Leafs re-sign Yushkevich; trade Cote

TORONTO (CP) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed restricted free agent defenceman Dimitri Yushkevich to a multi-year deal.
To make room on their roster, the Leafs then traded veteran defenceman Sylvain Cote to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2001 entry draft and another conditional draft pick.
Yushkevich, 27, missed all of training camp and the Leafs' first three regular season games before finally reaching agreement. The Russian blue-liner was a key cog in the Leafs' march to the Eastern Conference final in last spring's playoffs.
The seven-year veteran had six goals, 22 assists, 88 penalty minutes and was plus--25 in 78 games last season. The hard-hitting Yushkevich was also an important influence in the development of fellow Russian defenceman Daniil Markov.
The Leafs were looking to cut down their payroll after re-signing Yushkevich. Cote, 33, is earning $1.5 million US this season. He was acquired in March 1998 from Washington in exchange for defenceman Jeff Brown.
Cote had five goals, 24 assists and was plus--22 in 79 games last season.
The Hawks were looking for help on the blue-line while unsigned defenceman Boris Mironov remains in a contract stalemate.

Bert's back on blades
Blue Jays boot game
Bombers drop Peterson
Felicien rebuilds race

Visit our Polls Archive

SLAM! Sports SLAM! Galleries Help CANOE