Leafs Watch

By LANCE HORNBY -- Toronto Sun LET'S MAKE A DEAL: The Maple Leafs continue to look for a way to clear a roster spot for defenceman Dimitri Yushkevich by possibly dealing another defenceman.
That trade could come in the next couple of days, though it's looking like it won't be Sylvain Cote to the Canadiens. Cote's agent, Bob Sauve, told Montreal newspapers that if his client is dealt, he would like to end up somewhere with an eastern U.S. club by next season.
Cote, 33, is in the final year of a five-year contract and is getting $1.5 million this season and would be eligible for free agency.
Cote spent 12 years with Hartford and Washington.
Though they would love to have the dependable veteran on their blue line, Montreal's general manager, Rejean Houle, is not interested in getting Cote for just one year.
Meanwhile, the Leafs are willing to settle for a draft pick as they shop Cote, perhaps Yushkevich and mothballed wingers Derek and Kris King around the league.
Clubs interested in defencemen include Carolina, which has no power-play point men; Chicago, which needs depth as well; St. Louis, Vancouver and Boston. Leafs general manager/coach Pat Quinn might avoid dealing within the division with the Bruins.
THE SHOOTer: Left winger Sergei Berezin led the NHL in shots heading into last night's action with 18 in three games. Theo Fleury of the Rangers has 14.
Berezin's total puts him on a pace for 492 by season's end and though it would pass last year's leader, Paul Kariya, who had 429, it wouldn't be a league record. Phil Esposito took 550 shots during the 1970-71 season -- 121 more than Kariya had last season.
Centre Mats Sundin's six points in three games and Curtis Joseph's 0.67 goals-against average make them candidates for NHL player-of-the-week honours, though Owen Nolan collected a six-point night for the Sharks.
TOUGH TO BEAT: Ron Tugnutt likely will be in goal tomorrow against Toronto after the Senators veteran missed time with injuries. Patrick Lalime was off to a good start with two wins but Tugnutt replaced him last night in the first period against Boston. In two of three victories so far, the Leafs beat top-notch goaltending in Montreal's Jeff Hackett and Colorado's Patrick Roy.
DOWN EAST LEAFS: Nikolai Antropov makes his official pro debut tonight when 0-2 St. John's takes on the Quebec Citadels at home. Antropov, the 10th pick overall in the 1998 entry draft, is slated to play on a line with Vladimir Antipov and Adam Mair.

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