Yushkevich expects trade

By TIM WHARNSBY -- Toronto Sun Dimitri Yushkevich feels his days with the Maple Leafs may be numbered.
While the rugged defenceman wants to remain in Toronto, he believes the organization he bled for in the playoffs last spring is looking to move him.
"My true feeling is they are going to bring me back to trade me, or just trade me," Yushkevich said from his Philadelphia-area home yesterday.
"What they tell me is that they will try to change their roster, try to make some deals. I think some guys want to keep me in the organization."
It is believed Leafs general manager/coach Pat Quinn wants to trade Yushkevich. Quinn was peeved at the defenceman's public threat last week to go back to Europe, following agent Mark Gandler's contention that the Leafs played favourites in signing Bryan Berard first.

Matter of interpretation
Yushkevich refused to comment on that issue.
"I don't want to say anything now that would put me against the team," Yushkevich said. "I think they have interpreted everything I have said the way they want.
"It seems like the fans and reporters in Toronto want me back. But for some reason, the (Leafs) feels some sort of need to protect themselves against the fans, so they have been using everything I've said against me.
Quinn fired some shots back at Yushkevich on Tuesday, wondering out loud whether Yushkevich's stellar 1998-99 season stemmed from him being in the final year of his contract.
"(Quinn) is a very good coach," Yushkevich said. "I know that he knows why I play hard -- to win. Last season we had so many meetings, he should know that.
"I play hard not because I was in the last year of my contract (nor) because I like the coaches. I have played hard the past three seasons. Last year, he helped me get better and I appreciate that."
Yushkevich virtually has agreed to a three-year, $5.85-million US contract. But in order to finalize the deal the Leafs have to clear a spot on the roster.
Quinn can afford to take his time because of the Leafs' strong start and the fact they save about $7,000 US each day Yushkevich is off the roster.
Furthermore, most NHL general managers like to see how their teams perform through 10 games before making any major moves.
Quinn agreed that is usually the standard.
"But there are exceptions," he said. "We traded (Mathieu Schneider) for (Alexander) Karpovtsev two games into last season."
In the meantime, Yushkevich is working out twice daily -- once on the ice and once in the weight room -- hoping for an early resolution to this ugly mess.
"I'm trying not to concentrate on this situation because it's frustrating," said Yushkevich, who played seven games in Russia before returning to North America last week. "I feel I've done everything I can."

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