be paid."
In the arbitration hearing, the Leafs offered to pay Perreault $825,000 US. Perreault was hoping to land a contract worth $1.35 million a season.
After the native of Sherbrooke, Que., was awarded his windfall, Quinn and his lieutenants discussed the possibility of exercising the club's right to walk away from Perreault's salary, thus allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. Trading him also was an option.
But with the uncertain status of centre Alyn McCauley, who was recovering from a concussion, the Leafs kept Perreault. At training camp, he was one of the Leafs' better forwards.
"It was a tough summer for me," Perreault said. "There was a lot of talk about different trades and all that. I think the main thing is I came to training camp with the attitude that I wanted to stay here and play for Toronto.
"I knew I could help this hockey team."
Still, most observers around the training camp felt Perreault wouldn't start the season with the Leafs. The 28-year-old didn't feel that way.
"It's never fun to go to arbitration," Perreault said. "That's the business side. I was just happy my contract was done and that I wouldn't miss any time during training camp."

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