Leafs pieces a difficult fit

By TIM WHARNSBY -- Toronto Sun As Pat Quinn filled in the final squares of his 23-player roster yesterday, he talked in circles.
The Maple Leafs general manager/coach indicated Kevyn Adams played well enough to crack the lineup. Yet, the young centre was demoted to St. John's.
Quinn also was impressed with the way Nikolai Antropov strutted his stuff at camp. Yet, the 6-foot-5 Kazakh also was on the bus leaving for St. John's.
Clearly, these were moves Quinn didn't want to make. However, with the NHL roster-setting deadline passing in the afternoon and Quinn's inability to trade a veteran forward or two, Adams and Antropov will spend time in the American Hockey League until the Leafs straighten out their numbers. It was easier to demote Adams and Antropov because they have two-way contracts.

ROSTER DECISIONS
With the signing of Bryan Berard, defenceman Terran Sandwith also was sent to St. John's. Forward Darrin Shannon was given his outright release and will join the Chicago Wolves of the IHL.
"We still have some roster decisions that will be dealt with as soon as we go forward," Quinn said.
Translation: There are trades to be made. A Western Conference team is interested in Derek King.
Quinn sent a message to King and Kris King during practice when he put them on a line with centre Alyn McCauley. McCauley, 22, was designated a "non-roster player" by Quinn, meaning he is not on the 23-man roster and is not eligible until the Leafs determine he is ready.
McCauley and the two Kings will not be in the lineup when the Leafs open the season tomorrow in Montreal.
"You can lump five or six wingers in a group who can play or cannot play on this team," Quinn said. "Kris and Derek are in that five- or six-player group."
Derek King, who contributed 24 goals last season but stumbled during the playoffs with just one goal in 16 games, is trying to remain positive with his bleak situation. The 32-year-old will earn $1.65 million US in the third year of a four-year contract.
"This team has a lot of tough decisions with salaries, ages and young kids who are coming up and playing well," he said. "Maybe I'm one of those guys who is an easy decision. Hopefully, that is not the case because I would rather stay here.
"I feel I can help this team. I don't know how many years I have left playing this game. I will enjoy the rest of my years and hopefully I will finish up here.
"I still feel part of the team. Nobody has made me feel any different."
Kris King, 33, also is in the second-last season of his no-trade contract.
"I hope what I bring to the room and what I do on the ice is something we need," he said. "I want to be part of this team. If I don't play every day, then I will accept that and be ready when called upon."
Antropov, 19, and Adams, 25 next week, may return soon.
"There is always a chance for that," Quinn said. "I'm not ruling it out. We wanted (Antropov) to start at the pro level and see if he is ready for that challenge. We were quite pleased with what we saw here.
"Adams merited a long discussion," Quinn said. "In some respects, the decision was made for today. If he is not an NHLer, he is very close."
Adams understood Quinn's decision.
"The financial aspect of the game is a huge reality these days," Adams said. "That's fine. I accept that part of the game. Hopefully, when I'm 32 or 35 or 28, whatever the age might be, and I'm in a position where I have that contract, then that comfort zone is going to be there for me."

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