Yushkevich and McCauley eager for Ottawa

TORONTO (CP) -- Dimitri Yushkevich and Alyn McCauley are eager to get into the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup for an NHL showdown with the Ottawa Senators Saturday night.
All the Leafs are pumped.
"A couple of unbeaten teams on Hockey Night In Canada -- that's what it's all about," forward Garry Valk said as the Leafs headed to the airport after practice Friday.
Yushkevich, who missed training camp and the opening three games of Toronto's season in a contract impasse, finally signed a new deal -- worth slightly less than $2 million US a season and believed to be for three years -- and rejoined his teammates for a pre-flight workout.
"I'm glad to be back," said the Leafs' best all-around defenceman, who practised with a team in Russia in September. "I couldn't have expected a better meeting with the guys.
"Everybody was excited to see me and, at the same time, I was really impressed with the (confident) mood in the dressing room. I'm in good shape and I'm looking forward to playing. I am ready to play Ottawa."
To make room on the roster, defenceman Sylvain Cote was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for a second-round 2001 entry draft pick and future considerations.
McCauley hasn't played since suffering a concussion last March 3. He's been ready to resume his career since the season began, and coach Pat Quinn said he intends to insert him tonight. It's a logical game in which to ease the talented centre back in since he'll feel comfortable in Ottawa, where he earned selection while captain of the 67's as Canadian junior player of the year in 1997.
A familiar face also will be returning to the Senators' lineup as goaltender Ron Tugnutt, having recovered from a strained left knee, will get his first start of the new season. Tugnutt's 1.79 goals-against average was the lowest in the NHL last season, and Toronto's Curtis Joseph was a Vezina Trophy finalist. So, don't expect a lot of goals.
"I'm a Toronto guy, I grew up with the Leafs, but I haven't played against them much," Tugnutt said of the matchup after the Senators' Friday skate in their Corel Centre home in Kanata, Ont. "I know they've gained a lot of confidence, which Cujo helps to give them.
"They have a great leader in Sundin, and they're a very well-balanced team. With the speed we have, I think we can match their speed. I think it will be a pretty fast-paced game."
Joseph is aware that the Senators "have a lot of weapons."
"It's going to be a big test for us," Joseph said. "We're not going to surprise many teams. Everybody is going to be up for the Maple Leafs this year because we had a real good year last year."
Each team has won its first three games.
"We're 3-0, yes, but this is a big game and it's going to be a battle," Joseph added.
He's relieved by Yushkevich's return.
"Yushkie is a warrior," Joseph said. "He had the daunting task of taking on Jaromir Jagr (in the '99 playoffs) and did a great job. He's a player who can get in an opponent's face."
Joseph said he'll miss Cote.
"He's a great team guy who gets along with everybody," Joseph said. "He's just a classy guy.
"He's a very good defenceman, and a great skater. It's tough to lose a character guy like him. Chicago definitely got a good player."
"He's a terrific soldier," said Quinn. "He works hard every day."
Cote, 33, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Quinn said the Leafs "inquired whether he'd extend his contract and he said no so that kind of helped us reach the decision as to who would be summoned to move along."
Cote broke down in his first attempt at saying goodbye to reporters.
"It's tough not to be emotional about it," he said. "I'm leaving a great bunch of guys."
He disagreed with Quinn's version of the parting.
"I can say that's pure lie," he said. "My agent called (assistant general manager) Bill Watters (Friday morning) because there was supposed to be a meeting between the two of them for an extension and Mr. Watters was too busy doing the trade and never returned his call.
"There was no negotiating at all."
Watters tried to clarify the situation. He said he asked Cote's agent earlier in the week if Cote would consider re-signing. The response: at the right price. A price was never brought up, Watters said.
"I told him what we'd be interested in. He didn't indicate one way or the other, other than he didn't want his guy to go to Montreal. He only called me back to say he wanted a no-trade provision, and we wouldn't provide it. That was the end of the conversation. I don't know what the lie is about. We certainly offered to extend the contract. The fact that he only called back with a no-trade clause . . . that was a deal-stopper."
Cote was unsure if or when he'd report to the Blackhawks.
The Senators are aware that the additions of Yushkevich and McCauley would lift the Leafs' spirits.
"They've got good speed up front and good shooters," said captain Daniel Alfredsson. "We have to get our forecheck going."
The absence of star centre Alexei Yashin hasn't been felt -- yet.
"We don't rely on one guy," said Alfredsson. "We know we can take care of business in both ends. We have a good mix of young and veteran players. Everybody is pushing each other."

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