TSN: Sources tell TSN that the Leafs have told Marchment they will not exercise an option to sign him to a contract for the 2005-06 NHL season.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=138098

Randy: This was not unexpected, since they've already signed Brad Brown.

Phil Coffey: Saying the Toronto Maple Leafs are the most scrutinized team in the NHL is like saying it gets cold in the winter outside the Air Canada Centre. [cut] If either Lindros or Allison can bounce back and not make Sundin a one-man show, then the Leafs will be in the thick of things in the Eastern Conference. If both players rebound, then ...

http://www.nhl.com/features/preview05/tor_main092805.html

Randy: Phil didn't finish that last sentence with anything spectacular. Let me finish it for him. If both players rebound, then the Leafs are the best team in the NHL.

CP: Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is planning a $40-million renovation of the Air Canada Centre in conjunction with the building's 10-year anniversary in 2009, according to a report.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=137754

Randy: The original cost was $265M. Total cost now exceeds $300M. Total cost to the CDNian tax payers? $0M. I love the ACC.

CP: Brandon Bochenski scored three goals with an assist while linemate Jason Spezza added a goal and three assists to lead the Ottawa Senators past the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-4 in exhibition play Sunday night.

http://www.torontomapleleafs.com/story.ml?n=4990

Randy: The bad news is that Tellqvist was in net for the entire game. Still the favorite to make the team as Belfour's backup. Toronto was outshot 15-4 in the first period. The good news is that Wellwood netted two points on the power play. He's pretty much a lock to make the team now. For Ottawa, the line of Bochenski, Spezza and Heatley looks hot.

Net: Belfour - Tellqvist

Dmen:

• McCabe - Kaberle
• Klee - Khavanov
• Berg - Colaiacovo
• Brown

Forwards:

• Antropov - Sundin - Tucker
• Stajan - Lindros - Czerkawski
• Wellwood -  Allison - O'Neill
• Belak - Kilger - Domi
• Perrott - Ponikarovsky

On October 8th 2005, I'm having a hockey party to celebrate the return of the longest running TV series in the history of the world. After a one year absense, Hockey Night in Canada is back. The party will start at 7PM when the Leafs host the Habs. If you'd like to attend, then send me an email. No wives or children allowed, as my wife and kids will not be around to entertain them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hockey_Night_in_Canada

Toronto Marlies bound are Todd Ford (G), Brendan Bell (D), Dominic D’Amour (D), Jeremy Williams (F), Chris St. Jacques (F), John Mitchell (F), Mike Hoffman (F), Tyson Marsh (D), Roman Kukumberg (F), Luke Fulghum (F), Shaun Landolt (F), Steven Later (D), Colin Murphy (F), Dominic Noel (F), Brett Engelhardt (D), Tyler Beechey (F), Kris Newbury (F), Martin Sagat (F) and Jan Steber (F).

I really thought Kukumberg had a chance, but didn't hear much at all from him during training camp.

CP: Wellwood put Toronto up 2-1 at 4:00 of the second period.  [cut] Wellwood scored again at 19:45 of the second.

http://www.torontomapleleafs.com/story.ml?n=4985

Randy: Unless he sucks during the rest of the pre-season, Kyle just made the team. One of three Leafs to lead the OHL in scoring (Lindros, Allison).

CP: Ed Belfour isn't over the hill yet, and Jeff O'Neill and Mariusz Czerkawski might have productive seasons left in them too. [cut] Defenceman Alexander Khavanov picked up three assists.

http://www.torontomapleleafs.com/story.ml?n=4980

lips0fven0m: Three hours of school, 4 hours of sitting at home, THEN ITS LEAF TIME BABY!

http://www.livejournal.com/users/lips0fven0m/70944.html

Randy: 9 hours of work. 1/2 hour drive... GET BEER! Then its Leaf time baby!

AP: Jason Spezza had a goal and two assists to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night in the preseason opener for both teams. Dany Heatley also had two assists in his first game for Ottawa.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2005091821&prov=ap

The Leafs 2005-6 schedule on your Palm.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/newsisfree/newscat48?m=22491

Jacob Murphy: Here is a list of all of the rule changes, and how it will affect (improve?) play.

No more ties

• Following a scoreless five-minute overtime, three players from each team participate in a shootout.
• Each team takes three shots. The team with the most goals after those six shots wins.
• If the score remains tied, the shootout will proceed to a “sudden death” format.
• If a game is decided by a shootout, the final score will give the winning team one more goal than its opponent, based on the score at the end of overtime.

Two-line passes

• Two-line passes will now be legal. The centre-red line will be ignored for off-side purposes.
• The “tag-up” off-side rule returns, allowing play to continue if offensive players who preceded the puck into the zone return to the blue-line and “tag” it.

Restrictions on goalies

• The dimensions of goaltender equipment will be reduced by approximately 11 per cent. In addition to a one-inch reduction (to 11 inches) in the width of legpads, the blocking glove, upper-body protector, pants and jersey also will be reduced in size.
• Penalties for goalies using oversizing equipment are: a two-game suspension, $25,000 fine for the team and trainer gets fined $1,000.
• Goalies may play the puck behind the goal-line only in a trapezoid-shaped area defined by lines that begin six feet from either goal post and extend diagonally to points 28 feet apart at the end boards.

Bigger Offensive Zone

• The blue-lines will be moved closer together to create an additional four feet in each of the offensive zones. That reduces the size of the neutral zone to 50 feet from 54 feet.
• The goal-lines will be moved two feet, to 11 feet from the end boards.
• The width of blue-lines and centre-red line remains unchanged.

Changes to icing

• A team that ices the puck cannot make a line change prior to the ensuing face-off.
• Touch remains in effect but linesmen will be given more discretion to wave off icing infractions if they are deemed the result of an attempted pass.

Changes to instigator rule

• A player who instigates a fight in the final five minutes of a game will receive a game misconduct and an automatic one-game suspension. The length of suspension would double for each additional incident.
• In addition, the player’s coach will be fined $10,000 US, a fine that would double for each such incident.

Areas of emphasis for officials

• Zero tolerance on interference, hooking and holding/obstruction.
• Goalies who play the puck behind the goal-line but outside the designated puck-handling area will be penalized for delay of game.
• Goaltenders will be penalized for delaying the game if they “freeze” the puck unnecessarily.
• Any player who shoots the puck directly over the glass in his defending zone will be penalized for delay of game.

Unsportsmanlike conduct

• The league will review and assess fines to players who dive, embellish a fall or a reaction, or who feign injury in an attempt to draw penalties.
• The first such incident will result in a warning letter; the second will result in a $1,000 fine; the third will result in a $2,000 fine; and the fourth incident will result in a one-game suspension.
• Public complaints or derogatory comments toward the game also will result in fines.

http://www.sports-weblog.com/nhl-rule-changes/

Randy: The one rule I absolutely cannot agree with is the goaltender handling the puck rules. The goalie should be allowed to handle the puck anywhere on the ice. This creates interesting opportunities, mostly for the other team, but also prevents injuries by eliminating races for pucks in the corner.

TSN: According to a report in the Toronto Sun, the NHLPA has filed a grievance on behalf of Owen Nolan after the Toronto Maple Leafs held back the $5.6 million US option on his 2004-05 contract.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=136400

Leafs: The Toronto Maple Leafs signed unrestricted free-agent winger Mariusz Czerkawski to a one-year contract Friday.

http://www.torontomapleleafs.com/story.ml?n=4960

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=NhtMAwjk0DM