Cote does slow burn over being traded

By TIM WHARNSBY -- Toronto Sun Sylvain Cote is quick on his skates. But the Maple Leafs were quicker in getting rid of him.
If Cote had made a lightning decision this week to sign a contract extension, the defenceman likely still would be with the Leafs.
But Cote and his agent Bob Sauve were slow off the mark and before they were prepared to seriously negotiate, the Leafs traded him.
Cote, 33, was shipped off to Chicago yesterday in exchange for a 2001 second-round pick and a conditional pick, a 2001 fourth-round selection.
This move was made necessary when defenceman Dimitri Yushkevich finally got around to signing his three-year, $5.8-million US contract that will pay him $1.6 million this season, $2 million in 2000-01 and $2.2 the following season.
Cote becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
"We inquired whether he'd extend his contract and he said no," Leafs general manager/coach Pat Quinn said. "So that kind of helped us reach the decision as to who would be summoned to move along."
An emotional Cote disputed Quinn's story.
"I can say that's a pure lie," he said. "My agent called (Leafs executive) Bill Watters (yesterday) 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."
Actually, the Leafs called Sauve last Sunday to inquire about the possibility of a contract extension. The agent told the Leafs, he would get back to them at the end of the week, which was yesterday.
In the meantime, Cote to the Canadiens rumours heated up in Toronto and Montreal. Sauve called the Leafs on Wednesday to see what was up.
The Leafs said Montreal was not the destination and ideas on a contract extension were exchanged. Cote's camp asked about the possibility of a no-trade clause to certain teams. The Leafs dismissed it.
Then on Thursday, the Blackhawks came to the trade table with a second-round pick, an offer the Leafs did not want to pass on.
By the time Sauve called yesterday morning, Quinn and Watters were putting the final touches on the Yushkevich contract and trade with Chicago.
"We were willing to talk," Sauve said.
Two years ago, the Capitals traded Cote to Toronto and Washington advanced to the Stanley Cup final. Now Cote, in his 15th season, may miss out on another chance to reach the final.
"That is part of the business," said Cote, who left the Air Canada Centre with tears in his eyes. "It's not my choice. Teams do things for its own best interests."
Cote participated in an 11 a.m. practice yesterday and wasn't told about the move until Quinn called him aside in the dressing room after practice.
Initially, Cote didn't seem keen on reporting to Chicago, saying he was going to his Washington, D.C. -area home to talk things over with his wife. But Sauve said his client will report to Chicago today.
Yushkevich arrived in Toronto Thursday evening and practised yesterday. He felt sorry for Cote, but said his contract squabble was worth it. His side originally was asking for $3.3 million US a season.
Yushkevich lost nearly $80,000 US by missing the first week of the regular season.
"I think it was worth it," he said. "I'm not the first player who has held out and I won't be the last one. It was a good experience. I had a good month in Russia. I missed training camp, but I had fun helping out my old Russian team (Yaroslavl)."

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